Graduate Degree Program Summary
Graduate programs offered
Earn a Graduate Degree
- MS in Animal Science (30 cr, Option I only) with optional specialization:
- Animal Breeding and Genetics
- Meat Science and Muscle Biology
- Nonruminant Nutrition
- Physiology
- Ruminant Nutrition
- PhD in Animal Science (90 cr) with optional specialization:
- Animal Breeding and Genetics
- Meat Science and Muscle Biology
- Nonruminant Nutrition
- Physiology
- Ruminant Nutrition
- Minor in Beef Cattle Nutrition with any graduate degree program, subject to approval (apply to degree program, add minor after enrolling)
Areas of Study
These informal areas of focus may help to shape your course of study but they will not appear on transcripts.
- Animal Breeding and Genetics
- Non-Ruminant Nutrition
- Ruminant Nutrition
Online and Distance Opportunities
Some online coursework may be available for your program; contact dept. for details.Contacts for Animal Science
Ask a question
Other Ways to Connect
On the Web
Animal Science
Graduate Chair
Dr. Ron Lewis
Graduate Secretary
Heather Wilson
Campus Address
C203 Animal Science
Lincoln NE 68583-0908
Application checklist and deadlines
1. Required by Graduate Studies
Submit these items as part of the standard steps to admission.
- Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee
- One set of transcripts uploaded to MyRED
- If English is not your native language: verification of English proficiency
- If you are not a US citizen and you expect an F or J visa: financial information
2. Required by Animal Science
After you apply, allow one business day for us to set up your access so you can complete these requirements via MyRED.
- Entrance exam(s): GRE
- Minimum English proficiency: Paper TOEFL 550, Internet TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5
- Three recommendation letters
- Statement of goals and objectives
When sending GRE or TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.
Application Deadlines for Animal Science
- For financial consideration: January 7 for Fall.
- Otherwise: February 1 for Summer. March 1 for Fall. September 1 for Spring.
Application/admission is for entry in a specific term and year. Our academic year is divided into 3 terms: Fall (August-December), Spring (January-May), and Summer (multiple sessions May-August). Some programs accept new students only in certain terms and/or years.
Description
The Department of Animal Science offers graduate study emphasizing animal breeding and genetics, meat and poultry products, non-ruminant and ruminant nutrition, and physiology. Analytical laboratories and animal facilities are available for graduate research.
The department's contemporary facilities enhance basic and applied research capabilities for intensive large animal, poultry, and laboratory animal work. An extensive, federally inspected meat laboratory is available for meat and poultry research. In addition, the department maintains facilities 40 minutes away from Lincoln for research in all disciplines of beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and swine. Graduate programs conduct collaborative research at four university district research and extension centers and the USDA Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska.
Courses and More
- Students work with an advisor to choose courses, create a plan of study, and follow the Steps to Degree Completion. See courses in:
- Cost of attendance differs from one student to another. Try our Cost Estimator or see Tuition, Fees, and Funding for details.
Faculty and research
Where available, names link to bios or homepages and contact card icons () link to directory listings with address, phone, and email.
Ruminant Nutrition; Protein and Energy Nutrition; Animal Management Techniques to Improve Production EfficiencyMarvel L. Baker Department Head
Environmental-Nutritional Interactions in Feedlots; Grain Processing and Starch Use; Corn Byproduct Utilization; Protein Requirements of Feedlot Cattle; Nutritional Effects on Pathogen Excretion
Ruminant and Non-Ruminant Microbial Ecology; Microbial Meta-Functional Genomics; Host-Microbe Interactions
Graduate Faculty Associate
Ruminant Nutrition; Cow/Calf and Range Management; Grazing Systems; Enhancing Native Range Resources
Mathematical Biology, Bioinformatics, Game Theory, and OptimizationGraduate Faculty Associate
Feedlot Nutrition Management; Yearling Production Systems, Nutrition and Management Effects on Environment
Graduate Faculty Associate
Graduate Faculty Associate
Quantitative Genetics; Molecular Information in Genetic Evaluations; Commercial Ranch Genetic Evaluations
Ruminant Nutrition
Value-Added and Processed Meats Quality; Safety and Nutritional Value; Nitrate/Nitric Oxide Chemistry
This summary page is maintained by Graduate Studies.
For additional details check out the dept./program website: Animal Science.
Departments: Have an update for this summary? Contact Kurt Mueller.