Animal & Dairy Science: Academic Programs
Graduate Program Overview
- Admission
- Application Materials
- Requirements for Admission
- Application Deadlines
- Financial Assistance
The Department of Animal & Dairy Science offers programs of study leading to the M.S. degree in Animal Science or Dairy Science and the Ph.D. degree in Animal & Dairy Science with special emphasis in biotechnology, breeding and genetics, meats and muscle biology, nutrition, reproductive physiology, or production management. In addition, an interdepartmental program leading to the Ph.D. degree in animal nutrition is available. The department has full-time faculty members located in Athens and Tifton. Graduate courses in Animal and Dairy Science along with graduate courses available in the Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Food Science, Microbiology, Poultry Science, and Statistics Departments as well as the College of Veterinary Medicine provide basic and applied training for the Animal & Dairy Science student. A candidate for the M.S. degree must complete at least 24 semester hours of graduate course work and 6 hours of thesis. Course work necessary for the Ph.D. degree is determined by the candidate's major professor and advisory committee. There are no formal minor or language requirements.
See Also: Faculty Research and Teaching Interests
For more information on the Department of Animal & Dairy Science graduate program, contact Mark A. Froetschel, Graduate Coordinator.
Admission
See Also: UGA Graduate School
Admission status, credit requirements, transfer credits accepted, academic standards, residence requirements, and time limits conform to regulations as given by the Graduate School and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Students with strong backgrounds in the biological and/or animal or dairy sciences are encouraged to apply.
Application Materials
When applying to the Department of Animal & Dairy Science, the application packet and a copy of The University of Georgia Graduate Bulletin can be obtained from the University of Georgia Graduate School by writing to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
The University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602 U.S.A.
email: gradadm@uga.edu
An electronic version is available on the Graduate School's web page. Applicants are responsible for the submission of all application materials required for admission.
The following information must be submitted to the Graduate School:
- General Application for admission
- Application validation form (if applying electronically)
- Application-processing fee of $50
- Two official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) entrance test scores
- Official TOEFL scores (for applicants whose primary language is not English)
The following information should be sent directly to the Department of Animal & Dairy Science Graduate Coordinator:
- Three letters of recommendation with a completed Graduate School Letter of Recommendation form
- A statement of purpose which outlines the reasons for wishing to pursue an advanced degree as well as interests and long-term goals
Requirements for Admission
All admissions are based on a favorable evaluation by the departmental graduate committee and acceptance by the Graduate School. Transcripts, GRE scores, and three favorable letters of recommendation are required. Visitation by applicants is encouraged. Minimum GPA and GRE scores can be variable; however, general guidelines for admission are:
- Applicant earned a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. university
or college.
- Master of Science degree:
- Overall GPA of 2.8 - 3.0* and at least 1000 on the aptitude (verbal and quantitative) portion of the GRE; or
- Overall GPA of 3.1-3.4 and at least 900 on the aptitude portion of the GRE; or
- Overall
GPA of 3.4 and at least 850 on the aptitude portion
of the GRE.
(* Based on all courses for the baccalaureate degree and A = 4.0.)
- Doctor of Philosophy degree:
- Completion of M.S. program (exceptions must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator and Department Head) and GPA on M.S. program of 3.0 and at least 1000 on the GRE (aptitude portion).
- Master of Science degree:
- Applicant has earned a baccalaureate degree or higher from
a foreign university or college.
Due to the lack of uniformity in foreign transcripts, all students will be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).- Quantitative part of the GRE aptitude score-minimum of 500.
- TOEFL score-minimum 550.
When an application is received in the Office of Graduate Admissions, a copy of the application and related documents are sent to the Department of Animal & Dairy Science. Once all relevant materials are received and the application is complete, the applicant's admission packet is circulated among the Graduate Committee of the department for evaluation. The Graduate Coordinator then sends to the Graduate School a recommendation of admission or non-admission and other requirements an applicant must fulfill. The Office of Graduate Admissions has the responsibility of reviewing the recommendation and notifying the applicant that he/she is either approved or denied admission. The Dean of the Graduate School makes the final decision of acceptance or non-acceptance. Upon acceptance by the Graduate School and notification of the Department, a letter will be sent to the successful candidate by the Graduate Coordinator indicating the name of his/her advisor and other pertinent information.
Successful admission into the Department of Animal & Dairy Science is dependent upon meeting the admission requirements, available space, and the willingness of a Graduate Faculty member to serve as the student's major professor. It is, therefore, in the applicant's best interest to review the projects and research interests of the Department's Graduate Faculty, and enter into some type of correspondence with them if an appropriate match is found. Applicants should indicate a specialty of interest and state their reasons and goals for pursuing an advanced degree in Animal & Dairy Science.
Application Deadlines
The Graduate School sets deadline dates for the receipt of applications and supporting credentials. It is recommended that applicants apply as early as possible up to one year in advance of the desired matriculation date. The deadline dates are as follows:
| Semester | Domestic Applicants | Foreign Applicants |
| Fall | July 1 | May 15 |
| Spring | November 15 | October 15 |
| Summer (pre-session) | April 1 | — |
| Summer (all other sessions) | May 1 | February 15 |
Applicants who wish to be considered for the Graduate School assistantship competition, must be admitted as prospective degree candidates by February 15. Therefore, all application admission materials must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by January 1 to insure that they are processed in time for the competition.
Financial Assistance
University and department research and teaching assistantships are available for qualified applicants. Assistantships for the 2003-04 year carry a stipend of $14,043 for Ph.D. candidates and $12,993 for M.S. candidates for a 12-month appointment. In addition, resident or nonresident students awarded assistantships pay only $418.00 per semester in tuition and fees.
Funds for graduate student support come from different sources and are available on a competitive basis. Sources include general university awards, departmental assistantships, and sponsored research programs. After acceptance into the graduate program, a student chosen to receive a departmental assistantship will be contacted by their major professor. Grant funds are a potential source of funding for graduate students. It is recommended that prospective students make direct contact with faculty working in their areas of interest regarding potential sources of funding.
Each year the Graduate School selects university-wide graduate assistants from a list of highly qualified departmental nominees. Selections are held in early March for the next academic year. Thus, applicants who wish to be considered for the Graduate School assistantship competition, must be admitted as prospective degree candidates by February 15. Retention of an assistantship is contingent upon a graduate student remaining in good academic standing and availability of budgeted funds.