Animal Science

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http://animalscience.ag.utk.edu/Teaching-Graduate.html

Alan G. Mathew, Head
J. Lannett Edwards, Director of Graduate Studies

The Department of Animal Science offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in Animal Science. Areas of research emphasis are physiology (e.g. ruminant and monogastric nutrition, reproduction and stress) and health and well-being (e.g. immunology, microbiology, and pre-harvest food safety). Programs emphasize experiential learning with animal species, including beef and dairy cattle, poultry, swine, small ruminants, and animal models for human disease. See the Department graduate program website for a listing of graduate research faculty and their specific research focus areas (http://animalscience.ag.utk.edu/Teaching-GraduateFaculty.html).

Admission
To be considered for admission, students must have at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale in a completed undergraduate degree program in Animal Science or related field (or at least a 3.0 GPA each term during the junior and senior years). If the applicant has an unsatisfactory GPA, acceptance may be on a probationary basis. In this case, the student is required to complete a minimum of 9 hours of graduate coursework and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remove the probationary status. Prerequisite courses may be required if the applicant has insufficient background.

In addition to the materials to be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions, applicants must submit directly to the Department of Animal Science Graduate Program Office:
• A completed Animal Science academic and personal information form highlighting educational and career goals and relevant experience (completing the online application would suffice for meeting this requirement).
• Completed Animal Science rating forms submitted by at least three individuals familiar with the applicant’s scholastic ability and professional potential. At least two of the three individuals requested to provide a rating form must be from the applicant’s former academic institution(s). If the applicant was previously enrolled in a graduate program, one rating form must be completed by the graduate mentor (major professor).

Admission will be contingent upon evaluation of the applicant’s undergraduate or graduate grade point average, Graduate Record Examination scores, information provided by evaluators or others, educational and career goals, relevant experience, and scores from the TOEFL or IELTS, if applicable. Applicants to the PhD program normally should have completed a M.S. degree with thesis before beginning the doctoral program. Final admission is contingent upon the applicant obtaining a commitment from a graduate research faculty member to serve as her/his graduate mentor (major professor).

Student Responsibilities and Retention Standards
Students must be fully committed to their graduate program, participate in departmental and professional activities, and assume full responsibility for knowledge and compliance with rules and regulations of the Graduate Council and Department requirements stated in the Animal Science Graduate Student Handbook for their degree program. Retention is dependent on the student maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in graduate courses taken at UT and completing other milestones in a timely manner as outlined in the Animal Science Graduate Student Handbook (e.g. forming a committee, completion of coursework, submitting a research proposal, making progress in research objectives, and thesis/dissertation preparation).

Academic Probation
A graduate student will be placed on academic probation when the UT cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below a 3.0, and at least 6 hours of graduate coursework have been completed. For doctoral students, coursework for the M.S. degree, whether taken at UT or elsewhere, will not be included in cumulative GPA calculations. A student will be allowed to continue graduate study in subsequent semesters if each semester’s GPA is a 3.0 or greater. Upon achieving a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, the student will be removed from probationary status. ANSC 511 and AGNR 512 hours that were not pre-approved by the Department’s Graduate Committee will not be used in probation GPA calculations.

Dismissal
A graduate student earning less than a 3.0 semester grade point average while on academic probation may be dismissed from the program. Other reasons for dismissal include failure to make adequate progress towards other degree requirements (e.g., research project, thesis/dissertation preparation), academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, falsification of data), or other forms of gross misconduct as defined by the Office of Equity and Diversity, Human Resources, Dean of Students’ Office, Hilltopics or Graduate Council. Dismissal will be accomplished by written notice to the student with a copy to The Graduate School.

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