IX. Graduate Programs
Animal and Poultry Science
MSc Program
The MSc program involves advanced courses and the completion of a research project. These are means of developing the skills and intellectual curiosity that may further qualify the student for a leadership role within the animal industry or serve as a prerequisite for doctoral studies. The MSc degree may be completed via two routes: by thesis or by course work and major paper. The MSc by course work and major paper is offered in two areas of specialization: animal breeding and genetics and animal nutrition and metabolism.
Admission Requirements
An honours baccalaureate, with a minimum average grade of `B' during the last 2 years of full-time equivalent study. For Canadian degrees, we interpret this as the last 20 semester courses, however we do not split a semester and we will not consider any less than 16 courses.
Degree Requirements
MSc by Thesis
Candidates for the thesis-based MSc degree must successfully complete a prescribed series of courses, conduct a research project, prepare a thesis based on their results and defend this in a final examination. The number of course credits required in this option will be decided by the student's advisory committee in consultation with the student, and may exceed the minimum 1.5 credits required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Generally, 4 or 5 courses (1.5-2.0 credits) will be taken, including the mandatory Seminar course, ANSC*6600 (0.0 credit).
MSc by Course Work and Major Paper
Candidates for the MSc degree by course work and major paper option must complete a minimum of 4.0 credits (9 courses). Of these courses, one will be the departmental Seminar course, ANSC*6600 (0.0 credit), and another will be Major Paper in Animal and Poultry Science, ANSC*6900 (1.0 credit). The major paper will be a detailed, critical review of an area of study related to the specialization chosen by the student and should include analyses and interpretations of relevant data. The content of the major paper will be presented to the department in the Seminar course.
At the beginning of the program, the student and student's advisory committee will design the course-work program according to the program guidelines and the aspirations and background of the student. Students will normally choose a minimum of 4 courses in the area of specialization, one of which will be ANSC*6900, Major Paper in Animal and Poultry Science, and a minimum of two courses outside the area of specialization. These latter courses can be offered by departments other than Animal and Poultry Science.
A maximum of one approved senior-level undergraduate course can be included in the list of prescribed courses. Recommended graduate courses in the two areas of specialization are as follows: Animal Breeding and Genetics (ANSC*6900, ANSC*6210, ANSC*6240, ANSC*6370, ANSC*6390, ANSC*6450); Animal Nutrition and Metabolism (ANSC*6900, ANSC*6010, ANSC*6020, ANSC*6030, ANSC*6250, ANSC*6360, ANSC*6450); Animal Behaviour and Welfare (ANSC*6700, ANSC*6730, ANSC*6440, ANSC*6710 and ANSC*6740.
The MSc by course work and major paper degree will require a minimum of three semesters of full-time study (or the equivalent).