Animal Science student working on laptop sitting on a tractor.

Graduate Programs

We train scientists driven to improve animal management and well-being.

Graduate students in animal science can pursue an interdisciplinary program rooted in research areas such as genetics, nutrition or physiology while exploring both basic and applied scientific approaches in a variety of animal species.

Learn more about our flexible options for students to dual major and gain advanced training through independent research.

Medium sized brown and white goat with horns

Animal Well-being

Research in animal well-being is typically incorporated within other focus areas such as genetics or physiology. Students pursuing this emphasis have investigated everything from the effect of breeding behavior on the reproductive efficiency of swine to the impact of housing conditions on stress-related hormones in captive primates.

Research Faculty in Animal Well-Being

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is considered a support discipline and can be included in graduate programs in a variety of areas including physiology, nutrition, genetics/genomics and production management.

Research Faculty in Biotechnology

Genetics and Genomics

Students can choose to major in Animal Science with a co-major in Genetics or Functional Genomics. Students pursuing research in genetics and genomics use a variety of animal models including beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine and mice in their thesis projects.

Research Faculty in Genetics and Genomics

Nutrition

Our nutrition program focuses on a range of topics, from basic molecular nutrition approaches to studies with direct practical applications in the target species. Students can work with a variety of animal species, including cattle, swine, horses, sheep, goats, mice, companion animals and exotic animals.

Nutrition Research Faculty

Physiology

The physiology group conducts activities in two major areas: reproductive physiology and lactational physiology. Student research projects range from basic molecular studies to applied research projects in a variety of animal systems. Students use a variety of animal models including cattle, swine, mice, goats, horses, domestic cats and exotic cats in their research.

Physiology Research Faculty

Production Management

Students in production management investigate problems that involve applied research within their particular discipline (genetics, nutrition, physiology). Research can include assessment of the usefulness of early pregnancy detection by real-time ultrasonography in swine, the effectiveness of specific feed additives on growth and nutrient utilization of beef steers, or the effect of grazing-based dairy cattle management on the onset of puberty in heifers.

Production Management Research Faculty

Ph.D. in Animal Science

A Ph.D. in animal science symbolizes a student’s ability to conduct high-level original research and scholarly work without supervision.

To earn a Ph.D., students must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and scholarship in a specialized field of study. They are required to write a dissertation reporting the results of an original investigation, pass a series of preliminary comprehensive examinations in the field of specialization and related areas of knowledge, and successfully defend the dissertation.

Required Courses:
- Animal Science Seminar (ANS 801-Sec. 001) – 1 credit, in-person seminar, fall semester
- Safety and Ethics in Animal Science (ANS 810) – 1 credit, fall semester, 1st eight weeks
- Supervised teaching (ANS 885) – 1-3 credits
At least two residence credit points secured in continuous semesters’ residence as a graduate student at the university
Doctoral degrees at NC State require a minimum of 72 graduate credit hours beyond the Bachelor’s degree
For a student who already holds a master’s degree upon initial admission to the doctoral program of study, a maximum of 18 hours of relevant graduate credit from the master’s degree may be applied toward this minimum upon the recommendation of the student’s graduate advisory committee. Therefore, the minimum credit-hour requirement, in this case, is 54 credit hours
If a student completes a master’s degree at NC State and chooses to continue on for a doctoral degree, thereby maintaining a continuous registration status, up to 36 credit hours taken while in master’s status may be used to meet the minimum requirements for the doctoral degree
Students cannot take 400-level courses or lower as part of the credit-hour requirement for the doctoral program of study
Students cannot transfer courses into a Ph.D. program (including those taken in PBS status)
A successful preliminary comprehensive examination which includes both written and oral components
A dissertation
Departmental defense seminar
A final comprehensive oral examination

Master’s Degrees

Master of Science

The M.S. program is intensive research training and experiences that familiarize students with independent investigation methods, ideas, and goals.

Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours and complete and defend a thesis based on their research.

View the Graduate Catalog for Master of Animal Science degree requirements.

M.S. Degree Requirements

Master of Animal Science

The MR program gives students a deeper academic background in sub-disciplines associated with animal science, including nutrition, physiology, genetics, biotechnology and animal management. This is a coursework-only program.

Master of Animal Science Online

The MR program is also offered online through Distance Education (MAS-DE). Shannon Pratt-Phillips is the MAS-DE coordinator. Visit our program website for more information and to apply for the online Master of Animal Science program.

View the Graduate Catalog for Master of Animal Science degree requirements.

Master of Animal Science Requirements

Interdepartmental Nutrition Program

Masters or Doctoral Degree

The Interdepartmental Nutrition Program consists of faculty from multiple departments, including Animal Science; Agricultural and Human Sciences; Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences; Horticultural Science; Molecular and Structural Biochemistry; and Poultry Science. Students reside and conduct research in one of these departments under the direction of an appropriate advisor. Animal science students may conduct research with a variety of species (e.g. horses, ruminants, swine, poultry, rodents, and other species).

Program Requirements

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s

The Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s (ABM) degree program gives exceptional undergraduate students at NC State an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace. Students may double count up to 12 credits and obtain a non-thesis master’s degree in the same field within 12 months of completing the bachelor’s degree or obtain a thesis-based master’s degree in the same field within 18 months of completing the bachelor’s degree.

View Accelerated Currriculum

undergraduate and graduate students on research poster session.

Animal Science Research Poster Session Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the animal science graduate and undergraduate research poster session on April 8, 2022. Below is the list of all the winners and their winning poster presentations.

Group of animal science students at the Prevet symposium.

NC State Pre-Vet Students Receive Recognition at National Symposium

NC State pre-veterinary students attended the 2022 APVMA Symposium, where they had their most successful year yet with awards and scholarships.

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NC State’s Erin McKenney has a diverse set of experiences revolving around microbes.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Graduate Student Resources

Admissions and Deadlines

Think you’re ready to join us? Find out about our application and admissions process.

Co-Majors and Minors

Students have opportunities to co-major at the master’s and doctoral levels.

Financial Support

We offer a competitive support package that includes health insurance, tuition and a stipend. In addition, we have a variety of assistantships.

Graduate Courses

Our variety of courses — from equine nutrition to animal breeding — will advance your expertise.

Contact Us

Have Questions?

Dr. Vivek Fellner is the director of graduate programs.

For all graduate programs inquiries, email Michaela Bolick, graduate services coordinator: mdvick@ncsu.edu.