Typical Course of Study

Accelerated (5th year) Master of Science Degree

Transfer in 6 graduate level credits and have experience in the area you are planning to pursue.

Summer 1   Research - no credits  
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
Journal Club 1 Journal Club 1
Seminar 1 Seminar 1
ABBS Core Course 4 ABBS Major Course 3
Independent Study 6

Independent Study

7
       
Total 12 Total 12
Committee should be
formed and should meet
     
Summer 2   Complete Research  

Traditional Master of Science Degree with a thesis

Year 1      
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
Journal Club 1 Journal Club 1
Seminar 1 Seminar 1
ABBS Major Course 3-4 ABBS Core Course 3-4
Thesis Research 4 Thesis Research 5
Total 9-10 Total 10-11
Committee Formed   Committee meets
before third semester
 
Summer      
Research      
Year 2      
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
Journal Club 1  Committee meets at beginning of
semester and thesis outline is presented.
 
Seminar 1  Independent Study
(ANIMLSCI 696 Literature review for thesis)
 
ANIMLSCI 697S 1 Write Thesis  
Thesis Research 5    
Total 8 Total 3-4
Summer      
Defend Thesis      

Traditional Master of Science Degree without a thesis

Year 1      
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
Journal Club 1 Journal Club 1
Seminar 1 Seminar 1
ABBS Major Course 3-4 ABBS Core Course 1
Independent Study 4 Independent Study 5
Total 9-10 Total 10-11
Committee Formed   Committee meets before
third semester
 
Summer      
Research      
Year 2      
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
Journal Club 1 Journal Club 1
Seminar 1 Seminar 1
ANIMLSCI 697S 1    
Independent Study 5    
ABBS Major Course 3 Presentation to Committee  
Total 11 Total 2
May Graduation      

Doctor of Philosphy Degree

Year 1      
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
ABBS Journal Club 1 ABBS Journal Club 1
ABBS Seminar 1 ABBS Seminar 1
ABBS Major* Course 3-4 ABBS Major* Course 3-4

Independent Study
(PhD rotation)

6 Independent Study
(PhD rotation)
6
Total  11-12 Total  11-12
Year 2      
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
ABBS Journal Club 1 ABBS Journal Club 1
ABBS Seminar 1 ABBS Seminar 1
ABBS Core* Course 3-4 ABBS Core* Course 3-4
Dissertation Research 9 Dissertation Research 9
ANIMLSCI 697S 1    
    First Committee meeting  
    Preliminary Comprehensive
     exam by September
 
Total 15-16 Total 14-15
Year 3      
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
ABBS Journal Club 1 ABBS Journal Club 1
ABBS Seminar 1 ABBS Seminar 1
ABBS Major* Course 3-4 Optional ABBS Major* Course 3-4
Dissertation Research   Dissertation Research  
Prospectus Outline by
    September
     
Total 7-8 Total 11-12
Year 4 and onwards      
Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits
ABBS Journal Club 1 ABBS Journal Club 1
ABBS Seminar 1 ABBS Seminar 1
Dissertation Research   Dissertation Research  
    Committee meets each year  
Total 2 Total 2

* Major and Core courses can be taken in any order, but two Core and three Major courses must be completed.
 

  • Students work full time on their research projects under the guidance of their Major Professor regardless of the number of credits they are registered for.
  • Students in good standing can obtain an Enrollment Status Override each semester which maintains full time status even when the number of credits taken is below 9 in a given semester. Note: The university “Service Fee” increases with 5-8 credits, and again with more than 9 credits. University residency requirement is 2 consecutive semesters enrolled in 9 or more credits (Fall/Spring semesers only). If taking a 4 credit course, registering for journal club is not required (but participation is).
  • Students that receive TA or RA positions have tuition waived (but not fees).
  • Students are required to attend Departmental Seminars (ANIMLSCI 792) even when not registered.