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New Mexico State University

Animal Sci-Graduate & PhD

The Department of Animal and Range Sciences offers graduate work in animal science leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees and the Master of Agriculture degree with a ranch manager option. Specific areas of study at the master's level include animal breeding, meats, nutrition and reproductive physiology. Doctorates are offered in animal science with emphasis on ruminant nutrition and reproductive physiology.

Requirements for Master of Science Degree

The Department of Animal and Range Sciences offers graduate work in animal science leading to the Master of Science degree. Specific areas of study at the master's level include animal breeding, meats, nutrition, nutritional microbiology, reproductive physiology, and nutritional toxicology.

  1. General Coursework Requirements
    1. Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average.
    2. A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate work is required of which:
      1. At least 15 credits must be in courses numbered 500 or above.
      2. At least 15 credits must be in Animal Science courses.
      3. At least 15 credits (exclusive of AnSc 599) must be taken with other than a single professor.
    3. Designated hours to be completed:
      1. At least four formal Animal Science courses numbered 500 or above.
      2. At least six credits in AnSc 599 (Master's Thesis).
      3. At least two credits in AnSc 515 (Graduate Seminar).
      4. At least four credits in Experimental Statistics.
    4. Graduate Assistants
      1. During fall and spring semesters, assistants must enroll for at least nine but not more than ten graduate credits.
      2. Enrollment in 11 or 12 hours requires an overload permit.
      3. Enrollment during summer sessions is not required.
    5. Additional Requirements:
      1. A maximum of six credits in S/U courses may be taken during a Master's program.
      2. A maximum of six credits (four in a single semester) in AnSc 598 (Special Research Programs) may be taken during a Master's program.
      3. If a minor is declared, a minimum of eight credits in this discipline must be completed and approved by that department.
      4. In certain instances, deficiency courses may be required.
      5. Attendance at graduate seminars is urged.
      6. Graduate students are encouraged to adapt their thesis data for submission as a scientific journal article or an Experiment Station Bulletin or research report.

    PhD - Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy Degree

     

    The Department of Animal and Range Sciences offers graduate work in animal science leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Doctorates are offered in animal science with emphasis on ruminant nutrition and reproductive physiology.

       
    1. General Requirements
      1. Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average.
      2. A minimum of 90 credit hours of graduate work is required of which:
        1. At least 30 credits must be in courses numbered 600 or above.
        2. At least 18 credits must be in AnSc 700 (Doctoral Dissertation).
      3. During fall and spring semesters, graduate assistants must enroll in at least 9 but not more than 10 graduate hours (11 or 12 hours requires an overload permit).
      4. Students admitted to the Doctoral program (passed qualifying exam) must continue to enroll in 3 credits of graduate work each semester (exclusive of summer sessions) until the dissertation is approved by the Graduate School.
      5. In certain instances, deficiency courses may be required.
      6. Attendance at graduate seminars is urged.
      7. Graduate students are encouraged to adapt their dissertation for submission as a scientific journal article or Experiment Station bulletin or research report.
       
    2. Qualifying Exam
      1. The Animal and Range Sciences Department may allow the M.S. Final Examination to serve as a Ph.D. Qualifying Exam for students receiving an M.S. in Animal Science from NMSU. See "Guidelines for Graduate Students" for further details.
      2. For those having an M.S. from another department or university, a Qualifying Exam must be taken before completion of one semester of graduate work.
      3. After successful completion of this exam, a Doctoral Committee is appointed.
       
    3. Doctoral Committee
      1. The Doctoral Committee is appointed by the student's advisor, the Department Head, and the Graduate Dean and usually consists of five members:
        2.          
        1. Three from the major area.
        2. One from the related area.
        3. One representative from the Graduate School.
      2. Duties of the Doctoral Committee:
        1. Prepare and file a preliminary program of study with the Graduate Dean.
        2. Provide counsel for the student during the program.
        3. Attend the comprehensive oral examination and the final dissertation defense.
       
    4. Related Area
      1. Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average.
        2.     
      2. Courses to be completed will be determined by the Doctoral Committee.
        3.     
      3. Possible areas of study include:
        1. Range Science
          2.   
        2.  Experimental Statistics
          3.    
        3. Biology
          4.     
        4. Chemistry
          5.    
        5. Toxicology
          6.     
        6. Molecular Biology
       
    5. Research Tool
      1. Doctorate students are also expected to demonstrate proficiency in an area of study that will promote their ability to conduct research.
      2. A minimum of three courses approved by the Doctoral Committee will usually meet this requirement.
      3. Courses completed in the Related Area may not be used toward the Research Tool.
      4. Possible study areas include:
        1. Experimental Statistics
          2.     
        2. Foreign Language
          3.     
        3. History of Science
          4.     
        4. Philosophy of Science
          5.   
        5. Toxicology
          6.     
        6. Molecular Biology

    See the NMSU graduate catalog for a description of classes and/or more information on classes available to graduate students. Graduate Assistantship

    Guidelines for Graduate students

    Masters and Doctoral Degrees are offered in several areas of Animal and Range Sciences at New Mexico State University. The responsibility of providing graduate training is taken very seriously at this institution and the faculty and staff expect graduate students to be equally serious in their goal of obtaining an advanced degree. Undergraduate programs are usually "classroom" oriented whereas graduate work is generally characterized by more individual effort in the form of independent reading, seminar preparations, and research activities. The decision to pursue an advance degree should not be made without a great deal of consideration. Once the decision is made both students and faculty should strive to make the graduate program a valuable experience. Graduate students are an integral part of this Department and their research and teaching contributions are far too numerous to count. The attitude of both faculty and students, therefore, must be one of mutual effort since we are all here to learn and contribute to the advancement of science. Subsequent sections are intended to serve as a guide for policies related to graduate students/assistants in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences.

    Graduate Assistantships

    General

    A limited number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis to qualified individuals. These assistantships are designed to offer the student valuable teaching and research experience while, at the same time, the Department benefits greatly from the contributions of these assistants. To be eligible for consideration for an assistantship, a person must be admitted as a "regular" student by the Graduate College and have maintained a 3.0 grade point average (A = 4.0) in the last half of all undergraduate or all graduate work. Letters of recommendation from at least three individuals familiar with the student's qualifications will also be requested. Receipt of an assistantship requires that the student then maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all subsequent graduate work. Graduate assistants are considered residents of New Mexico for tuition purposes during their first 12 months, after which the individual must establish New Mexico residency or pay out-of-state tuition. The university limits the time that a student can be supported to 3 years for Masters and 6 years Doctoral students when both degrees are earned at NMSU. Those with a M.S. from another university are also eligible for 6 years of support while a Doctoral student. The sixth year of support is contingent upon successful completion of the Doctoral comprehensive examination.

    Doctoral Requirements

    Requirements for advanced degrees vary with individual student as well as area of specialization. Students should refer to the Graduate School Catalog for general requirements and consult their advisor and committee for specific requirements.

    Duties of Assistants

    Most graduate assistants are contracted under what is termed a half-time assistantship, which means that the student is obligated to contribute 20 hours each week toward Departmental activities. These duties are usually divided between teaching and research responsibilities. Teaching assistants will be assigned at least one course with which to assist each semester. The student will then be responsible to the faculty member in charge of that course for the teaching portion of his/her duties. The research segment of the assistantship duties will be under the direction of the student's major professor and will generally involve helping the faculty member with his/her research projects. Research activities directed toward the student's thesis/dissertation material are performed in addition to those required for the assistantship.

    Relationship of Assistants to the Department

    Graduate assistants are considered as part-time employees of the University and, as such, they are entitled to 11 days (22 half-days) of annual leave each year, as well as workmen's compensation should an on-the-job injury occur. They are not, however, eligible for inclusion in the faculty-staff insurance/disability program. From a teaching/research standpoint, graduate assistants are an integral part of the Department and they are considered by the administration, undergraduates, alumni, and other individuals to be representatives of the Department of Animal and Range Sciences. The professionalism with which their duties are performed, as well as their general conduct, should, therefore, leave a favorable impression with university clientele.

    Desk/Office Space

    Graduate assistants provide integral support for the teaching/research activities of the Department; it is, therefore, important that they have a study area in which they can be located by faculty and undergraduate students. Graduate students will not be officed in laboratories containing hazardous/radioactive chemicals. In addition, students should recognize that security can be a problem in public university buildings and the University does not carry insurance on any personal items. The Department will attempt to provide a desk/carrel for all graduate students as long as space is available. In the event that space becomes limited, graduate assistants will be accommodated first. Students working toward Masters degrees and Doctoral students who are not graduate assistants will, in general be housed in desk or carrel areas located in rooms 209A, 253, and 301 of Knox Hall. If adequate space is available, attempts will be made to provide Doctoral graduate assistants with a semi-private office area. A listing of currently used areas for Ph.D. students is maintained in the Departmental office along with a list of Doctoral assistants in order of seniority basis. When Doctoral study areas become available, the Department Head will reassign them on a seniority basis. In the event that an excess of Doctoral study space is available, the Department Head may assign such space to graduate assistants pursuing Masters degrees on a seniority basis (based on date of graduate enrollment).

    Computer Access

    The Animal and Range Sciences Graduate Student Association (ARSGSA) maintains a graduate student computer cluster in Knox 209. This cluster is under the control of ARSGSA and graduate students can contact the officers of this group for restrictions on use. Also, the University maintains a computer cluster on the first floor of Knox Hall, which is available to enrolled students.

    Publications

    Prior to completion of an advanced degree, graduate students are expected to adapt their thesis or dissertation material for submission as a scientific journal article or Experiment Station bulletin or research report.

    Continuation of Graduate Studies at NMSU

    Students completing a M.S. program in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences and who desire to continue in a Ph.D. program in this Department must submit a formal request to the Departmental Graduate Committee at least 6 weeks before the oral examination. The Departmental Committee will review the request, consult with the major professor and department head, and recommend to the Graduate Dean as to whether the M.S. oral examination should be allowed to serve as a Ph.D. qualifying examination.

    Other Guidelines


    Seminars

    Graduate seminars are offered during both fall and spring semesters and students are required to enroll in AnSc/RgSc 515 at least twice before completion of each advanced degree. All graduate students are expected to attend seminar (regardless of enrollment); research and class schedules should, therefore, be arranged accordingly.

    Secretarial Assistance

    Graduate students often require secretarial assistance for various types of projects. Since Departmental secretaries have a heavy work load, their time is spent on Departmental business. The following typing tasks may be performed by Departmental secretaries provided that they are given adequate notice:

    • Departmental graduate seminar reports
    • Journal articles, research reports, bulletins, proceedings papers, other publications
    • Visual aids for papers to be presented at scientific meetings
    • Placement materials for graduate students

    All work to be performed by Departmental secretaries should be channeled through a faculty member.

    Departmental Supplies and Photocopy Machine

    Stenographic supplies related to teaching and research activities are provided by the Department. Students needing materials for such activities should issue a request to their major professor or the faculty member in charge of the course with which they are assisting. Supplies are not provided for the student's coursework activities. A photocopy machine is available for Departmental business. All transactions require an access code number which may be obtained from the major professor. Personal use of the machine should be kept to a minimum and then only when it is not being used for official purposes. The Department will provide one copy of a graduate thesis or dissertation for each committee member before the oral examination. All other copying related to the thesis or dissertation (including required revisions) is at the student's expense.

    University Vehicles

    Vehicles are available for official use only. Individuals intending to use university vehicles must have a valid New Mexico operator's license and a State of New Mexico permit which is issued after completion of the NMSU defensive driving course. Graduate students are encouraged to enroll in the defensive driving course as soon as possible after their arrival.