The graduate major in animal science offers students the option of pursuing MS study with a broader focus than the department's other majors. Students in this major take courses in the five main sub-fields of animal science: breeding, nutrition, physiology, reproduction, and meat science, while focusing on one species of domestic animals. Animal science majors frequently focus on research problems related to livestock production systems.

Learning Goals that students in this program are expected to meet include:

Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of scholarly literature in Animal Sciences and related disciplines.

Form testable hypotheses and articulate research objectives that, when met, will lead to significant contributions to Animal Sciences and related disciplines.

Conduct qualitative and/or quantitative research via appropriate acquisition, analysis, and reporting of data and information.

Interpret research results appropriately, integrating them into the existing knowledge in the discipline.

Clearly and accurately communicate research findings using written, oral, visual, and electronic means of communication.

Conduct scholarship, in teams or with independence, in ways that consistently demonstrate ethical practice and professionalism.