GRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Two programs leading to the M.S. degree are available to graduate students in Animal Sciences. Students may elect to pursue either a thesis (Plan A) or non-thesis (Plan B). Requirements in these two programs are as follows:

A. Plan A (Thesis)

A minimum of 30 credits is required including:

- at least 12 credits of courseworks numbered 600 and above, including 2 credits of ANSC 641
(seminar) and excluding 699 and thesis 700
- a maximum of 3 credits of directed research (ANSC 699)
- thesis research; 9 credits in ANSC 700, at least one credit must be taken in the final semester
- remaining credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above

B. Plan B (Non-Thesis)

A minimum of 32 credits is required including:
- at least 18 credits in courseworks numbered 600 and above, including 2 credits of ANSC 641 (seminar) and excluding 699
- research; 4 credits of directed research (ANSC 699)
- remaining credits must be in course numbered 300 and above

Candidates must be enrolled during the term in which the degree is awarded; regular course works or the appropriate Master’s Plan B Studies 500 may be used to meet this requirement. The 500 course is offered as a 1-credit course with a mandatory grading of S/NG but does not carry credit toward meeting degree requirements.

C. Requirements of both Plan A and B

1. Seminar

Students are required to attend weekly seminars and to present an Animal Sciences Seminar each semester. Attendance is mandatory unless legitimate reason is given for being absent. A maximum of 2 credits is allowed for graduate seminar (ANSC 641).

2. Required Core Courses

One graduate level statistics (AGRN 603) plus three out of the following graduate courses are required as a core for graduate students in Animal Sciences: ANSC 620, ANSC 642, ANSC 643, ANSC 644, and ANSC 687.

3. Teaching Experience

As part of the teaching experience each graduate student will be required to lead a laboratory or discussion section for at least one semester during his or her tenure. Performance as a teaching assistant will be evaluated. Unsatisfactory performance may require additional assignments. The teaching experience requirement is met if the experience is evaluated and approved at the time of service by the graduate chair via letter from major advisor.

4. Preliminary Conference

This conference will be scheduled within one month after the beginning of the fall or spring semester. Its purpose is to: (1) Introduce the students and faculty; (2) acquaint faculty with the student’s background and specific interests in Animal Sciences; (3) assign an interim advisor for the student if this has not already been arranged; (4) determine if there are any pre-M.S. deficiencies which need to be corrected; and (5) determine the degree plan (A or B).

5. Admission to Candidacy

Admission to candidacy depends on the student’s knowledge and proficiency in the general areas of animal science and on the student’s attitude and preparedness to carry out research. Students will not be able to be admitted to candidacy if they have not completed their M.S. degree deficiencies and met minimum requirements. Student Progress Form II will be completed and submitted for admission to candidacy.

6. Animal Sciences Examination

See Appendix I.

D. Thesis Research (Plan A)

Thesis Committee

Under Plan A, students are required to write a thesis. Possible topics for thesis research should be discussed with the student’s advisor. Once a thesis topic is decided upon, a thesis proposal must be prepared. At this time, the student is required to complete the selection of his/her thesis research and examining committees, if this has not already been done. This is accomplished by selecting, in consultation with the advisor, at least two additional graduate faculty members to serve on the committee. When this has been decided, and the indicated individuals have agreed to serve in this capacity, Student Progress Form III is completed, showing the names (with their signatures) of student’s committee and the designated major advisor.

1. Thesis Proposal

The thesis proposal should include a statement clearly defining the problem, review of pertinent literature and a description of the materials and methods including appropriate statistical analyses.

The research proposal should be distributed to the thesis committee members and a time scheduled for the committee to review the proposal. The proposal should be presented formally by the student at this meeting. Scheduling the meeting, as well as conducting it, are the student’s responsibilities.

When the thesis proposal has been approved by the committee, Student Progress Form IV is completed and is signed by all members of the committee. Upon completion of this progress form, the student is then eligible to register for Thesis Research (ANSC 700). Relevant work done by the student in directed reading/research (ANSC 699) may be utilized as part of the thesis research. In such instances, the total credits for such directed reading/research and thesis research to be applied toward the minimum requirements for the degree shall not exceed nine (9), the maximum specified for thesis credit.

2. Thesis Research and Thesis Preparation

The advisor is responsible for directing and guiding the student’s research and thesis writing. However, the student must keep the committee informed of the scope, plan, and progress of both research and the thesis. Periodic meetings of the student and the committee may be requested. Instructions for the preparation of the thesis can be obtained at the Graduate Division Office.

It is expected that the student will prepare the results of the research for publication.

3. Thesis Defense

Copies of the completed thesis must be submitted to the committee at least two weeks before the thesis defense. The properly reproduced copy for The Graduate Division, signed by all members of the committee, must be deposited with the Graduate Division by the deadline specified in instructions issued to all candidates at the beginning of the term in which the degree is to be conferred. In addition, the Department requires one copy.

The thesis defense examination should be held at least six weeks before the end of the term in which the degree is to be conferred. In accordance with Graduate Division regulations, it is conducted by the thesis committee and is open to all graduate faculty members. It is not a public examination, and the privilege of attendance does not exceed beyond that stated in Graduate Division regulations. The examination should include a formal presentation of results.

Results of the student’s final thesis defense are reported on Student Progress Form VI. The judgment of the thesis (satisfactory or unsatisfactory) is made on Form VII. Signatures of all committee members and the Chairman of the Graduate Field of Study are required on both forms.

E. Non-Thesis Research (Plan B)

A formal presentation of results in directed research under Plan B, as in thesis research under Plan A is required of each student during his/her final semester. A written abstract of results to be presented (including pertinent tabular and/or graphic information) is required and must be distributed within the Department at least one week prior to the announced presentation.

It is expected that the student will prepare the results of the research for publication.

F. Grades:

Grades of A, B, and C may be used to fulfill requirements for an M.S. degree. A grade of I in graduate courses (600-799) will remain unless changed by an instructor or unless the course requirements are completed by the following April 1 for Fall semester courses or the following November 1 for Spring semester.

Grade points are given for all courses in which grades of A, B, C, D, or F are reported. They are computed as follows: for each credit received in a course, 4 grade points are granted if the grade is an A, 3 if B, 2 if C, 1 if D, and 0 if F.

Grade-point averages are determined by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of credits for which a student has been registered. Courses for which grades of W, I, NC, or CR have been recorded are not included in the computation of ratios.

1. Standards:

To remain eligible for further graduate work, students must have a B average (3.0 GPA) for all courses completed at the UH applied toward the degree. Students must also have a B average for all courses taken as a classified graduate student. The B average is computed for: (1) all courses numbered 300-398, 400-498 and (2) all graduate courses numbered 600 and above. In addition to an overall B average the student must also maintain a B average in all courses numbered 600 and above.

The Graduate Division disregards grades or credits for courses numbered 100-298 (except those required to fulfill undergraduate deficiencies) and 500-599 (except Law and Medicine courses).

Credit-hour requirements for graduate degrees can be fulfilled only with grades A, B, or C. Grades of D and F will not be counted toward the completion for requirements for advanced degrees, but will be counted in computing the grade-point ratio.

2. Academic Probation:

A student admitted as a regular student whose cumulative grade point average fails to meet the minimum requirements after completing at least 12 credit hours or after completing two semesters of course work will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. However, a student admitted as a conditional student whose grade-point ratio after admission fails to meet the minimum requirements after completing one semester of course work will be placed on academic probation for the following semester.

All grades for courses taken while on probation, as well as for all previous semesters in classified status, will be included in calculating the grade point at the end of the probationary semester. No extensions of the probationary semester may be granted due to incompletes (I).

A student on academic probation who meets the standards at the end of the probationary period will be taken off probationary status. This change in status is indicated on graduate students listings received from the Graduate Division.

The Graduate Division will deny a student on probation that fails to attain the minimum standards at the end of the probationary semester further registration in the program.

A student whose academic record falls below the required minimum at any time following one academic probationary semester is dismissed.

G. Time Allowed for Completion of M.S. Degree Requirements

Graduate Division regulations concerning the time allowed for completion of degree requirements state that candidates for the M.S. degree will be expected to complete all requirements within 7 years after admission into the program. Candidates who fail to complete all requirements in the specified time are automatically dropped from the program. Reinstatement for a limited period of time is only possible upon favorable recommendation of the field of study and with the concurrence of the Dean of Graduate Division.

Candidates for the M.S. degree in Animal Sciences are expected to meet all requirements within 3 years.