In addition to a core group of faculty members, the Department of Animal Biosciences works closely with professionals from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and other affiliated organizations. The graduate program encompasses MSc by course work, MSc by thesis, and PhD options in four main fields:

• Animal Breeding and Genetics (quantitative or molecular)
• Animal Nutrition (monogastric or ruminant)
• Animal Physiology (environmental and reproductive)
• Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Administrative Staff

Chair
Gregoy Bedecarrats (146 ANNU, Ext. 53692)
gbedecar@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Wendy Pearson (227 ANNU, Ext. 53652)
wpearson@uoguelph.ca 
Graduate Program Assistant - MSc/PhD
abscgradthesis@uoguelph.ca
Academic Coordinator - Course-Based Master's
abscgradcoursework@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

MABS Program

The Master of Animal Biosciences (MABS) is a course-based master’s program where students develop core competencies and expertise in one of five fields of specialization: breeding and genetics, animal nutrition, animal behaviour and welfare, animal physiology or digital animal analytics. Students also develop numeracy skills to enable them to make evidence-based decisions in the workplace. Lastly, students have a choice between a major research project or internship in Animal Biosciences as a capstone experience. Students graduating from this program emerge as leaders in the rich and diverse landscape of animal agriculture within our local community, our province, our country, and abroad. 

Admission to the MABS program requires students to have an Honours Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field from a recognized university. They will also be required to have an average of at least 73% in their final two years of full-time study. 

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete 4.0 credits total. Students are strongly encouraged to specialize in one of the fields listed in the restricted electives, taking at least 1.5 credits from one of the fields. Students are also encouraged to take their remaining course from outside of their field to provide some breadth of knowledge.

A maximum of two senior-level (third and fourth year) undergraduate courses (a maximum of 1.0 credit) can be included among a student's restricted elective choices. 

MSc Program

Admission Requirements

An honours baccalaureate, with a minimum average grade of `B' during the last 2 years of full-time equivalent study. For Canadian degrees, we interpret this as the last 20 semester courses, however we do not split a semester and we will not consider any fewer than 16 courses.

Program Requirements

The MSc program involves advanced courses and the completion of a research project. These are means of developing the skills and intellectual curiosity that may further qualify the student for a leadership role within animal organizations and industries or serve as a prerequisite for doctoral studies. Students enrol in one of two study options:

1. thesis, or
2. course work and major research paper.

Thesis

Candidates for the thesis-based MSc degree must successfully complete a prescribed series of courses, prepare and submit a thesis proposal to their advisory committee, conduct a research project, prepare a thesis based on their results and defend this in a final examination. The number of course credits required in this option will be decided by the student's advisory committee in consultation with the student, and may exceed the minimum 1.5 credits required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Generally, 4 or 5 courses (1.5-2.0 credits) will be taken, including the mandatory ANSC*6610 Scientific Communication, Knowledge Dissemination and Professional Development (0.50 credits)

Course Work and Major Research Paper (MRP)

Candidates for the MSc degree by course work and major paper option must complete a minimum of 4.0 credits (7 courses). Of these courses, one will be ANSC*6900 Major Paper in Animal Biosciences and another must be the mandatory ANSC*6610 Scientific Communication, Knowledge Dissemination and Professional Development (0.50 credits). The major paper will be a detailed, critical review of an area of study related to the specialization chosen by the student and should include analyses and interpretations of relevant data.

At the beginning of the program, the student and student's advisory committee will design the coursework program according to the program guidelines and the aspirations and background of the student. Students will normally choose a minimum of 4 courses in the area of specialization, and a minimum of two courses outside the area of specialization. These latter courses can be offered by departments other than Animal Biosciences.

A maximum of one approved senior-level undergraduate course can be included in the list of prescribed courses. Recommended graduate courses in the three areas of specialization are as follows:

The MSc by course work and major paper degree will require a minimum of three semesters of full-time study (or the equivalent).

PhD Program

Admission Requirements

Students entering a PhD program should show potential for independent, productive, and original research. A PhD program can be entered by three routes: following completion of an MSc program; following transfer prior to completion of an MSc program; and directly from a bachelor degree.

In general, a minimum average grade of `B' for a completed MSc program plus strong letters of reference are required. Students wishing to be considered for transfer to a PhD program prior to completion of the MSc program must request the transfer before the end of the fourth semester and have an excellent academic record as well as a strong aptitude for research.

Direct admission to the PhD program may be permitted for applicants who hold a bachelor's degree and have an excellent academic history and strong indications of research potential.

Program Requirements

The PhD program is research oriented and provides instruction and experiences that develop the student's ability to independently formulate hypotheses and design and execute experiments or conduct observational studies to reach definitive conclusions.

Satisfactory completion of a PhD program requires a comprehensive knowledge of the area of emphasis and the ability to conduct original research in this area, plus a sound general background in two related areas of study. This competence is demonstrated in a qualifying examination and through the preparation and submission of a thesis proposal to their advisory committee that outlines the design and plans to execute a substantial and original research project. Based on this research, a thesis is prepared and defended in a final examination.

The number of courses required for a PhD program will be decided by the student's advisory committee in consultation with the student. All PhD students are required to complete the mandatory ANSC*6610 Scientific Communication, Knowledge Dissemination and Professional Development (0.50 credits).  Students taking this course as an MSc student are not required to take it as a PhD student.

Collaborative Specializations

Neuroscience

The Department of Animal Biosciences participates in the MA/MSc/PhD collaborative specialization in neuroscience. Please consult the Neuroscience listing for a detailed description of the MA/MSc/PhD collaborative specialization.

One Health

The Department of Animal Biosciences participates in the collaborative specialization in One Health. Master’s and Doctoral students wishing to undertake thesis research or their major research paper/project with an emphasis on one health are eligible to apply to register concurrently in Animal Biosciences and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the One Health listing for more information.

Toxicology

The Department of Animal Biosciences participates in the masters/doctoral collaborative specialization in toxicology. The research and teaching expertise of these faculty include aspects of toxicology; they may serve as advisors for masters and doctoral students in Toxicology. Students choosing this option must meet the requirements of the Toxicology collaborative specialization, as well as those of their home department. Please consult the Toxicology listing for a detailed description of the masters/doctoral collaborative specialization.

Courses

Some courses are only offered when there is a certain minimum enrolment.