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Requirements and Procedures for M. S. Students
Minimum requirements for the M. S. degree in Animal Sciences are listed in Appendix A and B.
Each student will be required to complete a minimum of 32 hours of graduate credit, including 22 hours of lecture and laboratory classes, 2 hours of seminar and 8 hours of thesis research. At least 12 hours of credit must be in 500-level courses, including at least 8 hours in animal sciences and at least 2 hours of lecture and laboratory classes. Students will be expected to register for graduate seminar (0 to 2 hours of credit) during each semester of study for a maximum of 2 hours of credit. The M. S. courses present concepts and analytical techniques used by animal scientists in industry, government and other organizations. The courses present material at a more advanced level than most baccalaureate courses. The M. S. courses help students prepare for doctoral study in Animal Sciences.
Students complete most of the courses during the first two or three semesters, leaving the subsequent semesters for thesis research and writing.
Thesis and Final Examination
Each candidate for the Master's degree writes a thesis reporting original research. The thesis is supervised by an academic advisor. The candidate defends the thesis in a final oral examination administered by the thesis advisory committee. This is a comprehensive oral examination concerning the thesis and other areas of animal agriculture. The thesis advisory committee is composed of at least three members of the UIUC Graduate Faculty, one of whom serves as chairperson. In consultation with the candidate, the academic advisor will nominate committee members to the Head of Department. The nominations should be made in writing at least three months before the thesis is completed. The thesis will be reviewed and approved by the student’s academic advisor before the final examination. The committee members should receive the thesis at least two weeks before the examination and must receive the thesis at least one week before the examination.
All theses will include a summary, an introduction to the problem investigated, a review of literature on previous work related to the thesis topic, clearly defined objectives, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusions. The thesis may, but need not be, in the form of individual manuscripts preceded by chapters including a general introduction and literature review. The student, in consultation with his/her advisor, is responsible for the thesis, including spelling, grammar, scientific terminology, organization, stylistic consistency, correct sequence of pages, agreement between table of contents and the text, and the accuracy of the thesis contents. The student shall provide the Department with a hard-bound copy of the thesis. The monetary cost of thesis preparation, including typing and/or wordprocessing, copying, and binding, are to be incurred by the student. Secretarial assistance, office supplies, copy machines and computers used by secretaries are not available to graduate students for this purpose. Department guidelines for thesis preparation, format and departmental format approval of theses are given in Appendix E.
The committee must reach a unanimous decision about the performance on the final examination. Its decision of "pass," "decision deferred" or "fail" is communicated to the Graduate Program Office and the Graduate College. The committee also indicates that the thesis has been found to be "satisfactory," "satisfactory, pending revisions" or "unsatisfactory." Following the final examination, the chair of the thesis committee reports in writing to the Head of Department whether the student was awarded a “pass”, “decision deferred,”or a “fail” on the examination. The report also includes a recommendation about the student’s potential for Ph.D. study as well as an evaluation of your overall academic capabilities. If the student fails the examination, he/she may take it a second time within six months of the initial examination. A second failure results in dismissal from the program.
After passing the final examination, the thesis format must be approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator (Professor Bryan A. White, 460 Animal Sciences Laboratory, 333-2091). Deposit one copy in the office of the Graduate Program Coordinator for approval at least one week before the dissertation is due in the Graduate College. Deadlines for depositing theses are available from the Graduate College or the Graduate Program Office. The student is responsible for preparing the final copy in accordance with Graduate College requirements as described in Instructions for Preparation of Theses.
Appendix B of this Handbook contains a worksheet to keep track of progress toward degree requirements.
Exceptions
In exceptional circumstances, specific degree requirements may be waived or altered. The candidate may request an exception by submitting a petition to the Head of Department stating:
- the exception that is desired;
- reasons for the exception; and
- your advisor's recommendation.
If the petition requests waiver of the M. S. thesis requirement, it is referred to your thesis committee (or a suitable committee appointed by the Head of Department in lieu of a thesis advisory committee) which shall provide a written recommendation to the Head. The recommendation takes into account, but is not limited to previous research experience as evidenced by an M. S. thesis in a field other than Animal Sciences; published work evaluated as comparable to an acceptable Master's thesis; or a record of course work exceeding a typical M. S. program. The Head makes the final determination, including any additional requirements to be met in lieu of the thesis, and informs the candidate and the academic advisor in writing of the decision. Waiver of the thesis does not ensure successful completion of the M. S. degree.
Continuing for the Ph.D. Degree
Continuing for the Ph.D. depends on successfully completing the M. S. degree and receiving a favorable recommendation from the thesis committee. To continue for the Ph.D. degree, the student files for admission to the Ph.D. program by picking up the “Application for Change in Graduate Standing” form in 436 Animal Sciences Laboratory, completing the form, and submitting it to the Graduate Program Office, 436 Animal Sciences Laboratory, at least three months before completing the M. S. degree requirements. The Department will evaluate the candidate’s credentials and informs him/her in writing of the decision regarding admission to the Ph.D. program and financial assistance.
Transfer to the Ph.D. Program
Exceptionally well qualified M. S. students can be considered for transfer into the Ph.D. program before they complete the M. S. degree. To apply for transfer, use the Graduate College petition form available from the Graduate Program Office, 436 Animal Sciences Laboratory, or from the Graduate College, 202 Coble Hall. It includes a recommendation from the academic advisor and is accompanied by a research paper which is to be evaluated as part of the petition. The Head of Department arranges for a review of the petition by members of the faculty and responds in a timely manner. If transfer is approved, Ph.D. requirements apply.