Graduate Field
Animal Science
Program Description
The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Animal Science is a one-year, STEM-designated, course-based master’s degree program ideal for career-focused students interested in the thorough study of issues and advancements in animal science.
Though similar to a Master of Science (MS) degree in its academic rigor, the MPS degree differs from a traditional MS degree in its structure and focus. An MS prepares students for a research-based career, with students developing an original research thesis over the course of two or three years. In contrast, the MPS degree is a one-year, course-based program, designed to impact knowledge and skills in a given area of concentration. Instead of a thesis or research project, MPS students complete a capstone project which allows them to apply their knowledge and skills in a practical manner.
A hallmark of the MPS program is the balanced portfolio of technical knowledge, analytical skills, and professional development built into the curriculum, designed to equip students with the skill set and knowledge necessary for careers in industry, government, or non-profit agencies.
Concentrations
- Animal health
- Animal nutrition
- Animal production sustainability
- Animal science (general)
- Dairy management
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In Person
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Minimum Credits for Degree: 30
Program Requirements
Coursework
- 30 credits in graduate-level courses at least 20 of which must be taken in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- Capstone project: 2 to 6 credits of the required 30 credits.
- Enrollment in a minimum of 12 credits each semester. It is advised that students enroll in 15 credits each semester to stay on track for this one-year program.
- Additional requirements:
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5
- A minimum of 18 letter-graded credits
- Completion of the degree within 1 year from admission date
Field-specific requirements
- Check with the field director for details.
Animal Science MPS Concentrations
Animal Health
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ANSC 5220 | Professional Development Seminar (fall & spring) | 2 |
| ANSC 6220 | Graduate Student Research Updates (fall or spring) | 1 |
| ALS 5900 | Project Development: CALS Professional Master's Programs | 1-5 |
| ALS 5910 | Project Completion: CALS Professional Master's Programs | 1 |
| 4 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ANSC 5300 | Fish Physiology | 3 |
| ANSC 5310 | Animal Genomics and Epigenomics | 3 |
| ANSC 5410 | Biology of the Mammary Gland in Health and Disease (spring, even years) | 2 |
| ANSC 5450 | Reproductive Physiology and Management of Dairy Cattle | 3 |
| ANSC 5500 | Model Organisms in Reproductive Sciences (fall, odd years) | 2 |
| ANSC 5540 | Dairy Cattle Herd Health | 3 |
| ANSC 5920 | Mechanisms of Animal Growth and Development (spring, odd years) | 2 |
| ANSC 6270 | Fundamentals of Endocrinology | 3 |
| ANSC 6310 | Applied Dairy Cattle Genetics (spring, odd years) | 2 |
| ANSC 6410 | Metabolic Physiology | 3 |
| ANSC 6700 | Immunology in Animal Health and Disease | 3 |
| BIOMG 5350 | Introductory Biology: Cell and Developmental Biology | 3 |
| BIOMI 6090 | Principles of Virology | 3 |
| BIOMG 6300 | Principles of Biochemistry, Individualized Instruction | 4 |
| VTPEH 6121 | Food Systems and Health | 3 |
| VTPMD 6640 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| VTPMD 6650 | Study Designs | 2 |
| VTBMS 7030 | The Biology and Diseases of Laboratory Animals | 2 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
Animal Nutrition
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ANSC 5220 | Professional Development Seminar (fall & spring) | 2 |
| ANSC 6220 | Graduate Student Research Updates (fall or spring) | 1 |
| ALS 5900 | Project Development: CALS Professional Master's Programs | 1-5 |
| ALS 5910 | Project Completion: CALS Professional Master's Programs | 1 |
| 4 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ANSC 5550 | Dairy Cattle Nutrition | 3 |
| ANSC 5920 | Mechanisms of Animal Growth and Development (spring, odd years) | 2 |
| ANSC 6110 | Integrated Cattle Nutrition | 4 |
| ANSC 6190 | Division of Nutritional Sciences Seminar | 1 |
| ANSC 6200 | Nutrition of Cats and Dogs | 3 |
| ANSC 6280 | Comparative Nutrition of the Horse and Pig | 4 |
| ANSC 6290 | Management of Nutrient Disorders in Cats and Dogs | 1 |
| ANSC 6410 | Metabolic Physiology | 3 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
Animal Production Sustainability
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ANSC 5220 | Professional Development Seminar (fall & spring) | 2 |
| ANSC 6220 | Graduate Student Research Updates (fall or spring) | 1 |
| ALS 5900 | Project Development: CALS Professional Master's Programs | 1-5 |
| ALS 5910 | Project Completion: CALS Professional Master's Programs | 1 |
| 4 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ANSC 5100 | Animal Welfare | 3 |
| ANSC 5140 | Ethics and Animal Science | 3 |
| ANSC 5510 | Dairy Herd Management | 4 |
| ANSC 6120 | Whole-Farm Nutrient Management | 4 |
| ANSC 6880 | Global Food, Energy, and Water Nexus – Engage the US, China, and India for Sustainable Future | 3-4 |
| GDEV 5400 | Agriculture, Food, Sustainability and Social Justice | 3 |
| GDEV 5680 | Environmental Decision Making | 3 |
| PLSCI 5210 | Soil and Crop Management for Sustainability | 3 |
| PLSCI 5660 | Soil Ecology | 3-4 |
| PLSCI 6100 | Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses and Global Climate Change | 3 |
| PLSCI 6720 | Nutrient and Carbon Cycling and Management in Ecosystems (fall, even years) | 3 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
Dairy Management
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ANSC 5220 | Professional Development Seminar (fall & spring) | 2 |
| ANSC 6220 | Graduate Student Research Updates (fall or spring) | 1 |
| ALS 5900 | Project Development: CALS Professional Master's Programs | 1-5 |
| ALS 5910 | Project Completion: CALS Professional Master's Programs | 1 |
| 4 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| AEM 5040 | Dairy Markets and Policy | 3 |
| ANSC 5450 | Reproductive Physiology and Management of Dairy Cattle | 3 |
| ANSC 5540 | Dairy Cattle Herd Health | 3 |
| ANSC 5550 | Dairy Cattle Nutrition | 3 |
| ANSC 6110 | Integrated Cattle Nutrition | 4 |
| ANSC 6120 | Whole-Farm Nutrient Management | 4 |
| ANSC 6310 | Applied Dairy Cattle Genetics | 2 |
| ANSC 6510 | Dairy Herd Business Management | 4 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
General Animal Science
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ANSC 5220 | Professional Development Seminar (fall & spring) | 2 |
| ANSC 6220 | Graduate Student Research Updates (fall or spring) | 1 |
| ALS 5900 | Project Development: CALS Professional Master's Programs | 1-5 |
| ALS 5910 | Project Completion: CALS Professional Master's Programs | 1 |
| 4 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| AEM 5040 | Dairy Markets and Policy | 3 |
| ANSC 5100 | Animal Welfare | 3 |
| ANSC 5140 | Ethics and Animal Science | 3 |
| ANSC 5210 | Principles of Animal Genetics | 4 |
| ANSC 5300 | Fish Physiology | 3 |
| ANSC 5310 | Animal Genomics and Epigenomics | 3 |
| ANSC 5410 | Biology of the Mammary Gland in Health and Disease (spring, even years) | 2 |
| ANSC 5450 | Reproductive Physiology and Management of Dairy Cattle | 3 |
| ANSC 5500 | Model Organisms in Reproductive Sciences (fall, odd years) | 2 |
| ANSC 5510 | Dairy Herd Management | 4 |
| ANSC 5540 | Dairy Cattle Herd Health | 3 |
| ANSC 5550 | Dairy Cattle Nutrition | 3 |
| ANSC 5900 | Animal Welfare Science Journal Club | 1 |
| ANSC 5920 | Mechanisms of Animal Growth and Development (spring, odd years) | 2 |
| ANSC 6110 | Integrated Cattle Nutrition | 4 |
| ANSC 6120 | Whole-Farm Nutrient Management | 4 |
| ANSC 6200 | Nutrition of Cats and Dogs | 3 |
| ANSC 6230 | Reproductive Biology Journal Club | 1 |
| ANSC 6270 | Fundamentals of Endocrinology | 3 |
| ANSC 6280 | Comparative Nutrition of the Horse and Pig | 3-4 |
| ANSC 6290 | Management of Nutrient Disorders in Cats and Dogs | 1 |
| ANSC 6310 | Applied Dairy Cattle Genetics (spring, odd years) | 2 |
| ANSC 6410 | Metabolic Physiology | 3 |
| ANSC 6510 | Dairy Herd Business Management | 4 |
| ANSC 6700 | Immunology in Animal Health and Disease | 3 |
| ANSC 6880 | Global Food, Energy, and Water Nexus – Engage the US, China, and India for Sustainable Future | 3-4 |
| ANSC 7570 | Current Concepts in Reproductive Biology (fall, even years) | 3 |
| BIONB 7201 | Research Design in the Study of Animal Social Behavior | 1 |
| VTPEH 6121 | Food Systems and Health | 3 |
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
