Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Ph.D.

I Contact Information

Sherman Swanson, Professor
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Veterinary Sciences
College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources
sswanson@cabnr.unr.edu
(775) 784-4057

II. Brief Introduction

The Animal and Rangeland Sciences PhD Program will prepare students for successful research, academic, and other demanding careers in fundamental and applied sciences, agriculture, rangeland management. Graduates will be prepared to address critical regional and worldwide needs to sustainably feed people, care for animals and agricultural enterprises, and manage 40% of both the U.S. and Earth’s terrestrial surface for multiple uses and values. Students may focus on various sub-disciplines related to animal science including: animal nutrition, physiology, genetics, health, reproduction, welfare, livestock production, meat industry and food safety. Specific areas of study within the rangeland ecology and management specialty include: riparian ecosystems, ecology, hydrology, restoration, landscape ecology, soil-plant relations, rangeland animal and wildlife interactions, grazing and habitat management, planning, management, monitoring, invasive species, and remote sensing. Graduates are needed to meet the needs of the agriculture profession including industry and agency research, administration, consulting, and land-grant and other colleges and universities.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to apply scientific concepts to research questions related to the sustainable management of agricultural and natural resources.
2. Students will be able to plan and execute experiments using appropriate scientific and statistical approaches to address research questions relevant to their thesis or dissertation projects.
3. Students will be able to effectively compose and articulate scientific concepts trough written and oral communication.
4. Students will be able to evaluate and apply professional ethics in the design and application of their research.

IV. Admission Requirements

• Students who seek admission to the program should have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0, a combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of 300, a TOEFL score of 600 (paper version), 250 (computer version), or 100 (internet version) for international students). Each student must have an advisor among the ARS faculty before they are accepted into the Program.
• Students must meet a set of coursework requirements consistent with career objectives in either animal science or rangeland ecology and management. Required undergraduate classes must be taken prior to admittance or while in their graduate program.
• Students emphasizing animal science must complete course work in physical sciences (6 credits), university mathematics including calculus (6 credits), organic chemistry or biochemistry (6 credits), and biology, agriculture, or natural resources (24 credits, including genetics, anatomy, physiology, soils, hydrology, ecology or plant or animal science).
• Students emphasizing rangeland ecology and management, must have completed an undergraduate degree or complete coursework that qualifies them under the US Office of Personnel Management GS-454 series (Rangeland Management Specialist).

V. Program Requirements

Students for the PhD in Animal and Rangeland Sciences (ARS) must satisfy the general requirements of the Graduate School. Students must select a PhD graduate advising committee consisting of at least five members of the graduate faculty, including the advisor, at least one other member from the advisor’s department, a member representing a closely allied discipline to the area of specialization, and one member serving as the Graduate School Representative. 

Students must present a dissertation proposal within their first year. It will clarify how their research will create new knowledge in a variety of related sub-disciplines. 

Courses should be selected to complement the student’s fields of interest and enhance his/her conceptual and research skills. A minimum of 72 graduate credits (with grades of “B” or better) beyond the baccalaureateare required. As many as 24 credits may be used from a completed master’s degree. A minimum of 24 credits of dissertation are required and Thirty (30) 700-799 level credits of coursework are required, with as many as 18 that may be used from a completed master’s degree. Only 9 credits of satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading are allowed. 

VI. Total Units (72 units)