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Animal Sciences

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Graduate Student Handbook

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Faculty Expectations of Masters of Science Graduates Often students start their graduate career without a full understanding of exactly what their abilities should be when they graduate. That is, there is no written definition of the specific characteristics that a Master of Science graduate should possess, and moreover, such a definition would vary somewhat from department to department and from program to program. Thus, the following is a list, compiled by the Animal Science faculty, of characteristics that they would expect a MS graduate from our department to possess. Academically knowledgeable of textbook information in their area of expertise. For example, an MS graduate in nonruminant nutrition who worked with pigs would be expected to know basic nutrition, feeds and feeding, ration formulation and balancing, basic pig management, and other information pertinent to his/her research area. Able to think scientifically, or logically, and draw logical conclusions from given facts. Research is based on logical thinking, and MS graduates should have a sound understanding of basic scientific method. At graduation, students should also be able to design a series of experiments that would logically flow when presented with a problem or question in their field. Fully aware of the rationale for their thesis research, and the background research that led to it. Students should also be able to describe the potential practical applications of their research, regardless of how basic the research question might be. That is, all knowledge has potential applications, and students should continually ponder the possibilities as they progress through their graduate career. Knowledgeable of relevant problems within the industry and why they are a barrier to progress. For example, an MS graduate in horse physiology should be aware of seasonal anestrus as a major cause of reproductive inefficiency. Knowledgeable of pertinent literature in their research area, who performed the experiments, at what institution, and in what year the report was published (and perhaps the journal in which it appeared). Able to do a thorough literature search on a given topic. In today's world, electronic data retrieval has made literature searching easier and much faster, and students should be aware of these technologies as well as of the older, manual techniques. Able to perform most basic techniques in the laboratory and(or) at the farm relevant to their area of study, and masters of specific techniques used in their research. For example, an MS graduate in ruminant nutrition would be expected to be able to prepare specified molar concentrations of reagents, to run proximate analyses on feedstuffs, to calculate the ingredients for a balanced diet and to then mix them for feeding, etc. If that student also analyzed blood samples for glucose and insulin, then he/she would be expected to be able to run those specific assays independently as well. Able to understand, discuss, advise and help solve problems within their area of expertise. This includes evaluating scientific articles for biological and statistical soundness, providing critical reviews of proposals for future research, and giving a reasonable interpretation of the results. Able to chose the appropriate statistical analysis for a given data set from an experiment of a specified design or description, and then able to perform that analysis either by hand or through a computer program. It is not appropriate for students to have their data for the thesis analyzed by another without a thorough understanding of why and how. A basic understanding of statistical principles is also required. Knowledgeable of other scientists in their discipline, where they are located, and their general area of research. Able to communicate well both orally and via the written word. Seminars, group discussions, oral examinations, presentations at national meetings, and some teaching experiences all contribute to our goal of producing graduates that are well-spoken. If a student does not feel confident that he/she can prepare and give a quality talk, then the student should make a concerted effort to get more training and experience.