Animal Sciences offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science degree with a major in animal science. Programs are flexible and designed to meet the needs and interests of the student and, as such, specific degree requirements are determined through individual consultation with an advisor and a special committee. The department maintains herds of dairy cattle, beef cattle, and swine for research and teaching purposes.
Student Learning Outcomes:
All graduates will be able to:
Thorough command of knowledge and understanding in an area of emphasis offered by the faculty in the Department of Animal Science.
An ability to apply the scientific method and critical scientific thought in the application of a hypothesis formation, and the design and execution of experiments.
Competency in collection, analyses, and reporting of data.
Apply ethical practice in data collection, analyses, and reporting and an awareness of multiple responsibilities and the impact of their professional conduct.
Competency in oral communication and scholarly writing in the form of a doctoral dissertation and peer reviewed scientific publications.
An ability to recognize and appreciate the multifaceted and dynamic relationship between science and society in a diverse world.
Student Opportunities:
Graduates from our program are employed in a wide range of careers from applied animal production to teaching and research of molecular mechanisms in domestic and companion animals, as well as humans. Graduate students acquire cutting-edge knowledge and techniques in disciplines that are vital to the improvement of quality of life for animals and humans.
Examples of ongoing fundamental research include: the use of mammalian comparative and functional genomics in the search for genes of economic significance including identification of genes involved in disease resistance as well as production traits understanding molecular events coordinating the physiology of uterine and testis biology using the mouse and domestic ruminants as model organisms understanding and enhancing skeletal and cardiac muscle growth and development with stem cell and gene therapy approaches developing deterministic models to evaluate the environmental impact of dairy and beef production systems and examination of the bovine genome to examine the genetic x nutrition interactions associated with feed efficiency in beef cattle.
Examples of important applied research include minimizing the impact of animals on the environment altering animal nutrition to enhance meat quality and strategies to understand and enhance animal behavior and well-being.
The department’s dairy, feedlot, beef cow-calf unit, feed mill, research laboratories, experimental animal building, and meats laboratory provide the foundation for the department’s bench-to-applications approach.
Career Opportunities:
National agricultural laboratories
management, allied and agricultural industries
Extension and technical positions
Teaching positions.
August 2026
WSU Pullman
370 Lighty Student Services Bldg,
Pullman,
Washington,
99164, West, United States
Prospective international students must have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelors degree from an approved institution. Usually this is a minimum of four years of study beyond grade 12.
A grade point average equivalent to a U.S. grade of “B” or better is required.
TOEFL Minimum score: 550; TOEFLI Minimum score: 80; IELTS Minimum score: 7.0; Duolingo Minimum score: 105
Priority deadline:
Fall: January 10
Spring: July 1
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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