Ph.D. Requirements

The Ph.D. degree is granted chiefly in recognition of the candidate’s achievements and knowledge in a specific field. There are guidelines but no set requirements for the number of course credits needed to graduate nor for the time spent performing thesis research. Written and oral examinations and preparation of the doctoral dissertation are the principal measures of achievement.

Although there is no minimum number of credits required, students typically complete 40-50 credits to develop competency in their field of interest, and must complete 12 credits in a minor program. Appropriate graduate level courses taken at another university may be considered for transfer to a University of Minnesota program. Course work completed under an M.S. program can be counted towards the Ph.D. degree. A yearly departmental seminar is required in conjunction with the final examination for Ph.D. students. The program requires that students maintain a B or better average.

Program of Study

A student must file an official Ph.D. program form by the fourth semester after his or her initial registration. The program form includes a list of graduate courses completed or proposed in the major and in the minor of supporting fields. Transfer credits will be considered when the program form is reviewed by the departmental Graduate Studies Committee and the Graduate School.

Students are advised to concentrate their studies in a specialization area within the Animal Sciences major. Completion of a minor program in another field is an option. Requirements for a minor vary from program to program, but generally provide for in-depth training in a field that complements the major. The Director of Graduate Studies and the faculty advisor should be consulted in advance for planning and approving a balanced program. Students with a broad range of interests may opt for a supporting program rather than a minor, a choice which allows a little more latitude than a minor in course selection but still requires in-depth knowledge of one or more fields or areas of study that integrate well with the major. The Animal Sciences Graduate Studies Committee is responsible for approving of this option.

Examinations

The written preliminary examination in Animal Science evaluates in-depth knowledge in one of the Animal Sciences areas of emphasis. The exam is administered by the departmental Graduate Studies Committee and is offered each year in March and September. A student must take the written exam before beginning the seventh semester in residence or prior to the fifth semester following completion of an M.S. degree.

After students have completed a substantial portion of course work and passed
the preliminary written exam, they can schedule the preliminary oral examination. It should be taken within three years following initial registration in the graduate school and prior to writing the dissertation. The exam covers both the major and minor fields or supporting program. It may include possible plans for thesis research. Only after passing the preliminary oral examination is the student considered a candidate for the Doctor's degree.

Option 1: Written Preliminary Examination

The written preliminary examination evaluates in-depth knowledge in one of the Animal Sciences areas of emphasis. The examination will evaluate the specific competence of the student in the area of emphasis. The student can be expected to be examined in depth. Students should plan on taking the written preliminary examination within 4 to 5 semesters in residence for the Ph.D. degree. The exam is administered by the departmental Graduate Studies Committee twice each year in March and September. Questions are from previous exam files and new solicited questions from faculty whose expertise coincides with the student. Students are typically asked to answer 6 out of 8 questions in one day.

Option 2: Thesis Proposal

The thesis proposal should be completed within 2 to 3 years after starting the Ph.D. program. The thesis proposal should be written independently by the student and be as original as possible. The thesis proposal should include:

  • Justification of the problem
  • Literature review
  • Hypothesis, Objective(s)
  • Plan of work; including purpose, design, data analysis, limitation and pitfalls
  • Methods
  • Preliminary data (optional) — if it is related to the proposed work

There is no limit on the length of the thesis proposal. The thesis proposal must be submitted to the thesis committee at least 3 weeks before the scheduled date of the thesis proposal presentation.

NOTE: For either option, the general oral exam covering in-depth knowledge of all areas should be scheduled 1 to 2 months after the successful completion of either the written exam or presentation of the thesis proposal.

Teaching Experience

In addition to meeting course work and research requirements, graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. degree are required to gain 40 hours teaching experience. This might include lecture, laboratory instruction, extension activities, or completion of an approved course in education. This requirement must be met before taking the written preliminary examination. Although teaching experience for M.S. students is encouraged, it’s not required.