Graduate students at the UMD Animal Science Department have the unique opportunity to learn from, teach with, and work alongside some of academia’s brightest minds. Our students choose from a variety of animal science, statistics, and biomolecular courses to serve as the foundation of their advanced education. Those with teaching assistantships play a leading role in instructing and assessing undergraduate-level animal science courses each semester. In their time here, all students work closely with their advisor on projects within their research specialty.
Graduate Courses
The animal science department offers a variety of advanced courses for its graduate students, including topics such as immunology, animal welfare, biotechnology, and infectious diseases. See Current Students page for degree requirements.
Research Opportunities
Students will work closely with their faculty mentor during their graduate studies. Applicants should look for a research lab that matches their own interests. Below is a list of labs and their research interests within the ANSC department.
The following three principal investigators (PI) are actively recruiting graduate students with the support of teaching assistantships for 2025:
- Dr. Sunoh Che, assistant professor: sche@umd.edu
- Dr. Emilia Przygrodzka, assistant professor: emiliap@umd.edu
- Dr. Heewon Seo, assistant professor: hwseo@umd.edu
If you are interested in joining a different lab, please contact that PI to find out if there are any research assistantships available.
Genetics & Cell Biology:
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Role of E-cadherin in the intestinal homeostasis and regeneration: Dr. Younggeon Jin
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Metal transporters in growth, development and disease: Dr. Byung-Eun Kim
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Genomics & Bioinformatics: Dr. Li Ma
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Molecular, cellular, and genetic regulation of animal growth and reproduction by the neuroendocrine system: Dr. Tom Porter
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Signaling and metabolic pathways regulating function of highly steroidogenic ovarian cells: Dr. Emilia Przygrodzka
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Genomics selection to improve aquaculture production: Dr. Mohammed Salem
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Developmental potential and cell fate decisions during embryonic and early mammary development: Dr. Andrew Schiffmacher
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Epigenetics, statistical genomics, and genetic selection in animal improvement and disease resistance (lab positions available): Dr. Jiuzhou Song
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Neural crest and placode cell formation, migration and differentiation: Dr. Lisa Taneyhill
Nutrient Utilization & Metabolism:
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Transcriptomic and metagenomic analysis of broiler chicken metabolic disorders: Dr. Sunoh Che
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Genetics of nutritional iron metabolism and anemia: Dr. Iqbal Hamza
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Apical junctional complex in gastrointestinal homeostasis and disease: Dr. Younggeon Jin
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Metal transporters in growth, development and disease: Dr. Byung-Eun Kim
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Mathematical modeling of rumen fermentation: Dr. Richard Kohn
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Molecular, cellular, and genetic regulation of animal growth and reproduction by the neuroendocrine system: Dr. Tom Porter
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Omics approaches to enhance muscle growth and aquaculture production: Dr. Mohamed Salem
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Metabolic control of placental development: Dr. Heewon Seo
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Mechanisms regulating the remodeling of Mitochondrial metabolism during various physiological states: Dr. Nishanth Sunny
Pathobiology & Infectious Diseases:
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Understanding the molecular basis underpinning the pathogenesis of avian viruses in order to improve disease control and develop better vaccines: Dr. Andrew Broadbent
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Omics approaches to enhance disease resistance and stress tolerance in fish: Dr. Mohammed Salem
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Immune response to pathogens in animals: Dr. Zhengguo Xiao
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Reduction of the colonization of foodborne pathogens in the intestine of farm animals by using pre-biotics, probiotics or their combination (synbiotics) as well as mitigation of antibiotic resistance by developing natural antimicrobial against enteric bacterial pathogens: Dr. Debabrata Biswas
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Systems biology and one-health: Dr. Jiuzhou Song
Reproduction & Development:
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Molecular, cellular, and genetic regulation of animal growth and reproduction by the neuroendocrine system: Dr. Tom Porter
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Signaling and metabolic pathways regulating function of highly steroidogenic ovarian cells: Dr. Emilia Przygrodzka
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Developmental potential and cell fate decisions during embryonic and early mammary development: Dr. Andrew Schiffmacher
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Molecular and cellular events during embryo implantation and placental development: Dr. Heewon Seo
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Early embryonic patterning: Dr. Lisa Taneyhill
Animal Behavior & Well-being
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Molecular, cellular, and genetic regulation of animal growth and reproduction by the neuroendocrine system: Dr. Tom Porter
Admissions
The Graduate Program in the Animal Sciences offers graduate study leading to the thesis-based Master of Science (M.S.) and dissertation-based Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The ANSC graduate program does not offer a non-thesis option for the MS degree.
UMD Step-by-step Application Guide
Applicants should have a strong background in animal or poultry science or one of the biological or veterinary sciences. e.g., nutrition, physiology, biology, biochemistry, cell-molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, virology, or their subdisciplines. Previous research experience (industry or academia) related to the field of interest is advantageous. While having earned a master's degree in a related field will strengthen an application for the Ph.D. program, it is not required.
Fall admission is the preferred option. Students should apply for spring admission only if they have been encouraged to do so by their potential future advisor. Students interested in being considered for a departmental assistantship should submit their application by the best consideration deadline of January 8, 2025, for Fall 2025 Term. Departmental assistantships include both research and teaching responsibilities.
For more information about applying to the University of Maryland's Graduate School, please refer to the Graduate School FAQs.
Admission Requirements
Baseline Requirements:
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Earned Degree: Baccalaureate (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university (by starting term of the ANSC Program)
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Minimum Undergraduate GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
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Combined GRE Score (optional): 300
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Minimum TOEFL/IELTS Score (for international applicants): Applicants should have a speaking sub-score of 24 (iBT TOEFL), 7.5 (IELTS), or 76 (PTE) on their admission English proficiency exam. Sub-scores in other categories should meet the minimum requirement for Full Enrollment into the Graduate School.
Please note: Some may be exempt from submitting English proficiency exams for admission, based on Graduate School guidelines. See full details here.
For more information on admission policies, see the Graduate School admission policies page.
Application Deadlines
Spring 2025:
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International Final Deadline: Wednesday, September 11, 2024
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Domestic Final Deadline: Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Fall 2025:
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Best Consideration for an Assistantship: Wednesday, January 8, 2025
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International Final Deadline: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
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Domestic Final Deadline: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Tips for Success
ANSC Tips for Applicant Acceptance:
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Finding an Advisor: We recommend that prior to applying you contact one or more faculty members whose research interests mesh with yours. Identifying an advisor first can be helpful to determine whether the faculty member and their research is a good fit for the applicant and whether the faculty member is taking new graduate students into their lab (see Research Opportunities section above).
Please note: Only members of the ANSC Graduate Faculty (Assistant, Associate, and Full Professors) may serve as an advisor. See: Animal Sciences (ANSC) | University of Maryland Catalog and Faculty | Animal Sciences
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Review our guide on how to write a Statement of Research Interests and Career Goals
Application Checklist
ANSC Graduate Application Checklist:
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☐ Review our Tips for Success tab
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☐ Online Application
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☐ Academic Transcripts
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☐ CV / Resume
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☐ Statement of Research Interests and Career Goals
Review our guide -
☐ 3 Letters of Recommendation
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☐ Official GRE Scores (optional)
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☐ Official TOEFL scores (international students)
