Graduate Programs

Animal and Food Science graduate programs

Our faculty research areas include:

  • Immunology, physiology, and virology;
  • Avian infectious diseases and their management;
  • Avian genomics and molecular genetics;
  • Animal nutrition and metabolism;
  • Equine metagenomics; and
  • Food microbiology, safety, and processing.

Multiple graduate degree areas exist in the department, namely:

  1. A joint Ph.D. degree program in Animal and Food Sciences
  2. Two M.S. degree programs (Thesis) — one in Animal Science and one in Food Science
  3. Three new, non-thesis M.S. degree programs primarily designed for individuals interested in learning and enhancing multidisciplinary technical and leadership skills. The programs include concentrations in 1) Animal Science Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership; 2) Food Science Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership; and 3) Animal and Food Sciences: Veterinary Biosciences, Biotechnology and One Health (VBBOH). 

Students accepted into the ANFS Ph.D. and M.S. (thesis) program have access to financial support and tuition scholarships. Most graduate students are funded through research assistantships (RAs) and teaching assistantships (TAs).

Our graduates are successfully prepared for professional schools (e.g., veterinary and medical), or to further their education through advanced degrees (Ph.D. programs and post-doctoral positions). Many of our alumni are employed in the fields of biotechnology, food product development and safety, pharmaceutical research, vaccine development and testing, agricultural feed and nutrition industries, as well as government administration and policy.

WHY GRAD SCHOOL?

Contact us
302-831-1940

Tanya Gressley, Graduate Program Director
Animal and Food Sciences | Graduate Programs | University of Delaware
Animal and Food Sciences | Graduate Programs | University of Delaware
Animal and Food Sciences | Graduate Programs | University of Delaware
  • Mature chickens at a chicken house.

    Advancing knowledge on wooden breast syndrome

    May 08, 2024 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photo by Michele Walfred
    University of Delaware researchers in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources have made a new discovery in their work on wooden breast syndrome in chickens. The UD team found white blood cells filled with fat surrounding broiler chickens’ veins and showing signs of swelling are key contributing factors to this muscle degeneration disease in these birds that can ultimately affect their meat quality.
  • UD’s non-thesis M.S. in Animal Science prepares Kayla Pettiford for veterinary school

    May 02, 2024 | Written by Molly Schafer
    As a graduate of UD’s non-thesis M.S. in Animal Science, alumna Kayla Pettiford attributes her UD master's degree in preparing her for veterinary school success. Pettiford graduated with an undergraduate degree in pre-veterinary science from Delaware State University in 2021. Pettiford took her time researching master’s programs. UD's concentration in Veterinary Biosciences, Biotechnology, and One Health (VBBOH) stood out.
  • Meet our new faculty: Alexander Yitbarek

    April 22, 2024 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photo by Katie Peikes
    New CANR faculty member Alexander Yitbarek researches the effects of various feed additives and nutrients on chickens’ health and performance. He also researches various diseases that affect chickens’ health, overall performance and welfare.