
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:
- A joint Ph.D. degree program in Animal and Food Sciences
- Two M.S. degree programs (Thesis) — one in Animal Science and one in Food Science
- 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.
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Food Safety Experts Avoid These 4 Foods At The Grocery Store
September 15, 2023 | Written by Anna Rahmanan of Yahoo NewsWhen it comes to raw milk Dr. Kali Kniel says, “Although it is possible to purchase raw, unpasteurized milk in some states, I recommend people not consume it." Kniel, a microbiologist at the University of Delaware also explained that when a product is actually contaminated with a pathogenic microbe, the food won’t smell or look different for the most part. -
Urgency for pets
September 13, 2023 | Written by Kate ZinconePandemic pets blissfully enjoyed more time with their owners as work and school transitioned to a remote environment. Even more lucky animals were adopted. To them, this unexplained increase in company, play and quality time was a treat. But, especially when more households have pets, what happens when all of these animals — new and old — get sick? -
Equine exploration
September 08, 2023 | Written by Kate ZinconeA life-long equestrian competitor, UD student Rebecca Graves was an intern during the summer at the Purina Equine Unit at the Missouri Animal Nutrition Center. She primarily instructed young horses in key skills.