Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program Overview

Graduate students in the Animal Sciences program work on advancing scientific knowledge and fundamental understanding of areas such as reproductive biology and nutritional metabolism. Students develop new processes and technologies for profitable and environmentally-friendly animal production and management. The discovery and dissemination of principles of animal behavior through the study of both livestock and companion animals are also fundamental activities in this program.      

Graduate students in the Rangeland Ecology and Management program work on advancing scientific knowledge of rangeland ecosystems through the acquisition of fundamental understanding in areas such as rangeland ecology, physiology of rangeland plants, and grazing management. Students also integrate and disseminate knowledge on wildlife habitat, invasive species, fire ecology, watershed management, ecological restoration, and riparian ecology to benefit domestic and international settings.

Animal Sciences PhD candidates may focus their program in any one of the following areas:

  • Animal Genetics
  • Reproductive Physiology
  • Embryo Physiology
  • Animal Nutrition
  • Growth and Development
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Animal Behavior
  • Livestock Management
  • Dairy Production

Rangeland Ecology and Management PhD candidates may focus their program in any one of the following areas:

  • Ecology of Rangelands
  • Physiological Ecology
  • Range Improvement
  • Range Nutrition
  • Riparian Zone Management
  • Watershed Management

Researchers & Facilities

Faculty members in our department perform research in a wide variety of areas. Our programs are supported by modern laboratories, field stations, and centralized farm services. The department has extensive livestock and poultry facilities within two miles of campus, including a high-producing dairy herd, two beef barns with a capacity for 125-head, a small confinement swine unit, horse research barns, and poultry flocks. Our sheep center is five miles from campus. We also have two beef ranches (cow-calf), located about twenty minutes from campus. A modern physiology lab has surgical facilities for cattle, sheep, and swine. A meat processing laboratory is also available on campus. Additionally, graduate students have access to off-campus facilities of the Agricultural Experiment Station in the rangelands of eastern Oregon. Our department is also supported by the Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing, Laboratory Animal Resources Center, Radiation Center, Valley Library, and Enterprise Computing Services.

 

Graduate Student Resources

Graduate student references are available for more information from both the department and from the OSU Graduate School: