May 09, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Agriculture and Environmental Sciences: Sustainable Animal Production and Health Concentration, PhD


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Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Radiah C. Minor Email: rcminor@ncat.edu Phone: (336)285-4787
Department Chair: Dr. Antoine Alston Email: alstona@ncat.edu Phone: (336)285-4818

The Sustainable Animal Production and Health focus area is designed to give doctoral candidates an in- depth look at the challenges facing the animal industry and equip them with the appropriate tools to answer and research questions related to the fields of sustainable animal production and animal health. This program offers guidance in conducting interdisciplinary research in genetics, nutrition, and physiology to name a few, with access to a diverse array of animal species. The goal of this program is to assist future professionals and scientists in developing their capabilities to assess and conduct valid scientific research and practices that will facilitate sustainable food production and promote preventative animal health through an in-depth understanding of agriculture and environmental systems and interdisciplinary approaches.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • At least one degree in a Food, Agricultural, or Environmental Science or closely related discipline.
  • Master of Science degree from one of the aforementioned areas with a cumulative GPA of 3.3.
  • A Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Aptitude Exam score
  • A Personal Statement, current vita, and three professional letters of recommendation (at least one from a former faculty advisor)

Program Outcomes:

The program will prepare graduates to:

  • Apply their critical thinking skills to solve complex issues impacting agriculture
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills through project and dissertation work and conference presentations.
  • Conduct research or undertake advanced projects in an area of sustainable animal production and health.
  • Be active and effective leaders in their professional societies and will demonstrate and model disciplinary expertise.

Core Courses


Credits Hours: 15


Choose 18 Credits From Specialized Area


Credits Hours: 18


Electives*


Credits Hours: 15


Other Required Courses


Credits Hours: 17


Total Degree Requirements: 65


**Students who did not take a statistics course within their Master’s Degree program will take an introductory statistics class in lieu of one Elective Area course.**

Other Requirements and Responsibilities:


Students are responsible for reading and understanding all University, The Graduate College, CAES, and Department and laboratory policies. Students in consultation with major advisor and committee must complete all the required training including but not limited to training modules required by the Graduate College, all the appropriate safety and/or compliance training, as necessary. NOTE: Proof of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols must be submitted for all graduate student projects to be in compliance, and proof is required to be cleared for graduation.

Dissertation Research:


A student may not register for dissertation credits before passing Qualifying Examination. No more than 12 dissertation credits are counted toward the total credit hours requirement for the degree.

Qualifying Examination:


The Qualifying Examination is given to assess the student’s competence in a broad range of relevant subject areas. Only students with unconditional status and in good academic standing may take the Qualifying Examination. A student who wants to retake the Qualifying Examination must apply to retake the Qualifying Examination by the posted deadline. No student is permitted to take the Qualifying Examination more than twice. A student not recommended for re-examination or who fails the exam on a second attempt may be dismissed from the doctoral program. Passing is determined by the student’s graduate advisory committee

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