Postgraduate Program in Animal Science

The postgraduate coursework program in Animal Science, which commenced in Semester 1 2006, provides targeted education that meets the need for animal scientists with technical skills to service rapidly changing production animal industries, in Australia and overseas.

It is an articulated postgraduate coursework program that prepares students for research or specialist work in the important areas of animal reproduction, animal nutrition or animal genetics. In future, it may expand to cover further areas of animal health, wildlife management and conservation and animal behaviour.

The Postgraduate Program in Animal Science will be offered at Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters levels:

• Master of Animal Science
• Graduate Diploma in Animal Science
• Graduate Certificate in Animal Science

This page may help to answer some of the questions you may have about the Animal Science program. If you have any further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

• Who should study this program?
• Why study at the University of Sydney?
• What are the goals of the degree?
• What areas does the degree specialise in?
• What is the structure of the degree?
• Who are the staff that teach in this degree?
• What are the course fees?
• How do I apply for a postgraduate degree in Animal Science?

Who should study this program

The program is suited to graduates of veterinary and animal sciences, or science or agriculture with appropriate background knowledge. Students in the course will be looking to facilitate a career change and/or undertake training in research.

Why Study at the University of Sydney

The Faculty of Veterinary Science possesses considerable research-based expertise in areas such as genomics, biotechnology and conservation biology, as well as in animal reproduction and nutrition - for which there is also a need for graduates in industry.

In addition, animal scientists and veterinarians from developing countries have need of access to training in the latest knowledge and techniques that can be applied in their home country upon completion of study.

Goals of the degree

The rapid growth of technological and scientific innovation in genetics, biotechnology, conservation biology, reproduction and nutrition has resulted in a need for further training for scientists across animal industries in all areas.

The increasing globalisation of agriculture and growing emphasis on wildlife and animal health & conservation means that the demands on professionals in animal industries and organisations have changed.

Applied and advanced training is necessary for industries and organisations to remain relevant and competitive.

This degree course will:

• Provide advanced technical training in a focused area of animal science – genetics, nutrition or reproduction, biotechnology and animal production
• Equip animal scientists with advanced skills applied in a variety of contexts – including poultry, wildlife, pig, aquaculture, dairy, companion & pedigree animals, sheep and beef
• Prepare students for advanced research training, including the skills to manage the planning and implementation of a successful research project and to design, conduct and write-up a research project

Students in the postgraduate course in Animal Science will learn to:

• Identify, define and analyse existing and emerging issues in animal science by applying an understanding of specific animal production systems and industries
• Search, identify, evaluate, collate and present scientific knowledge
• Analyse and integrate information to achieve better understanding of complex issues involving animal industries
• Identify, define and analyse problems affecting animal health and production
• Use detailed knowledge and understanding of animal science topics to solve problems on current issues in the relevant field
• Use appropriate decision making processes to create solutions in a professional context
• Communicate effectively information on issues within animal industries to a variety of stakeholders

Specialisations

The program will be offered in three specialist streams:

• Animal Genetics
• Animal Nutrition
• Animal Reproduction

Structure of the degree

The program is offered on campus at the University of Sydney. Students will work under the supervision of Faculty staff and usually work alongside postgraduate research students on established research projects. Students’ projects will be supported by coursework consisting of two core units of study in their designated speciality and elective units.

Students in the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma courses may elect to complete their degree through coursework only, without a research project.

Core coursework -> Research and electives -> Total credit point value

Key Staff

Academic Supervisor, Postgraduate Program in Animal Science, Professor Chris Moran.

Associate Dean for Postgraduate Studies, Dr Merran Govendir.

Teaching staff:

Professor Gareth Evans
Associate Professor Rosanne Taylor
Dr Imke Tammen
Dr Michelle Hyde
Professor David Fraser
Dr Paul Sheehy
Dr Wendy Muir
Dr Trish Holyoake
Dr Melanie Collier

Course Fees

Unit of Study Fees
Fees are payable at the start of each semester for the units enrolled in for that semester only. Please note that the fees listed below are for 2009 and are in Australian dollars. The University’s tuition fees are reviewed annually and may be varied during the period of study. The exact tuition fee for your course may depend on the specific units of study in which you enrol.

• Local student fees in 2009 will be $470 per credit point (units of study are 6 credit points each), or $22,560 for 1 year full-time (48 credit points).
• International student fees in 2009 will be $595 per credit point or $28,560 for 1 year full-time (48 credit points).

Note: Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens are considered to be local students. All others are considered to be international students, including permanent residents of New Zealand.

Voluntary Student Subscription Fees
Postgraduate students benefit from facilities and services provided by student organisations, including the University of Sydney Union (USU) and the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA).

All enrolled students may choose to pay student subscription fees which fund these facilities and services. How much you will pay depends on your undergraduate/postgraduate status and on your full-time or part-time attendance.

Payment of Fees
The Animal Science Program is a fee-paying postgraduate course. You may choose to pay your fees up-front or, if you are an Australian student, apply for an interest-free loan through FEE-HELP.

Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa are eligible for FEE-HELP assistance. FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible fee-paying students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Government pays the amount of the loan directly to the student's higher education provider. Students repay their loan through the tax system once their income is above the minimum threshold for compulsory repayment.

Please Note: FEE-HELP assistance does NOT cover compulsory subscriptions, including University of Sydney union fees or SUPRA fees.

If you require FEE-HELP assistance, you must complete a Request for FEE-HELP assistance form on or before the census date for semester 1 (31 March). Comprehensive information on the scheme is available from the Going to Uni website.

Apply

International applications for Semester 1 2009 are due on 31st October 2008. Local applications for Semester 1, 2009 are due on 31st November 2008 but applications will be accepted up until 31st January 2009. (Preference will be given to applications received by the November due date).
Application forms can be downloaded from How to Apply.

Entry Requirements
Undergraduate degree in a related field of study (Agriculture, Animal Science, Veterinary Science), or equivalent with permission from the Dean. Equivalence may comprise, for example, a Bachelor of Science with relevant work experience.

English Proficiency Requirements
Students who can provide proof that their previous tertiary studies were conducted entirely in the medium of English are not required to provide further proof of English proficiency. The Faculty of Veterinary Science requires a minimum IELTS of 7.0 with Writing and Speaking bands of 7.0 OR TOEFL 600 plus TWE 5.0 OR Computer-based TOEFL 250 plus Essay Rating 5.0. For information on IELTS and English language requirements for International students, visit the IELTS and University of Sydney websites.

How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for entry into the Postgraduate Program in Animal Science, please contact Jann Merchant by phone (+61 2 9036 6365) or email () prior to submitting your application.

International Applicants
International applicants (future students who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents or New Zealand citizens) will need to apply through the University of Sydney International Office. Further information and application forms can be found at the International Office's Postgraduate Coursework website.

To enrol in Semester 1 2009, international students should send application forms and all accompanying documentation by 31st October 2008 to:

International Office
Services Building G12
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006 Australia
Ph: +61 2 9351 4079
Fax: +61 2 9351 4013
Email: info@io.usyd.edu.au

Local Applicants
Local applicants (Australian citizens/permanent residents or New Zealand citizens) will need to apply through the Faculty of Veterinary Science. Application are now being accepted and can be downloaded from the PGC On-line Application Package.

To enrol in Semester 1, 2009, local students should send application forms and all accompanying documentation 31st January 2009 to:

Jann Merchant
Postgraduate Coursework
Faculty of Veterinary Science
University of Sydney, NSW 2006 AUSTRALIA
Ph: +61 2 9036 6365
Fax: +61 2 9351 3056
Email: j.merchant@usyd.edu.au

NOTE: Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens are considered to be local students. All others are considered to be international students, including permanent residents of New Zealand.

Checklist for Applications
You are required to provide documentation in support of your application. If you do not attach all of the documents required, your application may not be considered. The documents you may have to provide include:

• evidence of your residency status
• proof of change of name
• academic transcripts for your qualifications
• evidence of English proficiency
• information about your record of exclusion
• information about your technical, professional or other qualifications
• information about your employment experience

There is information on the application form about the circumstances under which you must provide documentation. You must provide originals or certified copies wherever possible, especially of academic documents such as transcripts and English test result notices.

If your supporting documents are not in English you must provide translated versions of those documents in addition to certified copies of the originals. These translations should be official. Some examples of the types of translations which may be accepted are those produced by the Ethnic Affairs Commission (EAC), the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA), or by an accredited National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) translator of at least ‘Translator’ or ‘Level 3’ status. Please note that if you are providing copies of translations, rather than originals, those copies must also be certified.

Contact Us

If you have a question about this degree program, please contact or .

Address:
Postgraduate Coursework
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Evelyn Williams Building (B10)
University of Sydney
NSW 2006, Australia

Phone: +61 2 9036 6365
Fax: +61 2 9351 3056
Email: j.merchant@usyd.edu.au