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1. Program Description

The Graduate Programs in Animal and Rangeland Science (GPARS): The Master of Science (M.S.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees offer graduate study of animal and rangeland sciences and management.  The areas of specialization within the program include (but are not limited to):

Animal Science:

• Animal nutrition
• Physiology
• Genetics and breeding
• Health
• Reproduction
• Welfare
• Livestock production
• Meat industry and food safety
• Data management
• Organismal modeling

Rangeland Ecology and Management:

• Riparian ecosystems
• Ecology
• Landscape ecology
• Rangeland economics
• Hydrology
• Restoration ecology
• Livestock and wildlife interactions
• Ranch and grazing management
• Invasive species ecology
• Geographic information systems and remote sensing

The graduate programs in Animal and Rangeland Science (GPARS) offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees that prepare students to address critical regional and worldwide needs in animal science and rangeland ecology and management by meeting these student learning outcomes, degree and program objectives. Students will be able to:

• Apply scientific concepts to research and management questions related to the sustainable management of agricultural and natural resources.
• Develop, plan, and execute experiments and monitoring and assessment management protocols for large landscapes that use appropriate science and statistical approaches.
• Effectively compose and articulate scientific concepts through multiple media outlets, including online digital as well as written and oral communications.
• Evaluate and apply professional ethics in the design and application of their research and management plans.
• Demonstrate the ability to conceptualize, plan, conduct and interpret original research as exemplified in the oral defense of their written thesis and dissertation.

For more information about the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno Graduate Program, please access: /grad, and to learn more about these specific graduate programs, please access: /grad/graduate-programs or contact:

Robert A. Washington-Allen
Graduate Program Director
Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences
979-571-4330
rwashingtonallen@unr.edu

**Students are encouraged to contact department faculty members directly who conduct research in their areas of interest to inquire about graduate opportunities and research interests.

3. Graduation/Degree Requirements

The GPARS M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are intended to be “committee-driven,” where the student has flexibility to select courses and develop a program of study under the guidance of an advisory committee. The GPARS has a few program-specific requirements, including required courses in the two main program areas: animal science and rangeland science.

Students must meet the minimum standard requirements of the Graduate School: The requirements and related downloadable or online forms can be found at /grad/student-resources/forms), the UNR Graduate School’s Program of Study website: /grad/student-resources/program-of-study-requirements and are reproduced here:

3.1. M.S. students

Satisfy the general requirements of the Graduate School. They select an M.S. graduate advising committee, including the advisor, a member representing the area of specialization, and the Graduate School representative who represents the student to the Graduate School. Students select courses to complement their specializations in their fields of interest and to enhance their conceptual and research skills.

3.1.1. Plan A versus Plan B

For the M.S. there are two degree plans available, with the vast majority of incoming students admitted to the Plan A degree program. In this option, the student is expected to write a thesis making an original contribution to the research field of a quality acceptable to a major, peer-reviewed scientific journal. A small number of students, primarily those without research funding and/or who have a full-time job commitment, are admitted to the Plan B degree program. This program requires the writing of a professional paper of quality demonstrating a high level of scholarship. Occasionally, Plan B students transfer to Plan A if research funding becomes available. Only under very special circumstances is a Plan A student allowed to transfer to Plan B.

• Plan A includes a research thesis (30 units minimum):
  • A maximum of 12 graduate units completed prior to admission to graduate standing may be applied to a master’s degree program of study. 
  • A maximum of 18 graduate credits completed from a relevant University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno graduate certificate may be applied to a master’s degree program of study.
  • A maximum of six graduate S/U units may apply towards a master’s degree, excluding S/U units allowed for a professional paper and thesis units, but including transfer units.
  • A minimum of 20 units of acceptable graduate courses in addition to six to 10 AGSC 797 thesis units for a total of approximately 30 units. Minor exceptions to the 30-unit requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will require best practices justification.
  • At least 18 units are earned in courses offered by the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno.
  • At least 9 units, exclusive of thesis, at 700 level.
  • With the program director's approval, internship/externship experiences can count for thesis units.
• Plan B  is non-thesis program(30 units minimum):
  • Approximately 30 units of acceptable graduate courses including a culminating experience such as a professional paper or project for no more than two units of AGSC 796. Minor exceptions to the 30-unit requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will require best practices justification.
  • At least 18 units are earned in courses offered by the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno.
  • At least 12 of the 30 units at the 700 level.
  • With the program director's approval, internship/externship experiences can count for thesis units.

For both thesis and non-thesis M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, the Graduate School requires continuous enrollment of at least three graduate credits each fall and spring semester.

• Required core curriculum (The animal science or rangeland science requirement below can be waived if students enter the program with strengths in that field):
  • AGSC 790 Animal and Rangeland Science Seminar (one unit), which is offered in the fall semester. Attendance in all semesters is strongly encouraged.
  • A graduate-level statistics class (three units).
    
    For graduate students with an emphasis in the animal sciences, choose two of the three following courses or others approved by their committee:
    
    
  • AGSC 606 Advanced Nutrition Management
  • AGSC 610 Sheep Management
  • AGSC 618 Cattle Production & Management
    
    For graduate students with an emphasis in rangeland science, choose two of the three following courses or others approved by their committee:
  • REM 608 Rangeland Ecosystems
  • REM 698 Rangeland Restoration Ecology
  • AGSC 613 Rangeland Livestock Interactions
• Each candidate makes a formal prospectus presentation (study plan) and later in their program will publicly defend their thesis (Plan A) or professional paper/project (Plan B) to the public and their advising committee. The thesis must also be accepted by the Graduate School.

3.2. Ph.D. students

Must satisfy the general requirements of the Graduate School. Students select a Ph.D. graduate advising committee consisting of at least five members of the graduate faculty, including the advisor, at least one other member from the advisor's department, a member representing a closely allied discipline to the area of specialization, and one member serving as the Graduate School representative.

• Students must present a dissertation proposal within their first year. It will clarify how their research will create new knowledge in a variety of related subdisciplines.
• Courses should be selected to complement the student’s fields of interest and enhance his/her conceptual and research skills. A minimum of 60 graduate credits (with grades of “B” or better) beyond the baccalaureate are required, including at least 40 units in coursework.
• A maximum of 24 units may be used from a completed master's degree. However, there is no limit on the number of units transferred when a student earns an M.S. degree en route to a Ph.D. in a University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno doctoral program.
• Some 12 – 30 units of dissertation (AGSC 799) are required, with at least 18 units of 700-level courses, exclusive of dissertation units.
• Only nine credits of S/U grading are allowed.
• Required core curriculum (The animal science or rangeland science requirement below can be waived if students enter the program with strength in that field.):
  • Two units of a Graduate Seminar, with at least one unit being AGSC 790 Animal and Rangeland Science Seminar, which is offered in the fall semester. Attendance in all semesters is strongly encouraged.
  • Graduate-level statistics class (three units)
    
    For graduate students with an emphasis in animal science, choose two of the three following courses or others approved by their committee:
  • AGSC 606 Advanced Nutrition Management
  • AGSC 606 Advanced Nutrition Management
  • AGSC 618 Cattle Production & Management
    
    For graduate students with an emphasis in rangeland science, choose two of the three following courses or others approved by their committee:
  • REM 608 Rangeland Ecosystems
  • REM 698 Rangeland Restoration Ecology
  • AGSC 613 Rangeland Livestock Interactions
• Students will take and pass a one-credit comprehensive examination to be admitted into Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree. The written and oral comprehensive examination will be administered by the student's advising committee.
• Each candidate will write and defend in public their dissertation. The student's advising committee will pass judgment about the quality and sufficiency of the dissertation and its defense. The dissertation must also be accepted by the graduate school.
• TOTAL UNITS -- 60 graduate credits M.S. (24 outside institution or >24 at UNR) + 12 - 30 dissertation + 6 - 24)

3.3. Graduate School Academic Requirements

The program follows the Graduate School policy concerning academic standing and dismissal. All graduate students must maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0. If their GPA drops below 3.0, they are placed on probation, and then pending the failure to raise the GPA to 3.0 in the following semester, the student will be dismissed. Undergraduate courses will not count towards graduate GPA.

3.3.1. Probation

Students whose cumulative graduate GPA is between 2.90 and 2.40 (0.1 to 0.6 points) below the required 3.0 GPA will be placed on probation by request of the department to the University’s Dean of the Graduate School. Students are placed on academic probation for the one semester that follows, during which they must raise their cumulative graduate GPA to 3.00. If the student fails to raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 by the end of the semester on probation, the student will be dismissed from their graduate program. Students can also be placed on probation and then dismissed from the program for failure to make satisfactory progress in their course of study as may be indicated by:

• Failure to complete three graduate credits per semester toward their program (Exceptions can be granted on a case-by-case basis through the Graduate School.)
• Unsatisfactory grades (including incompletes, grades below B or withdrawals)
• Failure to consult with their advisor when requested
• Failure to establish a graduate advisory committee
• Failure to develop an official approved degree program
• Failure to establish the groundwork for an acceptable thesis or dissertation
• Failure of comprehensive and/ or qualifying exams in the number of attempts specified by the graduate program
• Failure to meet a department milestone or to pass the culminating experience
• Failure to successfully defend a thesis or dissertation prospectus, or to successfully defend a final document.

Thesis, dissertation, S/U graded credits and transfer credits have no impact on a student’s GPA.

3.3.2. Dismissal

The University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno Graduate Student dismissal policy is: Students whose cumulative graduate GPA is 2.30 or below (0.7 or more grade points below a 3.0 GPA) are no longer in good academic standing and will be dismissed from the GPARS Program. Besides a student’s academic standing, additional grounds for dismissal include

• Inadequate grades or academic performance
• Lack of professionalism or unethical conduct
• Unsatisfactory performance as a graduate teaching or research assistant
• Failure to comply with professional or ethical standards applicable to a particular discipline
• Failure to comply with other specific graduate program requirements

Failure to comply with these procedures may result in the student’s loss of his/her right to exercise any appeal to any action taken by the Graduate School.

Dismissed students are no longer in a graduate program but may take graduate-level courses as a Grad Special. Students wishing to complete their degree must obtain approval to take graduate-level courses, raise their graduate GPA to at least 3.0, and then re-apply to a graduate program. Any courses taken to raise their GPA will be included in the graduate special/ transfer credit limitation (nine credits for master’s degrees).

The GPARS Program’s director is required to review each student’s academic performance and progress at least once per year. Section 5 provides the relevant timeline with deadlines and milestones that allows a graduate student to check their progress toward a completed M.S. or Ph.D. program.

5. Timeline for M.S. and Ph.D. Degree Completion

5.1. Timeline for MS Program

The following timeline is based on expectations of the Graduate School and the ARS Master’s Program (Table 1). While every student does not progress through their graduate program at the same rate, and often more than four semesters are required to complete the M.S. degree, students should seek to minimize substantial delays. Please note the Graduate School requirement that all course work must be completed within six years preceding the awarding of the degree (i.e. course work from more than six years ago cannot be applied towards the S. degree).

Table 1. The recommended timeline for a Master's degree in the GPARS.

Notes:

1. Although three committee meetings are indicated in the suggested timeline, more can be scheduled as needed at the discretion of the student, advisor and committee.
2. You can find an updated list of Graduate School forms and requirements at the Graduate School's forms page.

5.2. Timeline for PhD Program

The following timeline is based on expectations of the Graduate School and the ARS Ph.D. Program (Table 2). While every student does not progress through their graduate program at the same rate, and often more than six semesters are required to complete the D. degree, students should seek to minimize substantial delays. Please note the Graduate School requirement that all course work must be completed within six years preceding the awarding of the degree (i.e., course work from more than six years ago cannot be applied towards the Ph.D. degree).

Table 2. The recommended timeline for a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the GPARS.

Notes:

1. Although four committee meetings are indicated in the suggested timeline, more can be scheduled as needed at the discretion of the student, advisor and committee.
2. You can view an updated list of Graduate School forms and requirements.

7. Comprehensive Examination

Comprehensive examination (AGSC/REM 795) is a variable, one- to three-unit course for which Ph.D. students may register when completing final oral or written examinations or pre-dissertation qualifying examinations.

7.1. Students will take and pass a one-credit comprehensive examination to be admitted into candidacy for the coctoral cegree. The written and oral comprehensive examination will be administered at the discretion of the graduate student's advising committee. AVRS faculty have both been graduate students themselves and may have served on both M.S. and Ph.D. committees throughout their careers. This means committee members may have experienced examinations of varied lengths, number of questions (be they open book or closed book, with no or open access to the internet. Of course, all sources are cited per members, and disciplinary/topical scope. For example, the Environmental Sciences Interdisciplinary Graduate Program currently requires a one-day written exam from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with one disciplinary question from each of five or more committee members. GPARS has followed a model where the written exams are set for one week (five to seven days) at one-day per committee member with a post-written exam oral examination.

9. Graduate Student Financial Support

You can visit the Grad School funding opportunities page for more information on the University's funding support.

9.1. GPARS GTA/GRA

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA): Most ARS master’s students are supported by graduate research assistantships derived from research grants administered by individual faculty members. Therefore, it is important that prospective students contact potential advisors early in their application process to identify ARS graduate faculty members with both a willingness to serve as mentors and with grant funding support for research assistantships.

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA): Opportunities for ARS doctoral or occasionally master’s students to be supported by teaching assistantships are fairly limited, but sometimes are made available through the AVRS Department to help teach animal and rangeland science courses or the Graduate School to support the Graduate Program. These are usually part-time teaching assistantships that are offered in combination with part-time research assistantships.

CABNR issues up to two annual GTAs to GPARS annually to support the animal and veterinary science undergraduate curriculum. The AVRS Graduate Committee, chaired by the Graduate Program director, awards two M.S. students this GTA on an annual basis for up to two years, and Ph.D.s for up to three years.

9.2. USDI BLM GTA/GRA

Through remittances from the BLM Firefighters Training Program, two or three Range and Fire Ecology Educational Program GTA/GRAs are specifically available for students with an emphasis in rangeland science in the GPARS. Allocation of these assistantships are decided by the Graduate Program director and the AVRS Graduate Program Committee.

9.3. University Graduate School Fellowships and Scholarship Awards

For full information on University-administered awards, including eligibility, the February 15 FAFSA application deadline and international student deadlines for financial eligibility, please visit the Graduate Funding Awards page.

9.3.1. Graduate Dean's fellowships and merit scholarships

The Graduate School will award a combination of fellowships and merit scholarships each academic year to an elite selection of master’s and doctoral students who show the potential to make substantive contributions to their discipline. Please review the nomination procedures and eligibility requirements for each type of award below.

9.3.2.

Graduate Student Association (GSA): The University’s Graduate School Association also provides scholarships, small grants and other funding opportunities (including for travel to conferences).

9.3.3. Other programs

Other students are covered on internal (e.g., USDA NIFA Hatch or Multi-State Grants) or external (e.g., USDA AFRI, USFS, NSF or other federal agencies; NGOs; employer support and private granting agencies) grants that may have been acquired by them or faculty members or under their own funds. Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for outside funding to help support their graduate research. Many such opportunities can be found on the Current Students page.

Per the policy of the Graduate School, all graduate students holding an assistantship (teaching GTA or research GRA) are considered ÁùºÏ±¦µä residents for tuition purposes. Nonresident tuition is only waived for the duration of the assistantship. To be eligible for an assistantship, students must be admitted to a degree-granting program and be in good academic standing. The student must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and must be continuously enrolled in at least six graduate-level credits (600-700) throughout the duration of the assistantship.

State-funded assistantships (GTA/GRA) may be held for a maximum of three years for master’s degree students.

Refer to the Graduate School website for the most updated information on graduate assistantships.

11. Enrollment Requirements and Leave of Absence

Continuous Enrollment: To maintain “good standing,” all graduate students are required to enroll in a minimum of three graduate credits each fall and spring semester until they graduate. International students may be required to enroll in nine graduate credits each fall and spring semester, depending on the requirements of their visa. All students holding assistantships (whether teaching or research assistantships) are required to enroll in a minimum of six graduate credits each semester they hold the assistantship.

Leave of Absence: Students in good standing may request a leave of absence by completing a Leave of Absence form available on the Graduate School website (/grad/student-academics/forms) during which time they are not required to maintain continuous registration. Usually, a leave of absence is approved for one or two semesters. The leave of absence request may be extended by the student filing an additional leave of absence form. Students applying for a leave of absence should not have any “incomplete” grades that could be changed to an “F” and have a detrimental impact on their cumulative GPA. Requests for leaves of absence must be received by the Graduate School no later than the last day of enrollment for the semester the leave is to begin.

Reinstatement: When a student has been absent for one semester or more without an approved leave of absence, he or she may request reinstatement via the Reinstatement form (available on the Graduate School website (). This form allows the program the option to recommend the student be re-admitted to their graduate program based on their previous admission or to require the student to re-apply for admission, which would require students to submit a new application for admission and pay the application fee. The Notice of Reinstatement to Gradate Standing form must be received by the Graduate School no later than the last day of enrollment for the semester the reinstatement is to begin.

13. Graduate School Forms

Please refer to /grad/student-resources/forms for all forms available at the Graduate School: /grad. For academic standing, please refer to: /grad/student-resources/academic-standing.