Animal Science

Throughout this course you will be able to use a multidisciplinary approach to explore collaborations with veterinarians, scientists and the industry, learning about the latest scientific advances in the field of animal science. You will encounter many opportunities to develop as a reflective, autonomous researcher, with a wide and expert understanding of both animal biology and its applications, and how to ensure that the demands of production and animal welfare are appropriately balanced.

Why study MSc Animal Science at Aberystwyth University?

• The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) has an internationally renowned reputation for teaching and research in animal sciences
•  Opportunity to attend conferences with lectures from international animal science experts
• Undertake a challenging course taught by enthusiastic, helpful and research-active staff, and further enhanced by contributions from experts and academics, many of whom are of international renown
• Our joint submission with Bangor University to the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) displayed that 78% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent, and 97% of our research is internationally recognised
• 76% of our joint submission to the most recent Research Excellence Framework was judged as world-leading in terms of research impact
• Our submission in conjunction with Bangor University was the 5th strongest submission in the UK - REF 2014
• IBERS has an equine teaching yard and the only dedicated and fully licensed equine research yard in the UK outside of veterinary colleges
• IBERS has 800 ha of farmland, a 350 cow dairy unit, upland and lowland sheep and beef units and a flock of layer hens
• IBERS has previously been awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education and we received the ''Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology'' award at the 2013 Times Higher Education Awards
• Aberystwyth University is a top 50 university for research power and intensity – REF 2014.

Duration:

Both full-time (1 year) and part-time (2 year) routes available.

Assessment:

Assessment will be by course work such as essays, seminar presentations, case studies, poster presentations and final examinations in January and May.

Course Structure: 

The first part of the course is 120 credits of taught material, delivered in 2 semesters running from Sept to June. Part 2 is the dissertation. This is your opportunity to specialise and investigate in depth an area that excites you. Your dissertation can be done in our state of the art laboratories or possibly at another University. Assessment will be by course work such as essays, seminar presentations, case studies, poster presentations and final examinations in January and May.

Course Fees: 

Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase.

Funding:

Funding opportunities may be available, please check our funding calculator for details.

Careers

Our Animal Science students often progress to careers in:

• Scientific research
• Scientific publishing
• Animal Nutrition
• Animal Welfare
• Teaching
• Animal breeding
• Consultancy
• Laboratory work.

Many of our previous graduates have also progressed to PhDs or Veterinary Medicine.

Skills

This course will empower you to:

• advance your specialised knowledge in Animal Science
• enhance your problem-solving and data handling skills
• develop study and research skills
• develop and sustain a self-initiated programme of study
• develop your skills of original thought, analysis, evaluation, interpretation and reasoning
• enhance your communication skills
• work effectively independently and as part of a team.

How will I learn?

This course can be studied one year full-time or up to 24 months part-time. When studied full-time, the course is divided into three semesters. During the first two semesters, students complete 120 taught credits (usually six 20 credit modules), which are delivered primarily through lectures, practicals, field trips, workshops, and seminars.

During the final semester (June to September), you will complete your master’s dissertation and will arrange your level of contact with your assigned dissertation supervisor.

What will I learn?

In the first semester, students will study a number of core modules, covering topics such as animal/equine breeding, genetics and infection and immunity. In the second semester students will choose a selection of modules from: equine nutrition, livestock nutrition, equine anatomy, equine behaviour, livestock production, equine reproductive physiology and stud management, and grassland science.

Students will also undertake a research training module, which will give them a strong grounding in statistical techniques and analytical approaches to biological investigations, and will enhance their research skills and techniques in preparation for their MSc Dissertation undertaken in Semester 3 (June to September).

Throughout the course, a strong emphasis is placed on student centred study. This culminates in the master’s dissertation, a key part of the course which allows you to pursue specific areas of interest.

How will I be assessed?

Depending on the modules chosen, assessment is via a mix of written assignments (essays, reports, case studies, research projects, research critiques, research proposals, critical reviews, and abstracts), written examinations, seminar presentations, and online assignments.

Successful submission of the dissertation in the final semester leads to the award of an MSc. 

Find out what our graduates thought about their time  at Aberystwyth University

Ruth Clamp, MSc Animal Science

Laurie Freedman, MSc Animal Science

Alaeddin Okuroglu, MSc Animal Science

Sarah Parkinson, MSc Animal Science

Amanda Warr, MSc Animal Science