Masters in Livestock Sciences

The Masters Degree in Livestock Science within the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth, UK, offers you the opportunity of a biological, scientific and professional training in the field of Livestock Science.

The MSc in Livestock Science will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to pursue leading careers in livestock research, development, academia, training, public and private commercial enterprise, advisory work, government agencies, non-government organisations etc throughout the world.


Overview

Food security is vital to the success and stability of any country and its population. Meeting the world's increasing demand for food is one of the most important challenges of the twenty-first century. Livestock Science is, and will remain, central to meeting this challenge. Not only is food quantity important but so is quality, with consumers continuing to demand a high quality product at an affordable price. These demands can only be met by the development and implementation of innovative concepts and ideas by suitably well-qualified post graduates, who will also then drive forward these exciting developments in livestock science and production. 

A range of biological science modules will be taught in the first semester which will cover animal growth and development, breeding, genetics, immunology, parasitology, bacteriology, endocrinology, and principles of animal nutrition. This will provide you with an advanced biological science knowledge which will then be applied in semester 2 which will cover subjects such as: livestock reproductive physiology, grassland science, livestock nutrition, molecular genetics for production animals and emerging techniques in veterinary science. Throughout the course, especially in the second semester, you will have increasing opportunity to explore specific areas of your own interest; this will culminate in your research dissertation. In addition to gaining specialised knowledge in Livestock Science the course aims to develop your more general skills such as written and oral communication, research skills, data handling and statistics, team work, information technology, problem solving etc.

Please download the Masters in Livestock Science Candidate Guide for more information on this course.

Fact File

Duration:

Twelve months full-time. The academic year (September to September) is divided into three semesters: September to January; January to June; June to September.

Assessment:

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

Entry Requirements:

A second class degree or better in agricultural, animal or biological science, or closely related discipline. However if you are a mature candidate with relevant experience you are encouraged to apply and your application will be considered on a case by case basis.

English Language Requirements:

If you have a Bachelor’s degree from a UK University, you do not need to take an English proficiency test.

Non-native English speakers who do not meet this requirement must take a University-recognised test of academic English language proficiency. For further information please see our English Language requirements page.

Course Fees:

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

Funding:

 There may be funding availabe for this course. Please see our to check. 

Careers

The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) has over 30 years of experience in teaching at masters level in areas related to Livestock Science. The Institute also has an internationally renowned reputation for research in the field of Livestock Science. Recently the Institute was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education and was among the very best in the 2010 Student Satisfaction Survey. This puts IBERS in a unique position to provide you with the research led high quality post graduate training needed to produce post graduates with the competence to pursue leading careers in a wide range of Livestock related fields throughout the world.

Food security is vital to the success and stability of any country and its population. Meeting the world's increasing demand for food is one of the most important challenges of the twenty-first century. Livestock Science is, and will remain, central to meeting this challenge. Not only is food quantity important but so is quality, with consumers continuing to demand a high quality product at an affordable price. These demands can only be met by the development and implementation of innovative concepts and ideas by suitably well-qualified post graduates, who will also then drive forward these exciting developments in livestock science and production.

Apply

Apply on-line for MSc Livestock Science

Please contact:
Dr Mike Rose
Email:mir@aber.ac.uk
MSc Livestock Science Course Coordinator


Or


Michelle Allen
Email: myd@aber.ac.uk
IBERS Postgraduate Admissions Officer

Structure

The course consists of 2 parts. Part 1 is 120 credits of taught material, delivered in 2 semesters running from September to June. Successful completion of Part 1 leads to the award of a post graduate diploma and you will then be allowed to proceed to Part 2, the dissertation. The dissertation is your real opportunity to specialise and investigate in depth an area that excites you. You can conduct the research for your dissertation in the state of the art laboratories within the Institute or you might choose go to another University department utilising the many contacts the Institute has worldwide. Successful completion of the 60 credit dissertation will lead to the award of MSc. Assessment will be by course work such as essays, seminar presentations, case studies, poster presentations and final examinations in January and May.

Semester 1

Core 

  • Immunology, parasitology and bacteriology
  • Endocrinology, growth and development
  • Animal breeding and genetics
  • Principles of nutrition
  • Statistics for experimental scientist

Semester 2

Core 

  • Emerging veterinary science
  • Livestock reproductive physiology
  • Grassland science
  • Molecular genetics for production animals
  • Livestock nutrition

Semester 3

Core 

  • Research project and dissertation