Degree Requirements - Graduate study in Poultry Science leads to the degrees Master of Arts (non-thesis), Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy. The program prepares students for careers in teaching, research, extension and technical positions in the industry. Graduate students are able to specialize in various disciplines within Poultry Science. For additional information, consult the Graduate School website.

Admission Requirements - Applicants for the M.S. or Ph.D. degree must have a bachelor's or M.S. degree, respectively, from an institution of recognized standing. A sound background in chemistry, biological sciences, agricultural sciences and/or food science is also needed. Three letters of recommendation are required for all applicants. More information about specific requirements such as GPA and GRE scores can be found on the Graduate School website.

Application- Prior to making formal application, prospective students are strongly encouraged to directly contact potential major advisors in the Department who are conducting research in an area in which the student is interested. A letter of introduction and the letters of recommendation are sent to the Graduate Program Officer at the time of application. Formal application, including application form, transcripts, GRE scores and fee, is made directly to the Graduate School. The application is forwarded to the Department for evaluation by the departmental admissions committee, who make recommendations regarding acceptability and awarding of assistantships. Final notification of admission status is made by the Graduate School. All questions should be directed towards the Graduate Program Officer. Graduate research assistantships are available for qualified students.

Overview - Auburn University is centrally located in the most productive and influential poultry production region in the world. Therefore, the Department of Poultry Science is ideally located, and provides unique opportunities for the advanced graduate training demanded by one of the largest agribusinesses in the world, the poultry industry.

Auburn, Alabama. The University's main campus of 1,871 acres occupies the entire southwestern quadrant of the city of Auburn, Alabama. The city has a population of approximately 50,000, including resident students, and is located 60 miles northeast of Montgomery, 120 miles southeast of Birmingham, and 125 miles southwest of Altanta. An excellent highway system connects Auburn to these metropolitan areas and their airport facilities.

Research Facilities. The Department of Poultry Science has outstanding research facilities, including a state-of-the-art research farm, and well-equipped laboratories. The former supports all activities encountered in the commercial poultry industry (feed mill, hatchery, breeder and layer flocks, broiler grow-out facilities, pilot processing plant, specific-pathogen-free flock,etc.); while the latter supports the needs of basic and applied biological research. Research facilities and equipment enable work in molecular biology, disease biocontainment, radioisotope utilization, anaerobic bacteriology, flow cytometry, atomic absorption-mass spectroscopy, etc. Additionally, the Department has excellent computer support including net-work access. Researchers in the Department also collaborate closely with other scientists in other departments and colleges across Auburn University; therefore, graduate students have access to a wide variety of research facilities, resources and expertise.

Auburn University is a state-supported, land-grant institution founded in 1856. It has a long tradition of academic excellence and graduate education, awarding its first graduate degree in 1870. The largest university in Alabama, Auburn has twelve college and schools in addition to the Graduate School. These are Agriculture, Architecture, Business, Education, Engineering, Forestry, Human Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Pharmacy, Sciences and Mathematics and Veterinary Medicine.

The Department of Poultry Science offers exceptional research opportunities in four major areas: Physiology, Nutrition, Poultry Health, and Processing/Food Science. Graduate students obtain advanced training and faculty supervison, leading to M. S. or Ph.D degrees in Poultry Science in one of these areas. Our faculty.

Further Information For additonal information about graduate studies in Poultry Science or to arrange a visit to the Department, please contact:

Sarge Biligili, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Officer
(334) 844-2612
bilgisf@auburn.edu

Don Conner, Ph.D.
Department Head
(334) 844-2639
connede@auburn.edu