The Department’s Graduate Committee is comprised of ten members appointed by the Department Chair. The chair of the Graduate Committee is appointed by the Dean of the Office of Graduate Studies upon the recommendation of the Department Head. The other Graduate Committee members are appointed by the Department Head and represent Animal Breeding and Genetics, Meat Science and Muscle Biology, Non-Ruminant Nutrition, Physiology, Ruminant Nutrition, Distance-delivered Graduate Programming (e.g., Master of Applied Science), Outstate Research and Extension Centers, and the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. A graduate student from the Animal Science Department also is identified to serve as a non-voting student liaison to the Graduate Committee.
The Committee responds to inquiries from prospective students, handles review of applications and admissions, develops program policies and departmental program coordination, addresses student academic problems, approves doctoral supervisory committees, develops departmental recruiting grants, and addresses student concerns. The goal of the Committee is to develop and maintain excellence in the departmental graduate program. Students should feel free to approach the Department Head, any member of the Graduate Committee or a Graduate Faculty member with concerns or comments related to their graduate programs.