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Avian Biology BSA/Poultry Science MS

The Double Dawgs Avian Biology B.S.A./Poultry Science M.S. was generated for those students who have developed an interest in pursuing a career working with wild birds, domestic birds, and/or poultry. The program is tailored to give a student both concentrated coursework in avian biology, and experience conducting an M.S.-level research project in a selected sub-field within avian biology or poultry science. Faculty who mentor students through this program work in a variety of areas, including avian nutrition, reproduction, poultry production, avian immunology, genetics, and physiological ecology. Research interests of specific faculty can be viewed at: http://www.caes.uga.edu/departments/poultry/people/faculty.html.

Upon completion of this dual degree, students will have a variety of career options. The degree provides an excellent bridge into a veterinary program with a concentration in avian medicine. Students who find they love the research aspect can continue into the pharmaceutical and/or poultry lab industry, often at a higher pay scale compared to entry with only a B.S.A. degree. Alternatively, students may choose to pursue further graduate study towards a job as a head researcher in an academic or industry setting. Through our program, students will gain not only education and research experience, but also introductions to key contacts that are critical to getting jobs in the fields of avian biology and poultry science.

View 5-year Sample Program of Study

Admission to Program

Applications for the pathway (Avian Biology B.S.A./Poultry Science M.S.) will be due by June 1st of the student's 2nd year at UGA. Review of applications will occur in June and decisions will be made before the start of the next fall semester. Students will be required to submit an unofficial transcript, a curriculum vitae, 3 letters of recommendation, and have GRE scores sent to UGA. Admission to the program is contingent on the student finding a mentor who is willing to serve as the student's major professor and guide and fund the student's M.S. degree research. If the major professor decides against mentoring the student after admission and the student does not acquire a new major professor within one semester, the student will be dismissed from the dual degree pathway.

Admission requirements into the pathway include a minimum GPA of 3.2 and a signed letter from a faculty member in the Department of Poultry Science agreeing to serve as major professor for the student. In addition, the student must have completed and passed CHEM 2212 and CHEM 2212L.

Faculty may not petition the admission of the student if that student does not meet the minimum requirements.

Curriculum

Graduate-level courses that may be used to satisfy undergraduate and graduate program requirements.

Four courses from the following graduate-level courses can be used to satisfy both undergraduate and graduate program requirements:

POUL(BIOL) 4060/6060 (3) - Reproductive Endocrinology
POUL 4200/6200-4200L/6200L (4) - Avian Anatomy and Physiology
WILD(ECOL) 4060/6060-4060L/6060L (3) - Ornithology
ANNU(ADSC)(POUL) 4370/6370 (3) - Monogastric Nutrition
POUL 4300/6300 (3) - Nutritional Immunology in Health and Production
POUL(FDST) 4860/6860-4860L/6860L (3) - Poultry Processing

Additional requirements that are unique to this Double Dawgs program:

N/A

Admission to Graduate Program

To gain admission to the graduate program, students must have at least a 3.0 GPA and must get a combined GRE score (verbal and quantitative) of 297.

Program Advisor

  • Name: Kristen Navara
  • Email: knavara@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-1369
  • Address: 203 Poultry Science Building
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Undergraduate Major Information

  • Major: Avian Biology B.S.A.
  • Department/College: Poultry Science

Advising Contact

  • Name: Brian Fairchild
  • Email: brianf@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-9133
  • Address: 317 Poultry Science Building

Graduate Major Information

  • Major: Poultry Science M.S.
  • Department/College: Poultry Science

Advising Contact

  • Name: Kristen Navara
  • Email: knavara@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-1369
  • Address: 203 Poultry Science Building