MSc Animal Science
The MSc in Animal Science programme from University College Dublin is suitable for students who wish to undertake advanced studies in pursuit of a career in the livestock sector.
Quick Facts
| Duration | 1 year full-time 2 years part-time |
| Start Date | September |
| Tuition Fee | €9,690 per year full time €108 per credit part-time |
| Location | Online |
This unique MSc in Animal Science programme from University College Dublin was designed after comprehensive consultation with leading stakeholders including animal nutrition and health industries. This new MSc aims to equip graduates with cutting edge skills and position them for leadership roles in a dynamic and critically important sector of the global economy.
This innovative programme enables students to focus their studies on specific aspects of animal science including genetics & genomics, reproduction, nutrition and health. For those with an enquiring mind, a deeper understanding of scientific principles relevant to solving issues currently limiting system sustainability will be reflected in new modules developed for this MSc, including immunobiology, sustainable livestockand global food systems.
Flexible programme choices enable students to focus their studies on an area of specific interest for the development of deeper expertise or tailor their module choice for a broader selection. A key strategy of the MSc is to foster the development of communication and transferable skills to enable the student to best represent their skillset and become leading ambassadors for sustainable animal production systems.
The MSc Animal Science has been designed in collaboration with Industry stakeholders and will be delivered by internationally renowned discipline experts. Guest lectures and new modules will showcase the latest developments in national and international research informed by innovative projects taking place at UCD Lyons Farm.
Course structure:
- Advanced animal reproduction
- Advanced animal nutrition
- Sustainable livestock systems
- Livestock infection, immunity and One Health
- Animal Genomics and Quantitative Genetics
Testimonial
“Since I graduated from UCD with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Animal Science), my studies on livestock infectious disease have brought me from North America to Africa and back to Ireland. Completing a PhD and subsequently working in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin and Trinity College Dublin alongside human medics and researchers gave me a deep appreciation for the unique role that the animal scientist plays in securing human health. From controlling infectious disease on-farm, to safeguarding the food chain and protecting human health, animal scientists make an important contribution to society on many levels.
This MSc will showcase developments at the interface where technology meets biology and is ripe for driving innovative solutions for agriculture. Building on the unique strengths of UCD, this MSc will equip graduates with the big-picture perspective of critical issues in Animal Science but will be securely grounded on providing the scientific foundation for evidence-based innovation.”
Associate Professor Kieran Meade, Programme Director
Career Opportunities
There are a wide range of potential employment opportunities for graduates from this programme. Agriculture is a global enterprise and as such progressive individuals will identify the contribution this MSc can make across a wide range of career trajectories.
Graduate Roles include:
- Further education including PhD programmes nationally and abroad
- Policy and advisory roles within governmental departments
- Senior positions within leading nutrition, health, breeding and pharmaceutical companies
Why study with us?
UCD is consistently ranked in the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide. In the 2022 QS World University Rankings, UCD was again named as one of the best universities globally, and was placed 173rd in the world.
UCD is the most international and diverse university in Ireland with 8,500 international students from 130 different countries. Our network of 288,000 successful and influential alumni can be found in 169 different countries around the world.
The UCD campus is one of the largest urban campuses in Europe and is situated just 5 kilometres from Ireland’s capital city of Dublin. Our students enjoy world-class teaching and learning facilities, modern and comfortable student accommodation, state-of-the art sports and fitness amenities, an Olympic sized swimming pool, a cinema, cafes and student centre all on our beautiful, nature-filled campus.