General study plan for postgraduate studies in the subject of Animal
Science
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, SLU
Established by the Faculty Board 28/10/2010
Responsible departments/units:
Department of Animal Environment and Health
Department of Animal Nutrition and Management
Department of Animal Genetics
The Faculty’s postgraduate studies are comprehensively regulated by the following
documents among others referred to in the text from time to time:
1. Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100 et seqq.)
2. Ordinance on Doctoral Grants (SFS 1995:938 et seqq.)
3. Objectives of Postgraduate Study SLU (Dnr 17.31-1940/96)
4. Admissions ordinance for postgraduate studies at Sweden's Agricultural University
established by the Board 4/26/2007 ((Dnr SLU ua 41-1482/07)
5. Guidelines for postgraduate study at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal
Science (Dnr SLU ua 40-2008/07)
6. Adjustment of Research Study Subjects and Adaptation of General Study Plans in the
VH Faculty (Justering av forskarutbildningsämnen och anpassning av allmänna
studieplaner inom VH-fakulteten) (Dnr SLU ua 42-1296/08)
(Dnr SLU ua 42-1296/08)
Postgraduate study in the subject of animal science is offered with specialisation in ethology,
genetics and breeding, molecular genetics, animal hygiene, and nutrition and management.
Study programmes without a stated specialisation are focused on cross-scientific, systemsfocused or zoo-ecological research on animal environment and animals or the interplay
between animals and humans.
1. Objectives of the education
The subject of animal science is defined as the science of animals used to serve human ends.
This also includes varieties of wild animals used to increase our knowledge about
domesticated animals. Research and education in animal science aims to increase the
knowledge that is needed for sustainable use of domestic animals. The objective of this
postgraduate study programme is to acquaint the student with the general tools of science, as
well as the research methods typical for the subject.
The specialisation ethology focuses on the study of the behaviour of domestic animals, which
also includes the evolutionary development of animal behaviour as well as the influence of
internal and external factors on animal behaviour. The subject also includes studies of the
functions of various behaviours in our domestic animals in order to better understand how
behavioural disturbances arise and how natural behaviour can be promoted.
Within the specialisation genetics and breeding, the focus is on increasing knowledge of how
genetic resources can be used in a manner that is sustainable for the long term, the
significance of genetic variations for the way various trait combinations are expressed, and
methods for the study of variation and its use for general modifications of traits. The research
also aims to give increased knowledge of the interplay between genetic resources and
production systems.
The specialisation molecular genetics includes study of the organization, evolution and
function of the gene pool. The molecular processes that underlie the expression of traits in
animals and humans are studied with the of aim of understanding the relationship between
genes and phenotypes. The studies include genomes and genetic structure, stability,
recombination, replication, regulation of genetic expression, molecular evolution and
bioinformatics.
The specialisation animal hygiene includes the science of how external factors in the animal’s
natural and cultural environment influence animal health as well as measures for avoiding
environmentally-caused illnesses and promoting the health and protection of animals. The
field also includes hygienic aspects of the relationship between animal husbandry and
environment.
The specialisation nutrition and management focuses on increasing knowledge of the utility
of feed resources and taking into consideration the animals' needs and potentials in animal
husbandry; on feed evaluation and nutrient use in animals in different phases of life and
production; on the relationship between animal husbandry and animal
production/performance, reproduction and health, product quality and the environmental
impact of animal husbandry.
The postgraduate study programme results in a licentiate degree or a doctoral degree. The
licentiate degree may be credited towards continued studies to a doctoral degree. The content
and scope of the study programme shall be adjusted so that upon completion of the degree, the
student will fulfil SLU's postgraduate education objectives (3) as well as the degree objectives
from the Higher Education Ordinance (1) Appendix 2.
2. Eligibility
Eligibility for admission to the postgraduate study programme is regulated by Chapter 7 of the
Higher Education Ordinance (1) The applicant’s language abilities in English are documented
through Eng B in the national high school program in English or a passing score on a
corresponding international test (a score of 550 on the international TOEFL or an average of
6.0 on the IELTS test) (4).
For special eligibility in the subject, knowledge corresponding to at least 120 higher education
credits in biology subjects is required, of which a total of at least 30 credits must be in animal
science. The student must have demonstrated the ability to work independently, e.g. through
an advanced study project corresponding to at least 15 higher education credits. Applicants
with a different, comparable educational background may be determined to be eligible on a
case-by-case basis by the head of the department.
3. Selection and admission
Selection among eligible applicants and admission are regulated by the Higher Education
Ordinance (1) Chap 7. and by SLU’s Admissions Ordinance. The Faculty makes admissions
decisions after a recommendation from the head of the department or the person in charge of
the department or unit where the applicant will be enrolled and where the main supervisor
works.
4. Scope, contents and planning
The scope, contents and planning of the study programme are regulated by the Higher
Education Ordinance (1) chap. 6, and the Faculty guidelines (5). The study programme for the
doctoral degree corresponds to four years of full time study (240 higher education credits).
For a licentiate degree, the corresponding study period is at least two years (120 higher
education credits).
The scope of the thesis is described in the Faculty’s guidelines (5). The thesis shall be a
compilation thesis and shall be written in English. A licentiate thesis shall contain 1-2
composite papers of sufficient quality such that they could be published in a peer-reviewed
international journal. A doctoral thesis shall contain 3-5 composite papers, at least two of
which shall be accepted to or published in a peer-reviewed international journal. The doctoral
student must be listed as the “first author” in at least half of the composite papers.
Basic courses are general courses for all postgraduate students, regardless of subject and
specialisation. It is recommended that the basic courses comprise most of the following
subjects:
• laboratory animal science
• philosophy of science, ethics, research methods and information retrieval
• biometry
• pedagogy and oral presentation
• project management/leadership
• scientific writing and publication
Subject courses are intended to give depth and breadth to the student’s knowledge in his/her
subject, specialisation and research area. These courses shall provide an introduction to the
research area and good knowledge of the subject. Subject courses are chosen after discussion
between the student and supervisor, allowing leeway for the student to select based on his or
her personal interests.
Students specialising in ethology or animal hygiene should participate in relevant portions of
the department’s basic-level study programme in animal ethology, animal hygiene, animal
protection and animal science, if the corresponding knowledge has not already been attained.
For students specialising in genetics and breeding, the basic subject courses offered by the
department for postgraduate students (or other courses equivalent in content) should be
included: molecular domestic animal genetics, quantitative genetics, statistical methods in
animal breeding as well as the preservation and use of domestic animals’ genetic resources.
For the licentiate degree, at least one of these courses shall be included.
For students specialising in molecular genetics, the basic subject course in quantitative
genetics offered by the department for postgraduate students (or other courses equivalent in
content) should be included. Also for the licentiate degree this course (or other course
equivalent in content) shall be included.
For students specialising in nutrition and management, at least two of the subject courses
offered by the department for postgraduate students (Nutrition – feeding, Nutrition –
metabolism, Analytical methods, Animal Husbandry and Management) or other courses with
corresponding contents should be included.
The coursework shall comprise 30 to 75 higher education credits for the doctoral degree, 15
of which should be from basic courses. For the licentiate degree, the coursework shall
comprise 15 to 37.5 higher education credits, 7.5 of which should be from basic courses. At
least one course with an international character should be included in the programme of study.
The student shall follow the relevant international research through independent literature
study, and shall participate in seminar series. Additionally, the student is required to actively
participate in seminars and conferences related to his/her postgraduate research and study
programme.
5. Examination
Matters concerning examination, thesis defence and the licentiate seminar are regulated by the
Higher Education Ordinance (1) chap. 6, and the Faculty’s guidelines (5).
6. Degree title
The degree title is determined by the university diploma the student has completed to grant
him/her eligibility, e.g. a doctor in veterinary medicine in animal science for veterinarians,
doctor of agriculture in animal science for agronomists and Ph.D. in animal science for
biologists.
7. Supervision
Matters concerning supervision are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance (1) chap. 6,
SLU’s Admissions Ordinance (4), and the Faculty’s guidelines (5). Further, supervisors and
postgraduate students shall follow the department’s policy for postgraduate study.