Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Animal Breeding and Genetics

Graduate education in animal breeding & genetics (AB&G) has a long and successful history at Iowa State University, from its early beginnings with the founders of the discipline, such as Lush and Hazel, through today's world-renowned program. With a traditional emphasis on quantitative genetics, graduate degrees are offered in a broad spectrum of related disciplines, including molecular genetics, immunogenetics, and bioinformatics. Students have multiple employment opportunities upon graduation and are highly sought after for jobs in industry, research and university settings. In keeping with the major's tradition of excellence and cutting-edge science, the AB&G PhD degree program has developed the capacity for specialization in quantitative genetics and molecular genetics. Both specializations put substantial emphasis on the integration of quantitative and molecular genetics, with further in-depth study of topics related to the specialization and allow minors or co-majors in related graduate majors. Graduate research seminars and journal clubs are offered to expose students to research in related areas and to industry. This multi-disciplinary education program allows students to be better prepared for the full spectrum of challenges they will face in contemporary issues related to animal breeding and genetics. Graduate training with AB&G faculty can be obtained under a number of graduate majors. The Animal Breeding & Genetics group administers and offers MS and PhD degrees in the graduate major animal breeding & genetics. In addition, individual AB&G faculty participate in and can advise students in the following graduate majors: Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Interdepartmental Genetics, Immunobiology.