MSc Animal Sciences. Is this the right programme for me? René Kwakkel, Programme Director MSc Animal Sciences

Transcription

1 MSc Animal Sciences Is this the right programme for me? René Kwakkel, Programme Director MSc Animal Sciences Anet van den Biggelaar, Student Coach MSc Animal Sciences

2 Why MSc Animal Sciences? Academic education in Animal Sciences Advanced and in-depth knowledge Develop scientific skills Explore modern approaches in scientific research Critical attitude towards scientific results Train yourself in asking the why-question (vs. how ) Become a specialist! A tailor-made approach!! 2

3 Domain of the programme Animals kept by humans 1. Animal Physiology: gene organism Health and adaptation Behaviour Welfare Human: care taker Breeding programmes Farm management Economics Nutrition 3. Society Government (policy) Consumer perception Food safety and quality Sustainable development Livestock companion, zoo and semi-wild animals 4. World Food security Epidemiology Global variations Environmental impact 3

4 MSc specialisations (chair groups) Animal Breeding and Genetics (ABG) Animal Nutrition (ANU) Animal Health & Behaviour (ADP,BHE) Animal Health Management (QVE,HMI) Animal Production Systems (APS) Applied Zoology (CBI,EZO,HAP) 4

5 Outline of the Programme (1) Period 3: 6 credits Period 1: Period 2: Holidays 12 credits 12 credits reexam Period 4: 6 credits Period 5: Period 6: 12 credits 12 credits Year 1: Mix of thesis preparing & optional courses (60 credits) Year 2: Minor thesis/internship (24 credits) Major thesis (36 credits) English Different methods of teaching For MSc graduation: 120 ECTS credits Internet: ssc.wur.nl/handbook 5

6 Outline of the Programme (2) Year 1 Scientific Skills Training (3+3 credits) or Academic Consultancy Training (9+3 credits) Deficiency courses ( 18 credits): Advanced Statistics (compulsory) + maximal two BSc Animal Sciences courses Advanced specialisation courses ( 12 credits) Optional courses (e.g. as preparation for your Minor thesis) Year 2 Major thesis (36 credits) Minor thesis (24 credits) / Internship (discuss with your study advisor) Internet: ssc.wur.nl/handbook 6

7 Specialisation and Professional orientation 1. Specialisation = major thesis (and minor thesis) 2. Professional Track = broadening; minor thesis in a professional field: Research Master Track Business & Management Track Education Track Communication & Policy Track 7

8 Example of thesis topics ABG: Genome-wide association analysis for minerals found in milk of dairy cattle ANU: Improving nutrient utilization by synchronization using the pre-ruminant calf as a model ADP: Relation between behaviour and immunity in chickens QVE: Effect of vaccination against Porcine Circo Virus in pigs APS: Relative value of feed efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emission along the dairy chain in the Netherlands EZO: Swimming performance in pregnant live-bearing fish 8

9 European MSc-programmes: Something extra Animal Behaviour and Welfare Assessment (SLU-Sweden) EURAMA (European MSc Animal Management & Economics) EMABG (European Master in Animal Breeding & Genetics) EM-SANF (European Master in Sustainable Animal Nutrition & Feeding) These joint programmes lead to a Double Degree (= two diplomas!) 9

10 Job opportunities Researcher (scientific and applied): PhD Companies: Commercial or technical Knowledge transfer: Teacher, advisor Policy (government, NGO): Policy maker Often further development to management within the Netherlands or abroad 10

11 Preparation for MSc Follow a tailored Minor at Wageningen University Good preparation for your MSc Way to experience Wageningen University credits MSc-preparing Minor or thematic Minor Contact Egbert Kanis, [email protected] 11

12 Admission procedure Admission criteria: Bachelor degree in related field Grade Point Average (GPA) 70% Fluency in English, written and spoken (HAVO 7; VWO 6; Oxford Online Placement Test > 60 %) Skills in mathematics and/or statistics Basic computer skills Admission committee judges on an individual basis! (If your GPA is not 7: you need 2 recommendation letters!) (admitted? acceptance registration package) 12

13 Application Apply online via Click banner Apply for Master programme Advise: - Don t wait for HBO graduation (deadline Aug 1 st ) - Check specialisation(s) of interest on - Make preliminary schedule (ssc.wur.nl/handbook) - Make appointment to discuss your tailor-made programme (with classroom mates) Contact René Kwakkel (via secretary) T +31 (0) or [email protected] 13

14 Animal Sciences, in a nutshell Academic education Unique in the Netherlands Animals in relation to humans (function) Optional courses International (programme ánd student community) Wageningen no. 1 study city MSc Animal Sciences is ranked as top education! 14

15 Choosing MSc Animal Sciences Anet van den Biggelaar Student coach MSc Animal Sciences 15

16 Why I chose to do a master Background: Professional bachelor Animal Husbandry (University of Applied Science, HAS Den Bosch) Why follow a master programme? Gain more knowledge Specialisation Discover the research part Challenge myself Develop more skills and competences 16

17 Why Wageningen University? Positive reactions from other students Pleasant atmosphere Connection with previous study Possibility to create your own programme Good (international) reputation 17

18 My Study YEAR 1 Compulsory skills courses Courses for specialisations: Major thesis: Animal Nutrition 4 courses (24 credits) Minor thesis: Business economics 3 courses (18 credits) Grassland Sciences 18

19 YEAR 2 Focus on dairy cattle My Study Minor thesis in Business Economics: Optimizing selective dry cow therapy using in-line SCC monitoring from an AMS Major thesis in Animal Nutrition: Implementing a reticular sampling method for getting an estimate of Microbial Protein Yield, aiming to identify treatment differences as well as model validation 19

20 HBO vs. University University of Applied Sciences (HBO) Wageningen University Dutch Group learning: project oriented education Broader education Management-attitude English Individual learning: practicals, lectures, selfstudy Education towards indepth knowledge Scientific/ critical thinking 20

21 Next to my study Live in a house with 5 other students in Wageningen Study association De Veetelers Board of the Social evening commission 21

22 How to find a room? Living in Wageningen Student housing Wageningen: Kamernet: Ask around! 22

23 Some suggestions Know why you sign up for an MSc programme Think about doing courses in advance, e.g. Introduction Statistics Visit open days or attend student for a day activities of Wageningen University Check us out on Facebook & Twitter If you decide to follow a master, join the AID in August! 23

24 More information (also for this ppt) Programme director René Kwakkel Tel (secretary) Student coach Anet