Master of Animal Biosciences
Expand your animal science knowledge and advance your career.
The course-based Master of Animal Biosciences (MABS) is offered through our Department of Animal Biosciences and focuses on advanced training in specialized aspects of the animal sciences.
Focus your knowledge
Select courses to target an area of expertise: Breeding and Genetics; Animal Nutrition; Animal Behaviour and Welfare; Animal Physiology; or Digital Animal Analytics.
Course-based learning
This professionally oriented master’s is completed through six courses + a major research paper or 12-16 week internship.
World-class faculty
Tap into the knowledge, expertise and research of the 25+ faculty in the Department of Animal Biosciences.
Expand your network
Join a thriving community of over 130 graduate students who share similar interests and career goals.
Complete in 1 year
Full-time students can complete the program in one year (or three semesters) – getting you back into the workforce quickly.
Access unique facilities
Learn in high-quality research and laboratory facilities focused on genomics, nutrient analyses, physiology, welfare, meats and microbiology.
- Six (6) courses + a major research project or 12-16 week internship; typically completed in one (1) year
If you are interested in completing a thesis with a faculty advisor, please check out our MSc in Animal Biosciences (Thesis/Research) option.
Students in the MABS program will complete a minimum of 4.0 credits comprised of required and elective courses.
Required Courses
- ANSC*6610 (Scientific Communication, Knowledge Dissemination and Professional Development); 0.5 credits
- One of UNIV*6020 (Experimental Design and Applied Data Analysis for the Agricultural Sciences); 0.5 credits or STAT*6950 (Statistical Methods for the Life Sciences); 0.5 credits
- One of ANSC*6900 (Major Research Paper); 1.0 credits or IAEF*6030 (Internship in Agriculture, Environment, Food and Communities); 1.0 credits
You will then select at least four (4) additional electives from this course list. To help guide your studies, here are recommended graduate courses in the five areas of specialization.
MABS Capstone options: Major Paper or Internship
What is the Major Paper?
The major paper is a detailed, critical review of an area of study related to your chosen specialization. It should include analyses and interpretations of relevant data, which may involve working with existing datasets or conducting original research. Depending on the scope of the project, the course may span one or two semesters. You will work closely with a faculty supervisor and may engage in experimental work, research planning, or data analysis. The final product could take a variety of forms, including:
- A manuscript suitable for publication
- A technical report
- A standard operating procedure
- A white paper or set of guidelines
Why choose this option?
- Gain deeper expertise in your chosen area of study
- Work closely with a faculty supervisor and build research mentorship
- Strengthen analytical and writing skills for research, academic, or policy careers
- Build a portfolio-ready project that reflects your academic strengths
What is the Internship?
The internship provides the opportunity for hands-on, real-world experience in an organization aligned with your specialization and career interests. You’ll apply your knowledge to practical challenges, develop professional networks, and gain insight into industry operations. The internship spans the summer semester and culminates in a reflective report or presentation that integrates your experience with academic concepts.
Why choose this option?
- Apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges
- Build industry connections and expand your professional network
- Develop practical skills valued by employers
- Explore diverse career paths in industry, production, government, or non-profit organizations
Both pathways are designed to help you demonstrate your mastery of your field, whether through research or practical application. Choose the capstone option that best aligns with your career goals.
- Technician
- Project Manager
- Animal care assistant
- Sales and services representative
- Veterinary assistant
- Consultant
Master’s graduates from the Department of Animal Biosciences have careers in diverse fields. We recently conducted a career destination survey of 467 master’s graduates of the department. View the results here:
This program is predominantly a self-funded professional program. As such, students need to be prepared to cover the full costs of the program, but many animal biosciences graduate students compete successfully for University of Guelph scholarships and awards.
More details on funding your graduate studies are available on the Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website.
More information on courses and admission requirements can be found here.
Meet Your Profs
My research program seeks to understand the underlying physiology of diseases common in horses, and how these diseases can be modified with targeted nutrition, with a focus on cartilage biology.
It's the data that makes me excited, but what makes me even more excited is when my graduate students come from trying to understand how to put that in the context of our global understanding about dog and cat nutrition and I see them move into a state of excitement over the data.
How to Apply
Application to this program is more like the process of a job application (rather than the process you went through applying for your undergrad degree).
In addition to your transcripts and references, you also need to submit a longer Statement of Interest and your Résumé.
Your Statement of Interest should be:
- 1 - 2 pages long
- Clearly indicate what your career goals are, and why the Master of Animal Biosciences program is a good fit
- What your area of interest is (animal behaviour and welfare, nutrition etc.)
- Whether you are interested in an industry-focused internship or research-focused major paper
Apply directly online here: Applying to Guelph.
View cost of tuition/living at U of G
- An honours baccalaureate, with a minimum average grade of 73% (B) during the last 2 years of full-time equivalent study. For Canadian degrees, we interpret this as the last 20 semester courses, however we do not split a semester and we will not consider any fewer than 16 courses.
- A faculty advisor is not required for acceptance into the program. However, if you are wishing to pursue the research-focused Major Paper capstone option, then it is strongly recommended that you reach out to potential supervisors before applying to the program.
Fall Intake (no faculty advisor required)
- International applications are due by February 1st
- Domestic applications are are due by June 1st
Applications are assessed as they come in, so early application is encouraged.
More details on the U of G graduate program application process here.
- Not sure what your “admission average” is? Here’s more details on how to calculate it: Calculating Your Admission Average | Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
- International applicants: please use this guide to compare your academic credentials and determine the grade equivalency needed. Additional information available on the International Applicants page.
- If your first language is not English, you will be required to submit the results of a standardized language test. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Studies website for the required English Language Proficiency acceptable tests and required scores.
- More resources for international applicants are available on the U of G Graduate & Postdoctoral website.
Additional Options
You may also be interested in MSc in Animal Biosciences (Research/Thesis).
Contact
For questions on applying and admissions, contact:
Dr. Belinda Ward-Campbell, Academic Coordinator
abscgradcoursework@uoguelph.ca
Department of Animal Biosciences
For questions on graduate program options, contact:
Leigh West
Ontario Agricultural College (OAC)
lewest@uoguelph.ca
519-824-4120
The main reason I pursued graduate studies was the desire to continue learning. Fortunately, the Department of Animal Biosciences offers a one-year Master's degree by coursework. Personally, I’ve enjoyed graduate school more than my undergraduate experience. Yes, it has been academically challenging, but I really feel like my professors are more like mentors, and the amount of effort I put into my courses is what I will get out of them.