NOTE: Emphasis groups have been discontinued starting in Fall 2020 due to the interdisciplinary nature of Nutritional Sciences.

This emphasis group takes a comprehensive view of animal nutrition, with a focus on expanding the understanding of nutrient utilization. This group is concerned both with performance of domestic animals and general comparative nutrition across animal species. Studies may range from applied animal feeding trials to basic studies on nutrient metabolism or integrated whole animal metabolism with an emphasis on quantification and regulation. Studies in this area require specialized knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, and statistics. Learn about the group faculty members’ research interests by viewing the Animal Nutrition Emphasis Group Faculty page.

NOTE: The Animal Nutrition Emphasis Group does NOT offer an M.S. degree.

Prerequisites for Admission*

Students with undergraduate degrees in the biological sciences (nutrition, biology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, etc.) generally will have already taken the prerequisite courses for our first year graduate-level classes. Students with other degrees who are interested in our graduate program should take courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, and calculus or statistics before applying.

*Course deficiencies must be made up in the first semester of study.

IGPNS Core Requirements – Ph.D. Track 

View the Graduate Curriculum page for descriptions of the courses below.

1. Nutritional Sciences courses – 8 credits
   • NS 619 Intermediary Metabolism of Macronutrients – 3 credits
   • NS 621 Introduction to Nutritional Epidemiology – 1 credit
   • NS 623 Minerals – 1 credit
   • NS 625 Obesity and Diabetes – 1 credit
   • NS 626 Experimental Diet Design -1 credit (may waive if completed course in feed formulation)
   • NS 627 Vitamins – 1 credit
2. Specialized courses (2 credits)
3. Seminars
   • NS 600 Introductory Seminar in Nutrition – 1 credit
   • NS 931 Seminar in Nutrition – 1 credit : All graduate students are required to enroll and attend every semester, except when there is a course conflict.
   • AnSci 931 Seminar in Animal Nutrition – 1 credit : Students must enroll every year and present three seminars for a letter grade. A seminar course from outside IGPNS could be substituted for one of the three required emphasis group seminars.
4. Teaching Experience (1 – 3 credits)
   • NS 799 Practicum in Nutritional Sciences Teaching (or equivalent experience)

Animal Nutrition Emphasis Group Ph.D. Course Requirements

(Minimum of 12 course credits) The following courses are examples; consult the current Timetable for new course offerings.

1. Stats 571, 572 – (8 credits)
2. Laboratory Courses – (2 credits); e.g. Biochem 651 or 653; Biomolecular Chem. 504 or 612; Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences 529 or 701
3. Animal Nutrition Course – (2 credits) 400 level or above
4. Research credits to meet the University of Wisconsin-Madison requirement of at least 51 total graduate credits, of which 32 credits minimum must be in residence.

Minor

Students receive substantial breadth in their emphasis group coursework but are strongly encouraged to obtain additional breadth through the completion of a minor.

1. Minor program, 10 cr. minimum. Courses taken to fulfill Animal Nutrition Emphasis Group 1 and 2 requirements may also be used to meet the requirements of a distributed minor. Courses taken to fulfill IGPNS Core Course Requirements may not double count toward the minor. A minor is not required for the IGPNS Ph.D degree.