GENETICS GRADUATE PROGRAM
Program of Study:
This multidisciplinary program in genetics offers study leading to the M.S. degree under faculty from the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA, the Departments of Plant and Soil Sciences, Animal and Dairy Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, Entomology, Forestry, and Poultry Science, and the College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to doing course work, students may carry out research projects in their field of interest. Students accepted into the program may do their thesis research with any faculty member, regardless of departmental affiliation. Students generally begin their thesis research during their first summer of residence. Broad areas of available research include: Ecological, Molecular, Physiological, and Quantitative genetics. A non-thesis degree option is also available.
Research Facilities:
All of the research laboratories are well equipped for advanced contemporary research in genetics. Such special equipment available include: adjustable nucleic acid sequencer, amino acid analyzer, electrophoresis units, spectrophotometers, spectroflourometers, gas and high pressure liquid chromatographs, flow cytometers, animal and plant research facilities, PC and mainframe computers, video digitizer, tissue culture equipment, environmental chambers, radioisotope facilities, ultracentrifuges, nuclear magnetic resonance equipment, and electron microscopes.
Financial Aid:
Graduate research assistantships are available in the range of $7,200-10,800 per year. Numerous employment opportunities are available for spouses at the University as well as in the surrounding community.
Cost of Study:
Student tuition fees for 2007‑2008 were $2,464.50 per semester. A nonresident fee of $3,245.50 is assessed to out-of-state residents. However, the non-resident portion of the tuition may be waived for full time students holding assistanships.
Cost-of-living:
The University maintains residence halls for single graduate students. Rooms cost approximately $900 per semester. University married-student housing is also available at a cost of $225 per month for a one-bedroom, unfurnished unit and $265 per month for a two-bedroom unit.
Student Group:
The University has a total enrollment of about 15,000 students, 2,500 of whom are graduate students. Undergraduates come primarily from Mississippi, but graduate students are from many states and a large number of international countries.
The Community:
Starkville is located in northeastern Mississippi. It is about ½ hour from Columbus, 2 ½ hours from Jackson, and 3 hours from Memphis, TN. New Orleans, LA, and Atlanta, GA, are about 5 hours away. Opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, swimming, and water-skiing, are available at several sites within a 30-minute drive of the campus.
The University:
Mississippi State University was established in 1878 as a state land-grant college. It has since grown to encompass nine colleges and schools. The grounds of the University occupy 4,000 acres, including the farms, pastures, and woodlands of the Experiment Stations. On-campus entertainment includes the Lyceum series, numerous concerts, and lecture series. Also available are the University-owned 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, and a recreational sports complex with a swimming pool. The University also has an active intramural sports program. The University Union has facilities for various student activities.
Applying:
Admission is granted each semester. Application must be made to the Registrar's Office. Admission procedures and requirements are available upon request. Application for financial aid must be made by June 1 for fall entrance.
Correspondence and Information:
Dr. E. David Peebles
Genetics Coordinator
Poultry Science Department
Mississippi State University
Box 9665
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(662) 325-3379
dpeebles@poultry.msstate.edu