MSc thesis and research practice of the Animal Nutrition Group

The aim of this research practice is to apply knowledge and perform skills in a potential future work field. In contrast to the MSc internship, the research practice especially prepares for a career in science.

Before starting the thesis research, you will require some degree of nutritional knowledge. The latter can be gained by attending all three ANU courses or - at least - the relevant ANU courses for your Major or Minor thesis.

Compulsory courses Major thesis

• Animal Nutrition & Physiology
• Feed Technology or Nutrient Dynamics

Compulsory course Minor thesis

• Animal Nutrition & Physiology (animal-related subject) or Feed Technology (technology-related subject)

Detailed information about these courses can be found at this website or in the Study Handbook of the Wageningen University.

Thesis and research practice topics

The thesis and research practice topics for MSc students at the Animal Nutrition Group vary considerably and can cover a whole range of animal species, research techniques and disciplines of animal nutrition. Most of our students take part in our research projects and their work contributes significantly to project results. We are open for your suggestions to create a palatable and challenging in-depth MSc thesis or research practice.

• Start the process of finding a thesis or research practice topic by filling in the intake form.
• Any questions? Contact our thesis coordinators via anu.thesis@wur.nl.

After completing the intake form, you will receive an e-mail to schedule an appointment with one of our thesis coordinators:

Subject and planning of your ANU thesis or research practice

All available MSc thesis or research practice subjects can be consulted via one of the MSc thesis coordinators. After completing the intake form, a consultation meeting will be scheduled with you by the MSc thesis coordinator. During this meeting, you will discuss the research you are interested in and next steps in the organisation of the thesis. The process of finding a thesis or research practice topic should start at least 6 months in advance to ensure the actual start date of the research. Agreements made between you and your supervisor(s) regarding the subject and organisation of the research are documented in the Thesis Agreement or Research Practice Learning Agreement. You are responsible to ensure that a signed agreement is developed and handed in at the ANU secretariat.

In the case you want to perform research in collaboration industry or abroad, you follow the same procedure described above. Do not contact industrial companies or foreign universities on your own initiative!

For your and our convenience, use the following the check-list

• Fill in this intake form: https://forms.office.com/r/kvpUaW5nrL. Thereafter, you will be contacted by one of the MSc thesis coordinators via anu.thesis@wur.nl to schedule a meeting.
• Read the study guide (see Documents page).
• Download the Master thesis agreement (see Documents page), complete the agreement, and have it signed by your supervisor(s).
• Attend 6 MaMi-presentations and 6 Colloquia (36/39 ECTS) or 3 MaMi-presentations and 3 Colloquia (24/33 ECTS).
• Register for the thesis rings (office.anu@wur.nl) and attend all meetings of your thesis ring group.
• If applicable, obtain access to Zodiac during evenings and weekends or the experimental facilities. Discuss this with your supervisor(s).
• If applicable, read the laboratory rules (see Documents page).
• Read the Thesis assessment rubric so you know the specific aspects of your thesis work that will be appreciated by your supervisor(s). The thesis evaluation form and the thesis assessment rubric are listed on the Documents page. The form indicates that your 'Research competence' and 'Thesis report' will both account for 40% of the final grade, the 'Colloquium' and 'Examination' both 10%.