The University of Illinois has joined forces with a leading Illinois swine management business to create a new master’s degree at the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

The degree – The Maschhoffs Inc.-sponsored Master of Science in Animal Sciences-Swine Production Management – is designed for high-caliber students with a bachelors of science degree in animal sciences or an associated discipline.

“This program is aimed at students planning a career in production management within the swine industry,” states Michael Ellis, a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences and head of the new degree program. “In the future, these individuals will need an increasingly broader range of technical and business management skills and practical experience if they are to be successful.

“Our program will combine the academic rigors of a master’s degree at the university with extensive practical experience and involvement in applied research studies carried out within The Maschhoffs, Inc. (organization)”

During the past decade, The Maschhoffs, Inc., headquartered at Carlyle, IL, has partnered with the university on numerous progressive swine research projects, ranging from nutrition to health to transportation and engineering.

“This program gives students a unique experience,” says Bradley Wolter, who received a PhD degree from the University of Illinois in animal sciences, and serves as The Maschhoff’s director of production technology. “In return, our company gets the opportunity to work with the bright minds who will become tomorrow’s swine industry leaders,” he adds.

Students will spend three semesters in class, involved in a wide range of applied swine research. During the final semester of the program, students will work within The Maschhoffs system on an applied research project, which will form the basis of the thesis component of their degree.

Applications for the program, which begins in the fall semester of 2007, should be submitted by Jan. 31, 2007. For further information, contact Ellis at 1207 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801.