About WIAS
The Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences (WIAS) Graduate School was founded in 1993, and accredited by the Royal
Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) in 1995. It was re-accredited in June 2000, June 2005 and June 2011.
Objectives
The objective of the graduate school WIAS is to train PhD candidates to become professionally skilled scientists with strong theoretical backgrounds. WIAS aims to reach this goal
by offering advanced education, opportunities for reflection on the scientific profession, and by exposing the PhD candidates to the national and international scientific community.
Components of the PhD study
A PhD study at WIAS usually lasts four years. At least 75% of the study is dedicated to an externally refereed research project within the WIAS research programme.
About 12-25% of the PhD term, i.e. 30-60 ECTS credits, are spent on postgraduate education and training. The WIAS Education Certificate will be awarded upon graduation when the PhD candidate has fulfilled the education requirements.
More information about the PhD programme can be found here.
Research programme
WIAS aims to cover and integrate the entire spectrum of disciplinary fields ranging from fundamental zoological research to livestock and fish production sciences. There are three themes that encompass research at WIAS: (1) animal health and welfare, (2) healthy and safe products, and (3) sustainable systems. These three themes represent the three
main issues faced by society in its responsibility towards animals and animal production. WIAS research is conducted at the level of the molecule, cell, organ, individual organism, population, system and ecosystem. It
combines laboratory, field and modeling studies.
Participating groups
The following groups of Wageningen University participate in WIAS. By clicking on the links below you can access information about the research programme of each WIAS group.
Most of WIAS' research is concentrated in and around the Zodiac building at Wageningen Campus, where all necessary general and specialized laboratories are available. Special facilities include an Isotope Ratio
Mass Spectrometer (IRMS); a fully equipped Laboratory for Animal Genome Analysis; electron microscope; high speed video camera; small, medium and large climate/respiration units for farm animals; and
aquatic respiration units for fish. Brand new (2011) experimental facilities are available for horses, cattle, pigs and poultry, as well as for rats, mice, dogs and cats.
