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Join TAGU · Graduate study

Study animal breeding and genetics at Kasetsart

Master's and Ph.D. research in animal breeding and genetics at Kasetsart University: real farm data, genomics and partners from Bangkok to Florida.

How to applyAsk a question
On a cattle farm visit with farmers and students
On a cattle farm visit with farmers and students

Research areas and skills

What you will work on

Research areas

Skills you will build

  1. Quantitative genetics

    Heritability, breeding values, selection indexes and mating plans.

  2. Genomic selection

    DNA markers that predict an animal's genetic merit earlier and more accurately.

  3. Data science and programming

    Cleaning large farm datasets, fitting statistical models, writing reproducible code.

  4. Field work with partners

    Farms, cooperatives and industry partners: where the data comes from.

  5. International collaboration

    Long-standing links with the University of Florida and a joint Ph.D. with Nagoya.

With the TAGU team at the Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University

What students here research

See all theses

  • Ph.D. · 2025

    Genetic improvement for economically important traits of snakeskin gourami (Trichopodus pectoralis)

    Onprang Sutthakiet

  • Ph.D. · 2021

    Genetics of Thai red junglefowl and indigenous chickens (KU–Nagoya University joint degree)

    Ayano Hata

  • Master's · 2021

    Genetic analysis for body weight and survival of giant freshwater prawn (macrobrachium rosenbergii)

    Rangsrid Chaicharim

Student life at TAGU

On farms, in the lab and at conferences

  1. Mar 2026

    Testing AI phenotyping

    A Ph.D. student measures Brahman cattle from images, Suphan Buri

  2. Jul 2022

    DNA extraction in the lab

    Dairy blood samples for genomic evaluation

  3. Sep 2024

    Genotyping array lecture

    GWAS and genomic selection for breeding and conservation

  4. Apr 2026

    Carcass and meat data

    Part weights and meat colour of Nil Kaset and Betong chickens

  5. Nov 2025

    Recording chicken phenotypes

    Crest size and skin colour (L*a*b*) of 16-week-old chickens

  6. Jul 2022

    Blood sampling for genomics

    48 DPO young bulls and farmers' cows, Muak Lek

  7. Oct 2019

    Data session with a dairy co-op

    Milk quality and yield per farm, Khon Kaen

  8. Aug 2024

    Seven talks at NASCoT 12

    12th National Animal Science Conference, Cha-am

  9. Jun 2026

    Daily milk-yield data

    An M.S. student at the DPO high-efficiency dairy farm

Programs and how to apply

Two degrees, four steps

Both degrees are offered by the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University (Bangkhen). Prof. Skorn chairs both programs.

  • M.S. in Animal Science

    Research only (Plan A1) or coursework plus a thesis (Plan A2), built on real farm or genomic data.

  • Ph.D. in Animal Science

    Independent research toward publication in international journals, with access to TAGU's partners at home and abroad.

  1. Step 1

    Explore the themes

    Read about the six research areas and the papers behind them, and find the question that excites you.

    Browse research

  2. Step 2

    Email Prof. Skorn (recommended)

    Before you apply, send your CV and a short note on your research interest to agrskk@ku.ac.th. You will need a research direction for the selection interview, and KU Graduate School scholarships are applied for together with your advisor.

  3. Step 3

    Apply through the KU Graduate School

    Apply online to the M.S. or Ph.D. in Animal Science (program code XA28) in one of the Graduate School's three rounds a year. Selection is a written exam and an interview at the department. Ph.D. applicants also need an English test score (for example IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 61) and a research pre-proposal of up to 4 pages. Dates and fees change each year.

    grad.ku.ac.th (opens in a new tab)

  4. Step 4

    Look for funding

    KU Graduate School scholarships include a monthly stipend for international students and a thesis-publication scholarship for Thai students; both are applied for together with your advisor and change each year. Ask about options when you write.

Questions students ask

Ready to start?

Tell Prof. Skorn about yourself and the research you want to do.

Contact as a prospective student

  1. Yes. Past graduates came from Ethiopia, Japan and Myanmar as well as Thailand, and one graduated through KU's joint Ph.D. with Nagoya University. International applicants apply through KU's English application and pay an international fee each semester.

  2. Both degrees are regular Thai programs; KU publishes the admission forms in Thai and English. TAGU's international students have written their theses in English. Ph.D. applicants need an English test score, and M.S. students must meet KU's English requirement before graduating. Ask about course language when you write.

  3. A degree in animal science, agriculture or a related field such as veterinary science, zoology, genetics or environmental science. A Ph.D. straight after a bachelor's degree needs a GPA of at least 3.25. Statistics or programming experience helps, and you will build both skills during the program.

  4. KU Graduate School scholarships change each year and are applied for together with your advisor, so ask about funding when you first email Prof. Skorn.

  5. You agree it with your advisor, usually within one of TAGU's six species themes, and present your proposed topic at the selection interview (Ph.D. applicants also submit a 4-page pre-proposal). Mention your interest in your first email.