Animal Science

Students who choose the animal science emphasis will complete courses in chemistry, biology, and agriculture in addition to completing the general requirements for an agriculture degree. Although students have some flexibility about which courses they take, students will complete at least eight credit hours of lab work and are encouraged to perform an internship.

• General Chemistry: A first course in the fundamental principles of chemistry for students in all science disciplines. Topics include measurement, the mole and reaction stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure and bonding, intermolecular forces, gases, types of reactions, and energy in chemical reactions. An introduction to laboratory safety and chemical hygiene is included in the laboratory. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory period per week.
• Organic and Biological Chemistry: Organic molecules and their functional groups and biomolecules and their function in living cells will be studied. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period per week. The laboratory will include experiments in organic and biological chemistry.
• Principles of Chemistry: A study of the fundamental principles of chemistry and an introduction to foundational issues in science. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical equilibria, chemical kinetics, chemical thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. An introduction to laboratory safety and chemical hygiene is included in the laboratory. This is the first course in chemistry for majors in the physical and life sciences. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period per week.
• Organic Chemistry: Structure and Mechanism: In this foundational organic chemistry course, students will learn the foundational topics and problem-solving skills needed to understand the plethora of chemical reactions that involve compounds containing carbon. A working knowledge and application of topics such as nucleophiles, electrophiles, acids, bases, stereochemistry, mechanism, kinetics, substitution reactions, elimination reactions, carbonyl chemistry, and conformational analysis will be developed. Through a detailed understanding of the chemistry, an honest discussion of ethical implications, and a thoughtful interaction with the material we will develop an understanding of how God reveals himself through his creational structure.
• Cell and Molecular Biology: An introduction to molecular mechanisms in living organisms. Topics include structure and functions of cellular components, gene structure and expression, and recombinant DNA technology. Concepts of reductionism and evolutionary theory will be addressed. Three lectures and one laboratory period of three hours per week.
• Microbiology: A study of the form, structure, and classification of microorganisms, including an introduction to viruses. The course will emphasize bacteria, general laboratory techniques, culturing and control of microbial growth. A substantial portion of the course will deal with immunologic processes: antibodies and antigens, host-antigen reactions, T & B cell response mechanisms, and non-specific host defense mechanisms. Three lectures and one laboratory period per week.
• Advanced Microbiology: An upper-level course in the study of microbes, their history, their cell biology, and inter-organism (symbiotic) processes. Topics will include and build on pro- and eu-karyotic distinctions, in-depth study of viruses and plasmids, anaerobic metabolism, biofilms, endosymbiosis, antibiosis, antibiotic resistance, disease mechanisms, how host immune responses develop and adapt. Laboratory work will include basic microscopic observation, culturing, and identification. Isolation and characterization of bacteria, viruses, and potential antibiosis will be featured as “unknown” work. Intended for biology majors and pre-medical students. Students cannot receive credit for both Biology 302 and 310. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
• Feeds and Feeding: The evaluation, composition, and values of feedstuffs as they relate to animal nutrient requirements will be considered. The basics of ration formulation and feeding management will be covered for the major livestock species. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
• Principles of Animal Health: Animal care and facility sanitation will be discussed, focusing on care, disease prevention, disease detection, animal treatment, pharmacology, and health programs. Three lectures per week.
• Anatomy and Physiology of Animals: The structures and functions of the major body systems will be studied as they work together in the life processes of an animal. The nervous, skeletal, muscle, circulatory, endocrine, digestive, and reproductive systems will be examined. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
• Agriculture Genetics: The current understanding of genetics will provide the basis for molecular and population genetic applications in plant and animal breeding systems. The role of genetic change in agriculture production has been, and will continue to be, an influential part of yield, quality and efficiency of production. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
• Principles of Dairy Science: Dairy reproduction, physiology, lactation, breeding, nutrition, and genetics will be discussed with an emphasis on scientific principles and their application to dairy science. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory period per week.
• Principles of Swine Science: A study of swine care and management, physiology, diseases, equipment, reproduction, and nutrition. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
• Beef and Sheep Science: A study of beef and sheep management, production, physiology, nutrition, reproduction, diseases, equipment, facilities, and care. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
• Reproductive Physiology: A study of the principles of reproductive physiology and lactation focusing on the major classes of livestock. Students will use these principles to develop an understanding of reproductive management techniques and will examine the ethics of reproductive technologies. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week for seven weeks.
• Advanced Animal Nutrition: A problem-solving approach will be taken to examine the nutrient requirements of animals in different production systems. Methods that can be used to meet those requirements will be evaluated. Ration formulation will be discussed as it relates to the different digestive systems and production requirements. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week for seven weeks.
• Meat Science: The processes of converting muscle tissue into meat and factors affecting meat quality will be studied. The role of the producer, packer, USDA, and consumer in quality and safety issues will be examined. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week for seven weeks.
• Internship: Students are given the opportunity to apply the principles of agriculture and business in an off-campus assignment. Prerequisite: sophomore, junior or senior standing.

See the course catalog for more information.