Course Descriptions
Department of Animal Science
Professors G.R. Acuff (Head), F. W. Bazer, R.L. Edwards, D.W. Forrest, T. H. Friend, P.G. Harms, B.H. Johnson, J.T. Keeton, D.A. Knabe, D. C. Kraemer, R.K. Miller, E. A. Murano, R.D. Randel, J.O. Sanders, J.W. Savell, S.B. Smith, M. A. Tomaszewski, T.H. Welsh,Jr., G. Wu; Associate Professors D. L. Adelson, G.E. Carstens, A. Castillo, A. D. Herring, N. H. Ing, P. S. Murano, W. N. Osburn, W. S. Ramsey, C. L. Skaggs, T. E. Spencer; Assistant Professors C. G. Elsik, C. A. Gill, J. E. Sawyer, L. O. Tedeschi, M. M. Vogelsang; Lecturer N. Ferwerda
Animal Science
(ANSC)
107. (AGRI 1319, 1419*) General Animal Science. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II, S
Scientific animal agriculture; selection, reproduction, nutrition, management and marketing of beef cattle, swine, sheep, goats and horses; evaluation and processing of meat, wool and mohair. Importance of livestock and meat industries. Prerequisite: Concurrent registration in ANSC 108 required.
108. (AGRI 1419*) General Animal Science. (0-2). Credit 1. I, II, S
Laboratory to accompany ANSC 107. Prerequisite: Concurrent registration in ANSC 107 required.
201. Introductory Equine Care and Use. (2-0). Credit 2. I, II
Survey of basic equine care and use; breeds of horses and their use; care and maintenance of equines including feeding, health care, housing and equipment.
207. Art and Heritage of Livestock. (3-0). Credit 3.
Using art as a venue to understand the legacy and heritage of livestock production and livestock's contribution to civilization and society; from man as hunter, agriculturalist, and finally, as industrialist; from cave paintings to Russell and Remington; history of the effects of painting, poetry, architecture and sculpture on agriculture.
242. Growth and Development of Livestock. (2-2). Credit 3. II
Evaluation of slaughter livestock as related to growth and development, production efficiency, carcass value; selection of breeding animals based on performance, production records, visual appraisal; principles of growth biology; biotechnological tools used to manage growth and development. Prerequisites: ANSC 107 and 108.
291. Research. Credit 1 to 4.
Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in animal science. May be repeated 2 times for credit. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification and approval of instructor; 2.0 GPR in major and overall.
302. Basic Beef Cattle Production. (3-0). Credit 3. I
Fundamental concepts of beef management and production principles. Service course recommended for non-animal science majors. Prerequisites: ANSC 107 and 108.
303. Principles of Animal Nutrition. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II, S
Scientific approach to nutritional roles of water, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals, vitamins, and other dietary components; emphasis on the comparative aspects of gastrointestinal tracts and on digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients. Prerequisites: CHEM 222; CHEM 227 or equivalent. Cross-listed with NUTR 303.
305. Animal Breeding. (2-2). Credit 3. I, II, Summer of even numbered years
A systems approach to selection and mating of livestock; gene frequency, heritability, relationship, inbreeding, linebreeding, heterosis, crossbreeding, direct and correlated response to selection, and use of pedigree, family, progeny testing and indices for selection. Prerequisites: ANSC 107 and 108; GENE 301; STAT301.
307. Meats. (2-3). Credit 3. I, II, S
Integrated studies of the meat animal processing sequence regarding the production of meat-type animals and the science and technology of their conversion to human food. Prerequisites: ANSC107 and 108. Cross-listed with FSTC 307.
310. Behavior and Management of Domestic Animals. (2-2). Credit 3. I, II
Application of behavior of cattle, horses, sheep, goats and swine to their management; basic principles, physiology of behavior, perception, training, predators, use of dogs in livestock production, stress and animal welfare. Prerequisites: ANSC 107 and 108.
311. Equine Behavior and Training. (1-5). Credit 3. I, II
Equine behavior and application of principles of psychology to training horses; systematic approaches to horse training emphasizing principles of learning; equipment and its use; stable management and preparation of horses for competition; separate laboratory sections for students with varying backgrounds.
312. Equestrian Technology. (1-3). Credit 2. I, II
Advanced scientific methods and techniques for execution of equine performances in hunter, dressage and stock horse events; anatomical, physiological and psychological implications; preparation of horses and riders.
314. Wool Evaluation and Grading. (1-3). Credit 2.
Evaluation of U.S.D.A. grades for wool and mohair; steps involved in processing raw wool into finished fabric; genetic and environmental factors affecting quality characteristics of wool and mohair; grading, evaluation and selection of fleeces for economic value; oral and written defense of judgments.
315. Livestock Judging. (1-3). Credit 2. I
Selection and evaluation of beef cattle, swine, sheep and horses. Ability to present accurate, clear and concise oral and written reasons stressed. Prerequisites: ANSC 107 and 108; junior or senior classification.
316. Aptitude and Performance Appraisal of Horses. (1-3). Credit 2. II
Detailed evaluation of athletic performance of horses; influence of heredity, conformation, training and other environmental effects; use of performance and racing records and visual appraisal; industry trends; oral and written defense of judgments. Prerequisite: ANSC 311 or equivalent experience.
317. Meat Selection, Evaluation and Grading. (1-3). Credit 2. I
Selection and grading of carcasses and wholesale cuts of beef, pork and lamb; principles of evaluation included in carcass contests and progeny testing. Prerequisites: ANSC 107 and 108.
318. Feeds and Feeding. (2-3). Credit 3. I, II, Summer of even numbered years
Characteristics of feedstuffs used in livestock enterprises; manual and computer ration formulation procedures and life cycle nutritional management of beef, swine, sheep, dairy, horses, fish and pets; methods of grain, protein supplement and forage processing and evaluation; commercial and on-the-farm feed mixing methods and feed control laws. Prerequisite: ANSC 303.
320. Animal Nutrition and Feeding. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II
Nutritional functions of water, protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins and their digestion, absorption, use and excretion; energy, protein and forage feedstuff characteristics and processing; nutritional requirements, ration formulation and feeding methods for farm animals; general course for non-animal science majors. Prerequisites: CHEM 222 and 227.
337. Meat Merchandising. (1-3). Credit 2.
Steps of meat processing and merchandising of retail and foodservice; merchandising practices such as selection, identification, fabrication, pricing, packaging and distribution. Prerequisites: ANSC 307; junior or senior classification.
400. Animal Science Industry Studies. Credit 1 to 3. I, II, S
Organized instruction based on well-planned visits to selected industry operations which produce, process or market animal and dairy products, or produce and market supplies and materials to support animal industries; acquaint students with such operations, to reinforce campus based instruction and to acquaint prospective employers with Texas A&M students. Field trips will normally be made during holidays or between sessions for which departmental fees may be assessed to cover costs. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification; approval of instructor organizing study tour; 2.0 GPR in major and overall. Cross-listed with DASC 400.
406. Beef Cattle Production and Management. (3-2). Credit 4. I, II, S
Basic principles and methods of application involved in breeding, feeding, management, marketing and disease control in cow-calf production. Prerequisites: ANSC 303, 305, 318; ANSC 433 or registration therein.
408. Management of Stocker and Feedlot Cattle. (2-2). Credit 3. II
Basic principles involved in feeding, management, marketing and disease control of stocker and feeder cattle from weaning through slaughter for economical production of beef. Prerequisites: ANSC 305, 406,433.
412. Swine Production and Management. (3-2). Credit 4. I
Basic principles and their practical application in efficient, economical pork production; all areas of production--breeding and selection, nutrition, housing and equipment, marketing, herd health and economic management. Prerequisites: ANSC 318 or registration therein for animal science majors; ANSC 320 or registration therein for non-animal science majors.
414. Sheep and Goat Production and Management. (3-2). Credit 4. II
Application of basic principles of genetics, physiology and nutrition to practical sheep and angora goat production systems; management, health care and marketing of animals and fiber. Prerequisites: ANSC 303 and 318 or approval of instructor.
420. Equine Production and Management. (3-2). Credit 4. II
Application of biological and biotechnological principles and concepts in areas including genetics, breeding, nutrition, reproduction, immunology, parasitology, anatomy and exercise physiology to efficient production of horses for market; management of equine enterprises. Prerequisites: ANSC 201, 305, 318, 433.
433. Reproduction in Farm Animals. (2-2). Credit 3. I, II, S
Physiological principles of reproductive processes in cattle, sheep, swine and horses including sperm and ova production, estrus, fertilization, gestation and parturition; techniques of semen evaluation and storage, estrous synchronization, embryo transfer and pregnancy determination. Prerequisite: Junior classification.
434. Animal Reproduction Management. (2-2). Credit 3. I, II, S
Available and emerging technologies; strategies including artificial insemination, embryo manipulation and transfer, control of ovulation, sex ratio manipulation and animal cloning for managing the reproductive function of farm animals; hands-on sessions using available technologies including artificial insemination of cattle. Prerequisite: ANSC 433, priority enrollment given to graduating seniors in animal science.
437. Marketing and Grading of Livestock and Meats. (2-2). Credit 3. I, II
Study of USDA livestock and carcass grades; understanding current market trends for beef, pork, lamb and goat; review of branded and certified programs; principles applied in contracting, breakeven determination, hedging, and grid or formula pricing. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
439. Feedlot Risk Management. (2-0). Credit 2. II
Advanced study of livestock marketing techniques; cash sales, video sales, futures and options markets, forward contracting; problem solving in real-time livestock marketing situations; risk of ownership of hypothetical livestock operations. Prerequisites: ANSC 437 and 438.
447. Advanced Meat Science and Technology. (3-3). Credit 4.
Advanced basic and applied studies of meat science and/or technology utilizing the underlying physiological and structural components for conversion to human food; understanding the influence of pre- and post-harvest factors on meat quality, composition, color, packaging, sensory and preparation factors; applying scientific and business principles to manufacturing and process flow of commercial meat food products and demonstrating knowledge of these principles through development of meat products. Prerequisites: ANSC 307; CHEM 222 or approval of instructor; junior or senior classification.
457. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System. (3-0). Credit 3.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles specifically related to meat and poultry; microbiological and process overviews; good manufacturing practices and standard operating procedures development. Prerequisite: FSTC 326 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with FSTC 457.
481. Seminar. (1-0). Credit 1. I, II, S
Review of literature and research problems related to the livestock and food industries; preparation of a technical report including an oral presentation supported by a written technical paper. Prerequisite: Priority enrollment given to graduating seniors in animal science.
484. Livestock Practicum. (0-2). Credit 1. I, II
Provides students an opportunity to learn some of skills required in livestock production; planned for students who have had limited farm and ranch experience in one or more species. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification in animal science or approval of instructor.
485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4. I, II, S
Directed individual study of selected problem in field of animal science. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification; written approval of professor supervising the activity; 2.0 GPR in major and overall.
489. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4. I, II, S
Selected topics in an identified area of animal science. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
491. Research. Credit 1 to 4.
Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in animal science. May be repeated 3 times for credit. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification and approval of instructor; 2.0 GPR in major and overall.
494. Animal Science Internship. Credit 1 to 5. I, II, S
Independent study and supervised field experience related to the student's professional interest. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor; 2.0 GPR in major and overall.
* See Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS).