College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Curricula in Animal Science
Production/Industry Option Curriculum
This curriculum prepares students for careers in animal-oriented agribusinesses. Other courses, in addition to basic animal science courses, include agronomy, genetics, veterinary science, economics, management, accounting, marketing and personnel management. A wide array of internships giving students invaluable experience in all phases of livestock production and related industries is available. Career opportunities include sales, management, public relations, marketing, quality control and education. Students may concentrate on an emphasis area within this option, including the following.
Beef cattle. Students receive training that enables them to pursue careers in ranch management, feedlot management, pharmaceutical sales and other service-oriented livestock industries. Students are trained in all aspects of production, marketing and merchandising techniques for employment in the beef industry. The University Beef Cattle Center gives students hands-on experience.
Dairy. The focus of this emphasis area is to develop a well-rounded, knowledgeable student. Students have the opportunity to apply scientific principles, problem-solving methods, state-of-the-art techniques and information transfer to complex dairy production systems.
Equine. Designed for students with professional or vocational interests in horses and the horse industry. Course work emphasizes equine nutrition, breeding, reproduction, health, management, training and judging. Lectures are reinforced with laboratories in which students work with horses. Graduates are well prepared for careers with horse production farms, stallion stations, performance and race training stables, breed associations, performance horse organizations, feed and pharmaceutical companies, county extension positions, and other industries and agencies related to the horse industry. Some graduates become professional horse show judges and trainers.
Meat. Students prepare for a career in the meats industry by taking meat science and processing and evaluation courses. Students also can conduct research through special problems courses and can gain valuable work experience on campus in the Meat Science Section or the Rosenthal Meat Science and Technology Center or off campus through internships or summer jobs. Job opportunities are available in packing, processing, retailing, purveying, food service, promotion, public relations and government regulatory agencies.
Sheep. Designed to prepare students for careers in the sheep and goat industries and in the associated wool and mohair industries, this emphasis gives students first-hand experience in sheep production and management practices, as well as procedures for processing and evaluating fleeces. Job opportunities are diverse and include flock management, marketing of lamb and fiber products, feed and pharmaceutical sales and county extension agent positions.
Swine. This emphasis area is designated for students planning to pursue a career in swine production or closely allied industries. Students are taught the principles of breeding and genetics, nutrition and feeding, animal health, environmental control and waste management as they relate to profitable swine production systems. These principles are reinforced by hands-on experience with the department’s swine herd. Career paths include management of swine production units and technical service or sales for feed, pharmaceutical and breeding stock companies.
Production/Industry Option Curriculum
| Required course | (Th-Pr) | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| AGEC 330 Financial Management in Agriculture | (3-0) | 3 |
| ANSC 437 Marketing and Grading of Livestock and Meats | (3-0) | 3 |
| CHEM 222 Elements of Organic and Biological Chemistry | (0-3) | 3 |
| CHEM 242 Elementary Organic Chemistry Lab. | 1 | |
| MGMT 309 Survey of Management or AGEC 340 Agribusiness Management | (3-0) | 3 |
| VTPP 323 Physiology of Domestic Animals | (3-0) | 3 |
| BIOL 107 Zoology | (3-3) | 4 |
| Accounting elective1 | 3 | |
| Economics elective2 | 3 | |
| Entomology elective3 | 3 | |
| Microbiology elective4 | 3 | |
| Production electives5 | 8 | |
| General electives6 | 16 | |
| 56 |
NOTES:
- ACCT 209.
- AGEC 105, ECON 202, 203.
- ENTO 201, 208.
- DASC 326, BIOL 206.
- Students should select production electives from ANSC 406, 412, 414 or 420.
- Students may choose a concentration in beef, dairy, horses, swine, sheep and goats or meat science by selecting electives in these areas.