C. A. Bailey*, L. R. Berghman*, S. Birkhold*,
D. J. Caldwell*, J. B. Carey*, A. L. Cartwright*, C. R. Creger*,
J. W. Dieckert, R. C. Fanguy*, F. A. Gardner, W. F. Krueger*,
L. F. Kubena, T. W. Odom*, S. D. Pillai*, S. C. Ricke*, A. R.
Sams* (Head), R. L. Walzem*, J. J. Zhu
* Graduate Advisor
Continual growth in the poultry
industry increases the need for technical knowledge in the
various fields of science needed for a successful poultry business.
In no field of agriculture is an understanding of the fundamental
and applied sciences more marketable or more rewarding than
in the modern intensive production of poultry meat and eggs.
Because the bird is the basis for the department's graduate
program, additional areas of interest include exotic and wildlife
species as well as cellular and molecular studies using avian
models. A major objective of the department is to offer training
for work in research, teaching, extension or industrial operations.
We also strive to bridge the gap in both directions between
courses in fundamental biochemistry, genetics, physiology and
economics and their practical application to the production
of poultry and the care of all avian species.
The department offers graduate studies
leading to the Master of Agriculture, Master of Science and
Doctor of Philosophy degrees. In addition to a major in poultry
science, students may pursue majors through many intercollegiate
faculties including nutrition and food science and technology.
Faculty expertise exists for study in genetics, reproduction,
nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, environment, management,
microbiology, processing and marketing for all commercially-important
species. The faculty are also actively involved in many of
these disciplines for other avian species and in the pursuit
of basic cellular and molecular knowledge.
(POSC)
603. Avian Incubation and
Embryology. (3-3). Credit 4.
Embryonic development of bird
eggs under both commercial and experimental incubation conditions;
developmental processes are evaluated relative to various
environmental and genetic parameters. Prerequisite: Approval
of instructor.
609. Avian Physiology. (3-3).
Credit 4.
Basic physiological principles
pertaining specifically to avian species; cardiovascular,
neural, respiratory, digestive, endocrine and reproductive
systems; physiological experiments use various avian species
as laboratory animals. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
611. Poultry Processing
and Distribution Technology. (3-2). Credit 4.
Poultry and egg composition,
mechanisms of poultry and egg quality preservation, effects
of storage environments, time and product treatment; evaluation
of commercial methods of product assembly, processing, distribution
and quality control; evaluation of physical, microbiological,
functional and chemical methods of quality determination.
Cross-listed with FSTC 611.
614. Fermentation and Gastrointestinal
Microbiology. (3-0). Credit 3.
Fermentation and gastrointestinal
ecosystems in terms of microorganisms present, their activities
and requirements and their interactions in a dynamic system.
Prerequisite: Beginning microbiology and/or biochemistry
or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with NUTR 614 and
VTMI 614.
615. Avian Nutrition. (3-0).
Credit 3.
Metabolism and nutritional requirements
of domestic fowl including proteins, carbohydrates, fats,
minerals, vitamins and related feed additives. Prerequisites:
POSC 411 and CHEM 228 or approval of instructor.
619. Molecular Methods for
Microbial Characterization. (2-2). Credit 3.
Underlying principles of molecular
methods for microbial detection and characterization in natural
and man-made ecosystems; emphasis on method application and
data interpretation; emphasis on microbial pathogens and
indicator organisms in foods and environment; laboratory
covers select protocols. Prerequisites: POSC 429; AGRO 405;
FSTC 326; approval of instructor. Cross-listed with AGRO
619 ,FSTC 619 and VTMI 619.
625. Least-Cost Feed Formulation.
(2-2). Credit 3.
Theoretical and applied principles
associated with least-cost feed formulation, ingredient inventory,
farm and feed mill management; computer optimization of resources
for most efficient least-cost production with applications
to all domestic farm animals; applications of micro-computer
technology. Prerequisites: POSC411; ANSC 309.
645. Nutrition and Metabolism
of Vitamins. (3-0). Credit 3.
Chemistry and metabolism of
the fat soluble and water soluble vitamins and their roles
in animals; integrates cellular biochemistry and metabolism
of the vitamins in the vertebrate animals. Prerequisites:
POSC 411 or ANSC303; BICH 410 or 603. Cross-listed with NUTR
645.
649. Immunology. (3-0).
Credit 3.
Cellular basis of the immune
response; relationships between inflammation and acquired
immunity, MHC and cell activation; the role of cytokines
in immunoregulation and hypersensitivity, vaccines, and the
mechanism of immunity to viruses, bacteria and parasites.
Prerequisite: VTPB 409 or equivalent. Cross-listed with VTMI
649.
650. Nutrition and Metabolism
of Minerals. (3-0). Credit 3.
Nutritional significance of
minerals in animal metabolism; chemical, biochemical and
physiological role of minerals and homeostatic control in
animal metabolism. Prerequisites: POSC 411 or ANSC 303; BICH
410 or 603. Cross-listed with NUTR 650.
660. Experimental Immunology.
(3-3). Credit 4.
Familiarization, development
and integration of techniques into experimental design of
immunologic investigation; antibody production, protein purification,
immunofluorescence, agar-gel diffusion, immunoelectrophoresis
and specialized serologic tests. Prerequisites: BICH 410
or equivalent; 8 hours of microbiology. Cross-listed with
VTMI 650.
681. Seminar. Credit 1 each
semester.
Intensive review of literature
on feeding, breeding, incubation, marketing, and management;
development of familiarity with journals, organizations,
agencies and personnel working on poultry problems. May be
repeated as many semesters as desired. Prerequisite: Graduate
classification.
685. Directed Studies. Credit
1 to 6 each semester.
Individual problems involving
application of theory and practice in the various disciplines
of poultry science. Prerequisite: Approval of department
head.
689. Special Topics in...
Credit 1 to 4.
Selected topics in an identified
area of poultry science. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite:
Approval of instructor.
691. Research. Credit 1
or more each semester.
Research methods and techniques
in breeding, nutrition, physiology, marketing, management
and products technology. Students must conduct experiments
in one of these fields. Design of experiments, collection,
analysis and presentation of experimental data. Designed
for thesis or dissertation credit.
