Course Description:

Fundamental principles of animal agriculture, biological and scientific aspects of development, inheritance, feeding and nutrition, management, animal products, and scope of the industry. 3 semester credit hours.

Course Objectives:

The objective of this course is to introduce the student to basic concepts and principles of animal science to further prepare them for more advance animal science courses.

• Develop an understanding of the global nature of animal production and how it ties into national, regional and local production.
• Become familiar with terminology used in animal science as it relates to the industry, management practices, equipment and animals.
• Develop an understanding of animal species and breeds that compromise the livestock industry and their relative importance from economic and social perspectives.
• Become familiar with some of the food and other products derived from animals and animal by-products.
• Develop a basic understanding of animal growth, nutrition, reproduction, behavior and genetics.
• Develop a basic understanding of current management practices as it relates to raising livestock and companion animals.   

None.

• Overview of Animal Science Industry/Introduction
• Red Meat Products
• Poultry/Milk/Wool
• Market Class/Carcass Grading
• Reproduction
• Reproductive Technologies
• Genetics & Animal Breeding
• Nutrients
• Digestion/Absorption
• Nutrient Requirements/Growth & Development
• Lactation
• Environment
• Animal Health
• Animal Behavior
• Beef Cattle
• Dairy Cattle
• Swine
• Horses
• Small Ruminants (Goats & Sheep)
• Poultry
• Aquaculture
• Current Events in the Livestock Industry/Careers

All topic modules will include a textbook reading assignment, threaded discussion questions, supplemental reading assignments and web site visits

Course requirements are identified below under the topic "Assessment and Grading".

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:

http://direct.mbsbooks.com/tbr.htm . 

Course materials will include the required text:

 "Scientific Farm Animal Production", 8th edition, Taylor, R.E. and T.G. Field, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.  ISBN:  0-13-048170-X

None

PC users - A minimum computer system to successfully access all the tools in this course is a Pentium 166 or better with 32 Megabytes of RAM or better and Windows 95 or higher.  A modem with 56k bps or better is necessary.
Mac users - Minimum system requirements are a 604 Power PC processor; preferably a G3 (iMacs are included) or G4 processor computer running Mac OS 8.5 or above.  A minimum of 64 Megabytes of RAM, preferably 128 with at least 25 Megabytes assigned to your browser.  A modem 56k bps or better is necessary.

PC users    - A minimum computer system to successfully access all the tools in this course is a Pentium 166 or better with 32 Megabytes of RAM or better and Windows 95 or higher.  A modem with 56k bps or better is necessary.

Mac users - Minimum system requirements are a 604 Power PC processor; preferably a G3 (iMacs are included) or G4 processor computer running Mac OS 8.5 or above.  A minimum of 64 Megabytes of RAM, preferably 128 with at least 25 Megabytes assigned to your browser.  A modem 56k bps or better is necessary. 

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.

All testing will take place within the course materials.  You will be allowed to take your tests at a time and place convenient to you.

• All topic modules will include a textbook reading assignment, threaded discussion questions, supplemental readings, and web site visits.  Each module will have 1 or 2 quizzes associated with it. 

• As you complete your work submit the requested materials to the instructor for evaluation.  The instructor will evaluate your materials and award you points. 

Threaded DISCUSSIONS - 21 topics X 20 pts max. each-- 420 pts Max

Class participation will be evaluated as to your ability to participate in class discussions by making relevant postings to the Class Discussion Board and by responding to other student postings to the Board. 

           

Discussion Board Grades:

Each discussion topic is assigned a grade ranging from 0-20.

Grades are awarded as follows:

• 20-18 points:  Student completed all segments of the discussion question, cited relevant sources, responses were intelligent, well thought out and pertinent to the assigned materials related to the discussion question.
• 15-17 points:  Student completed all segments of the discussion question, cited some sources, responses were adequate, but not as relevant and well thought out as others.
• 12-14 points:  Student did not complete all segments of the discussion question, may have included sources.  Some responses may be adequate, but could have been better and more relevant to discussed materials.
• 9-11 points:  Segments of discussion question were incomplete, sources were not cited.  Responses were not adequate but were present on board.
• <9 points:  Discussion question was incomplete, no sources.  Inadequate Responses.
• Late Postings are subject to a 5 point deduction from each grade! 

 

QUIZZES - 15 quizzes X 20-40 pts. max. each  --                            380 pts max

One or two quizzes will be required for each Module.  Quiz questions will be related to all assigned relevant materials covered in the module.  Quiz questions will be multiple choice, true-false and short answers.  Quiz dates will be announced in each module and on the class calendar.  They are expected to be completed by the due date.  No late quizzes will be accepted.   

 

TESTS - 4 tests X 100 pts max. each                                   400 pts max

Tests will be evaluated as to accuracy and student demonstration of an understanding of the material.  Tests will be announced in the Class Calendar and under the Test Module.  Test questions will be of the short essay, multiple choice, true false, or completion (short answer) type.  Tests will cover materials introduced in the textbook, supplemental reading materials, assigned websites and discussion boards.   

FINAL EXAM – 1 Exam X 200 pts. Max.                              200 pts max

The final exam is mandatory and will cover all topics included in all Modules.  Test questions will be of the short essay, multiple choice, true false, or completion (short answer) type.

Total Points = 1400 pts maximum

  

Grading Scale:

1260-1400 points        "A"

1120-1259 points        "B"

980-1129 points          "C"                                                                         

840-979 points            "D"                                                                           

Less than 840              “F"                                                                        

Incomplete                  "I"                                                                                 

 An "I" will be assigned to those students unable to complete the course requirements within the specified time allotted as evidenced by proper documentation as to why the materials were not submitted for evaluation.

Assignments will be within each topic module and the date due will be on the course calendar.

You are expected to participate in all interactive aspects of the course.  For example, you must communicate with other students via emails and discussion board exchanges.  You are expected to communicate with your instructor on a regular basis and check the course frequently for announcements.  You must actively participate in threaded discussion events.  Students are expected to work at a pace conducive to collaborative learning - that is, don't work to far ahead or too far behind the group.  The class is designed to support student interaction.  You will be responsible for meeting all deadlines!!!! 

 You are encouraged to work at your own pace, however deadlines are placed on threaded discussions, quizzes and tests.  You should become familiar with the Class Calendar to determine when materials are due and adjust your study schedule accordingly.  Once a deadline has passed you will be "locked out" of the material.

Assignments will be presented as noted in the course Calendar. You will have until the due date on the calendar to complete each assignment. You are expected to communicate with other students in threaded discussions, learn how to navigate in D2L, and stay aware of course announcements. You should use your assigned D2L email addresses for all communication.  You should address any technical problems immediately.   You should observe course etiquette at all times.  Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.  For further clarification see the "Academic Honesty"  statement.

• Web links will be posted and updated throughout the class.  An email or announcement will be made when a new link is available to students.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Online Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses.

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support