Animal Science (B.S.) - Science Specialization

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Rosie Nold, Professor and Assistant Department Head
Department of Animal Science
Animal Science Complex 116
605-688-5459

Program Information

The Animal Science program provides instruction in livestock breeding, feeding, management, selection, evaluation, and marketing, along with meat science, and equine studies. Courses emphasize the principles of genetics, nutrition, physiology, and meats as they affect production and management of livestock and animal products. Beef cattle, horses, sheep and swine are the primary species discussed in courses.

The specializations allow students to focus their studies on Industry Relations, Production Management, Science, or Food Animal Health. The Production Management Specialization provides flexibility for students to complete courses and minors in related areas of interest. The Science and Food Animal Health Specializations are designed to meet course requirements of the Pre-Veterinary Medicine curriculum for the SDSU Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine and some other veterinary schools. In the Industry Relations Specialization students gain the fundamentals of animal science disciplines, paired with training in communication skills and leadership to enhance their opportunities in many animal and animal products based careers.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Animal Science major with a Science Specialization, students will:

Acquire knowledge of the core sciences and best management practices that are the foundation of animal science and husbandry.
Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills using a variety of mediums and with various audience types and apply techniques to critically evaluate communication strategies regarding animal agriculture.
Demonstrate the ability to function as an effective member of a team.
Develop fact-based comparisons of both sides of contemporary issues that impact diversity, inclusion, equity, and professional ethics as related to animal agriculture.
Interpret, critically evaluate, and apply information in order to recognize problems and create solutions.

Course Delivery Format

The Animal Science program provides hands-on experiences in the classroom, laboratories, field trips, and at the livestock teaching units.

Requirements for Animal Science Major - Science Specialization: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
and
ENGL 201 - Composition II (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
CMST 101 - Fundamentals of Speech (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity: ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3 and SGR #3 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity: SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: MATH 114 - College Algebra (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 3 or MATH 115 - Precalculus (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 5 or
MATH 121-121L - Survey of Calculus and Lab (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 5
or MATH 123 - Calculus I (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 4
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
BIOL 151-151L - General Biology I and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 4
and
BIOL 153-153L - General Biology II and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 4

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 11

Students who wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences must complete a minimum of 11 credits from the approved list of Group 1 courses. Some departments require specific courses from the list, whereas others leave the selection entirely to the student and the advisor.

System General Education Requirements and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Please review major requirements and the Group 1 list to determine if additional courses are required.

AS 101-101L - Introduction to Animal Science and Lab Credits: 3, 1 (Major Requirement)
AS 241-241L - Introduction to Meat Science and Lab Credits: 3 (Major Requirement)
AS 319-319L - Livestock Feeds and Feeding and Lab Credits: 3 (Major Requirement)
Group 1 courses in Agriculture Credits: 1

Major Requirements

ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM) Credits: 3
AS 101-101L - Introduction to Animal Science and Lab Credits: 3, 1
AS 119 - Opportunities in Animal and Veterinary Science Credits: 1
AS 120 - Survey of Animal Science Credits: 1
or VET 120 - Introduction to Veterinary Medicine Credits: 1
AS 219 - Principles of Animal Nutrition Credits: 3
AS 241-241L - Introduction to Meat Science and Lab Credits: 3
AS 319-319L - Livestock Feeds and Feeding and Lab Credits: 3
AS 332 - Livestock Breeding and Genetics Credits: 4
AS 333-333L - Livestock Reproduction and Lab Credits: 3
AS 389 - Current Issues in Animal Science Credits: 3
STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 3
or NRM 282-282L - Natural Resource Statistics and Lab Credits: 3
VET 403 - Animal Diseases and Their Control Credits: 3

Experiential Learning Requirement

Select from the following. Credits: 1-3

ABS 482-582 - International Experience Credits: 2-4
AS 322 - Advanced Livestock Evaluation Credits: 1
AS 400 - Judging Team Credits: 1-2
AS 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12
AS 498 - Undergraduate Research/Scholarship (COM) Credits: 1-3

Capstone Requirements

Select from the following. Credits: 6
*One course must be AS 474-474L, AS 475-475L, AS 476-476L, AS 477-477L, or AS 478-478L.

AS 445-445L - Value-Added Meat Products and Lab Credits: 3
AS 450 - Meat Product Safety and HACCP Credits: 3
AS 474-474L - Cow/Calf Management and Lab Credits: 3
AS 475-475L - Feedlot Operations and Management and Lab Credits: 3
AS 476-476L - Horse Production and Lab Credits: 3
AS 477-477L - Sheep and Wool Production and Lab Credits: 3
AS 478-478L - Swine Production and Lab Credits: 3

Science Requirements

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements	32-34 Credit Hours
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements*	11 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	76-78 Credit Hours
Electives**	7-11 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.