Animal Science Certificate

Program Coordinator/Contact

Michael Gonda, Professor
Department of Animal Science
Animal Science Complex 103A
605-688-5442

Program Information

The Animal Science Certificate program is designed to provide students with courses in the major disciplinary areas of animal science. The goal of the program is to provide foundation courses across many facets of animal science, serving as a basis for further study in one of the disciplines or in a particular animal species. Because the courses are delivered online they allow for greater flexibility and access to course content than traditional classroom based courses. The Animal Science Certificate program will be marketed to working professionals who wish to further their education but lack the flexibility to devote themselves to a full-time graduate program.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstration of a comprehensive knowledge at the graduate level of all basic disciplinary aspects of animal science including nutrition, reproductive physiology, animal selection and breeding, and meat science.
• Identification of the relationship of their selected area of emphasis with production and care of farm animals.
• Define issues and problems, retrieve scientific literature, apply relevant scientific principles, synthesize information, apply higher order thinking skills, and utilize effective communication skills relative to animal science.

Course Delivery Format

The online graduate certificate program in Animal Science has been developed to support continuing education needs of the workforce in food animal agriculture. The consortium offering the certificate is affiliated with AG IDEA and is governed by its structure. The institutions involved in this effort consist of South Dakota State University, Clemson University, North Carolina State University, North Dakota State University, and the University of Georgia. The program is also intended to benefit traditional graduate programs through additional course availability.

The courses in this program are online and taught by the instructors who teach on campus at the participating universities. Curriculum is specially adapted for the online environment to ensure students receive the same quality education as they would experience on campus.

Course schedules are determined by the teaching institution but do not have set class times, allowing students to access course content when it is convenient for them. Students meet deadlines as outlined by the instructors, and interact with instructors and other students through e-mail, chats, discussion boards, and other interactive methods. Students must have access to a computer, e-mail, and the Internet.