Swine Science Certificate

Location(s): Online

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Students looking at a baby pig.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Sarah Kim, IDEA Campus Coordinator
Office of Continuing and Distance Education
West Hall 121
605-688-6988

Bob Thaler, Distinguished Professor and Farm Credit Services of American Endowed Chair in Swine Production
Department of Animal Science
Animal Science Complex 114
605-688-5435

Program Information

Swine Science is an inter-institutional undergraduate certificate program designed to prepare academically trained students entering the pork industry in such areas as sales and communications, construction, production management, and pharmaceuticals. Upon completion of the required and elective courses, students will be able to apply for a Swine Science online certificate from the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence.

Course Delivery Format

The fully-online programs of the Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA) provide flexibility, enabling students to balance career advancement with professional, social and financial commitments. IDEA is a national consortium of land grant universities offering programs and courses in agriculture disciplines.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students earning a certificate in Swine Science will be able to:

integrate disciplines and concepts in order to facilitate problem solving, creating a more efficient and sustainable production system.
combine scientific principles and management skills involved in pork production.
recognize available career opportunities within the pork industry.
apply personnel, facility, fiscal, and livestock management.
perform basic swine husbandry.
understand the impact of societal and industry issues on production management systems.
explain the pork structure and trends, including production, packing, and integration.

Requirements for Swine Science Certificate: 12 Credits

AS 202 - Basic Swine Science Credits: 2
AS 306 - Swine Breeding and Gestation Management Credits: 1
or AS 307 - Swine Farrowing Management Credits: 1
or AS 308 - Swine Nursery and Finishing Management Credits: 1
AS 310 - Employee Management for the Swine Industry Credits: 1
AS 313 - Swine Health and Biosecurity Credits: 1
AS 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12 (1 credit required - Production Internship in the Swine Industry)

Electives

Choose courses not previously selected. Credits: 6

AS 301 - Advanced Swine Science Credits: 2
AS 302 - Swine Environment Management Credits: 1
AS 303 - Swine Feed Mill Management Credits: 1
AS 304 - Swine Manure and Nutrient Management Credits: 1
AS 305 - Swine Nutrition Credits: 1
AS 306 - Swine Breeding and Gestation Management Credits: 1
AS 307 - Swine Farrowing Management Credits: 1
AS 308 - Swine Nursery and Finishing Management Credits: 1
AS 309 - Swine Business and Records Analysis Credits: 1
AS 311 - Marketing and Risk Management in the Swine Industry Credits: 1
AS 312 - Pork Product Quality and Safety Credits: 1
AS 314 - Pork Export Markets Credits: 1
AS 315 - Contemporary Issues in the Swine Industry Credits: 1