Courses and 8-Semester Plans

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The Animal Sciences Curriculum

The animal sciences major is a dynamic curriculum that prepares students for a wide range of positions in production agriculture, agribusiness, and allied industries.

Students are required to develop a comprehensive understanding of the biological sciences related to physiological functions of all animals.

Alumnus Amie Howes Territory Manager, Fort Dodge Animal Health

"My animal science classes helped me tremendously. The professors are very down to earth. They love to work with students."

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8-Semester Plan for Each Option

• Animal Sciences Major: Business Option (pdf)
• Animal Sciences Major: Science Option (pdf)
  

Student Handbook

• Animal Sciences Student Handbook (pdf)
  

Animal Sciences Course List

Animal Science 117: EQUINE MARKETING (2 Credits)

Principles of marketing and event planning including marketing systems, advertising, management systems, team building and other aspects of conducting a purebred livestock sale. Students learn through the planning and conducting of the annual Penn State Equine Science Showcase and Registered Quarter Horse Sale. Instructor: B. Egan.

Animal Science 201 (previously 001): ANIMAL SCIENCE (4 Credits)

Scope of animal and poultry science; genetic, physiological, nutritional, and health factors in food production. Instructor: D. Olver.

Animal Science 037: HORSE AND MAN (2 Credits)

Relationship of horse and man; development of breeds; use, adaptability, and economic importance of the horse in today's society. Instructor: T. L. Merritt.

Animal Science 207 (FD SC 207): ANIMAL PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY (2 Credits)

Composition, safety, palatability, preservation, and processing of foods from animals,
impact of animal production, and handling practices on product properties.
Instructor: E. W. Mills.

Animal Science 208 (FD SC 208): ANIMAL PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (1 Credit)

Harvesting and processing of foods from animals; hands-on and demonstration exercises; industry procedures for processing meat, milk, and egg products. Prerequisite: or concurrent: AN SC 207.  Instructor: E. W. Mills.

Animal Science 211: INTRODUCTION TO AVIAN BIOLOGY (3 Credits)

Introduces the biology of birds; lectures, laboratories on anatomy and function, incubation, breeding, disease control, management techniques and students projects. Prerequisite or concurrent - BIOL 110; or BIOL 011, 012. Instructor: P. Bartell.

Animal Science 213: INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY (3 credits)

An introduction to the multidisciplinary area of animal biotechnology: from molecular, genetic, genomics and development issues to their technological applications. Prerequisite: AN SC 201, BIOL 110, CHEM 012, CHEM 013. Instructor: J. Oatley.

Animal Science 215: (GS) PETS IN SOCIETY (3 credits)

Introduction to the varied roles that companion animals play in human society and their impact on human activity and well-being. Instructor: N.A. Dreschel.

Animal Science 217: INTRODUCTION TO HORSE JUDGING (2 credits)

Introductory analysis of halter and performance classes of stock-type horses, with emphasis on conformation, gaits, patterns, and oral reasons. Instructor: B. A. Egan.

Animal Science 290W: CAREERS IN ANIMAL AGRICULTURE (1 Credit)

A description and analysis of career opportunities in the animal science and allied industries. Instructors: H. W. Harpster, J. L. Peters and D. F. Wise.

Animal Science 296: INDEPENDENT STUDIES (1-18 Credits)

Career projects or studies which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal classes. Dairy and Animal Science majors may apply a total of six credits of Animal Science 296 to the total credits required for graduation.

In order to pursue an independent study, the student must contact the faculty member and reach a mutual agreement regarding the topic, number of credits and mode of conduct. The student must complete a Course Proposal Form and return the form to the Department Office during the first five days of classes. Any faculty member may work with any student. Coordinator: H. W. Harpster.

Animal Science 297: SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9 Credits)

Formal courses offered infrequently on a topic or special interest subject. Coordinator: H. W. Harpster.

Animal Science 300: (GN) INTEGRATED ANIMAL BIOLOGY (3 Credits)

An integrated study of the biology of domestic animal growth and the underlying cellular, endocrine, and immune systems involved. Prerequisites: BIOL 011 and 012, or 110; at least third semester standing. Instructor: T. Ott and R. Mikesell.

Animal Science 301: PRINCIPLES OF ANIMAL NUTRITION. (3 Credits)

Nutrients and their metabolism; the nutritional requirements of livestock; the nutritional value of various feeds; principles of ration formulation. Prerequisite: three credits in biochemistry or organic chemistry. Instructor: A. N. Hristov and A. Magliaro.

Animal Science 305: COMPANION ANIMAL NUTRITION AND MANAGEMENT (3 Credits)

Principles of care and nutrition and contemporary importance of companion animals with emphasis on canine and feline species. Instructors: H. W. Harpster, N. A. Dreschel.

Animal Science 306: SWINE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT (3 Credits)

Application of the principles of enterprise and facility development, operations management, quality control, public relations, marketing for the efficient operation of a swine production business. Prerequisites: AN SC 201. Instructor: K. B. Kephart.

Animal Science 308: SHEEP AND GOAT PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT (3 Credits)

Application of principles of nutrition, breeding, physiology, health, facilities, marketing, and product development, to animal production agriculture. Instructor: H. W. Harpster and J. Marcos Fernandez.

Animal Science 309: BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT (3 Credits)

Application of principles of nutrition, breeding, physiology, health, facilities, and marketing to produce and manage beef efficiently. Prerequisites: AN SC 201. Instructor: D. M. Kniffen.

Animal Science 310: DAIRY CATTLE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT (3 Credits)

Principles of dairy management including the dairy industry, reproduction and housing. Prerequisites: An SC 201. Instructors: A. J. Heinrichs, G. A. Varga, M. L. O'Connor and D. R. Olver.

Animal Science 311: POULTRY PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT (3 Credits)

The application of fundamental concepts and preparation for careers in the economically integrated commercial poultry industry. Prerequisite: AN SC 201. Instructor: 

Animal Science 315: SMALL ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE (3 Credits)

Introduction to the principles of small animal health, including the recognition, prevention and control of common small animal diseases. Prerequisites MICRB 106 or, MICRB 201. Instructor: N. A. Dreschel.

Animal Science 317: HORSE HANDLING AND TRAINING (3 Credits)

Responses of horses to various stimuli during the training period. Laboratory exercises involve extensive practice with young horses. Prerequisites: AN SC 327 and approved level of horsemanship. Instructor: B. A. Egan.

Animal Science 322 PRINCIPLES OF ANIMAL BREEDING (3 Credits)

The fundamental principles of genetics as applied to breeding farm animals. Instructor: C. D. Dechow.

Animal Science 324: VALUE DETERMINATION OF MEAT ANIMALS (3 Credits)

Live Animal and carcass evaluation of cattle, sheep, and swine to determine value of market animals and meat products. Instructor: R. Mikesell.

Animal Science 327: HORSE PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT (3 Credits)

Principles of selection, breeding, feeding, management and marketing of horses; emphasis on light leg horses. Prerequisites: AN SC 201. Instructor: B. A. Egan.

Animal Science 395: ANIMAL SCIENCE INTERNSHIP (1-12 Credits)

Supervised field experience and study related to the student's major professional interest. Written and oral critique of the activity is required. Prerequisite: Dairy and Animal Science majors who have a GPA of 2.0 or higher, completed 6 credits in their major field of study and have obtained permission of their faculty advisor and course instructor. Coordinator: P. Clauer.

Animal Science 405: ADVANCED CANINE NUTRITION AND MANAGEMENT (3 Credits)

Application of biological principles to the care and nutrition of dogs; interactive discussions of contemporary nutrition and management issues. Perequisite: AN SC 305; or permission of program. Instructor: H. W. Harpster.

Animal Science 407: ADVANCED HORSE MANAGEMENT (2 Credits)

Detailed study of anatomy and physiology of the horse as related to nutrition, reproduction, athletic ability, unsoundness and control of diseases and parasites. Detailed discussion of management practices, facility design and contemporary issues. Prerequisites: AN SC 327; Instructor: W. B. Staniar.

Animal Science 410: ADVANCED DAIRY HERD MANAGEMENT (4 Credits)

Application of dairy herd management principles using case studies and actual dairy farm situations. Students will be required to seek solutions to problems and to make management decisions using actual dairy farms and/or case studies. Prerequisites: AN SC 310, 350. Instructor: G. A. Varga.

Animal Science 411: ADVANCED POULTRY MANAGEMENT (3 Credits)

Students will be required to seek the solutions to problems and to make management decisions using a case study format. Prerequisites: AN SC 311 or with permission of the instructor. Instructors: P. H. Patterson and R. M. Hulet.

Animal Science 413: TRANSGENIC BIOLOGY (3 Credits)

The principles and concepts used to generate genetically engineered animals by pronuclear, knockout, and cloning methods; and applied biotechnology applications. Prerequisite: a course in Molecular Biology and/or Biochemistry and/or Genetics. Instructor: C. Shashikant.

Animal Science 414: COMPARATIVE ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY (3 Credits)

A comprehensive review of the multidisciplinary area of animal biotechnology examining historical developments, current progress, and future directions. Prerequisite: 3 credits in molecular biology, genomics, genetics, or biotechnology courses. Instructor: C. Shashikant.

Animal Science 417: HORSE JUDGING (2 Credits)

Evaluation and selection of halter and performance horses, and presentation of oral reasons. Instructor: B. A. Egan.

Animal Science 418: (AGEC 418) AND (SOILS 418) NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS (3 Credits)

Comprehensive review of nutrient flow in animal agricultural systems, environmental regulations, and environmental regulations, and environmental stewardship practices. Instructor: K. B. Kephart.

Animal Science 419W: APPLIED ANIMAL WELFARE (3 Credits)

Assessment of management practices impacting animal welfare; devoted to livestock species, companion animals, captive exotic species, and animals in research. Prerequisite: AN SC 201 or 6 credits of biology. Instructor: K. B. Kephart.

Animal Science 420: ANIMAL NUTRITION AND FEED TECHNOLOGY (4 Credits)

Feedstuff evaluation, quality control, handling, storage; life cycle feeding of beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, swine, horses, and poultry. Prerequisite: AN SC 301. Instructor: H. W. Harpster.

Animal Science 421: POULTRY EVALUATION AND SELECTION (2 Credits)

Introduction and application of standards and principles used to evaluate live poultry and poultry products. Prerequisite: permission of program. Instructors: P. Clauer and D. Wise.

Animal Science 422: DAIRY CATTLE EVALUATION AND SELECTION (3 Credits)

Methods used in evaluation of production and type traits and their role in selecting dairy breeding stock domestically and internationally. Prerequisite: AN SC 322 or instructor approval. Instructor: D. R. Olver and C. D. Dechow.

Animal Science 423: COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS (3 Credits)

A comparative approach to understanding body function in domesticated avian and mammalian species. Instructor: R. Ramachandran.

Animal Science 424: LIVESTOCK BREEDING EVALUATION AND SELECTION (3 Credits)

Evaluation and selection of beef cattle, sheep, swine, and horses: critical analysis of performance records and genetic evaluations. Prerequisites: An SC 324. Instructors: D. M. Kiffen and W. Landis.

Animal Science 425:(VSC 425) PRINCIPLES OF AVIAN DISEASES (3 Credits)

Principles of pathogenesis, diagnosis and control of diseases in poultry and other avian populations. Prerequisites: An SC 201, BIOL 110, 4 credits in microbiology and 3 credits in anatomy and/or physiology. Instructor: E. Wallner-Pendleton.

Animal Science 426: ADVANCED JUDGING AND SELECTION (2-4 Credits)

Development of critical thinking and communication skills through evaluation and selection of animals and animal products. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.Instructors: D. Olver, B. A. Egan, W. Landis, D. F. Wise and P. J. Clauer.

Animal Science 427: MILK SECRETION (3 Credits)

Development and physiology of the mammary gland and factors which affect the amount and composition of milk produced. Prerequisites: AN SC 201 and 3 additional credits in dairy science. Instructor: A. Macrina, K. Harvatine.

Animal Science 431W: PHYSIOLOGY OF MAMMALIAN REPRODUCTION (3 Credits)

Physiological processes of reproduction in animals, including the use of current and emerging technologies. 3 credits in animal physiology. Instructor: D. R. Hagen.

Animal Science 432: TECHNIQUES IN CATTLE REPRODUCTION (2 credits)

Practical application of the techniques of estrus detection, and artificial insemination in cattle. Prerequisite or concurrent: AN SC 331, 431 or permission of the instructor. Instructor: J. Oatley.

Animal Science 450: DAIRY FARM MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (3 Credits)

Capstone course emphasizing integration of dairy farm management principles into whole farm systems. Prerequisites: 310, 410. Instructor: L. A. Holden.

Animal Science 457: EQUINE REPRODUCTION AND BREEDING FARM MANAGEMENT (3 CREDITS)

Advances aspects of equine reproduction will be covered, including collection of semen, processing it for shipment, and insemination of mares. Instructor: E. Jedrzejewski.  Prerequisites: AN SC 327, AN SC 407.

Animal Science 467: EQUINE NUTRITION AND FEEDING (3 Credits)

Equine gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology; energy and nutrient requirements for body functions; applied interrelationships between nutrition, health, and performance. Prerequisites: AN SC 301, AN SC 327.

Animal Science 496: INDEPENDENT STUDIES (1-18 Credits)

Creative projects or studies which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses. Dairy and Animal Science majors may apply a total of six credits of AN SC 496 to the total credits required for graduation.

In order to pursue an independent study, the student must contact the faculty member and reach a mutual agreement regarding the topic, number of credits and mode of conduct. The student then notifies the course coordinator regarding the agreement in order to facilitate record keeping. Any faculty member may work with any student. The coordinator serves as a focal point for communications and records. The student is required to complete a Course Proposal Form.

Prerequisites: 6 credits in animal science. Coordinator: H. W. Harpster.

Animal Science 497: SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9 Credits)

Formal courses offered infrequently on a topic or special interest subject. Prerequisite: 3 credits in animal science. Coordinator: H. W. Harpster.

Animal Science 499: FOREIGN STUDIES (1-12 Credits)