Course Objectives
1. To begin the process of critical thinking to evaluate ideas and concepts in Animal Science
2. To understand the biological basis for the major processes that affect animal growth, development, nutrition, reproduction, health and welfare
Furthermore, the laboratories will reinforce and demonstrate the principles
of Animal Science that are taught in lecture.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for ASCI 1. You will enjoy the course more if you have a basic understanding of chemistry and biology. You need to have an interest in domestic animals. You will work with cattle and horses, but no previous experience is required with either.
Lectures
Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 am - 9:15 am
Aiken 104
Laboratories
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm (starting the week
of September 11)
Usually at Spear Street
Farm (lab location announced in lecture each week)
The course covers a wide range of material relating to domestic animals and their interactions with humans in agriculture, recreation, veterinary medicine, human health and well-being. It covers the scientific aspects of animal science such as nutrition, genetics and physiology, but includes social aspects such as domestication, the human-animal bond and topics such as the environmental impacts of animal agriculture, animal welfare and biotechnology.
The major topics are shown below. Click on a topic to review material relating
to it.
| ANIMAL AGRICULTURE | BIOTECHNOLOGY |
| DOMESTICATION | ANIMAL BEHAVIOR |
| COMPANION ANIMALS | ANIMAL DISEASES |
| HORSES | ANIMAL WELFARE |
| GENETICS | ANIMAL NUTRITION |
| LACTATION | CAREERS |
| REPRODUCTION |
Coming soon: an outline of lectures and labs
Evaluation
Exams - 300 points (100 points per exam)
Laboratory Assignments - 100 points (10 points per assignment)
Miscellaneous Assignments - 50 points
Final Exam - 100 points
There will be three 100 point exams given in class during the semester and
a final exam worth 100 points. The exams contribute 400 points to your grade.
The laboratory activities will contribute a further 100 points. These points
may be earned through lab quizzes, write-ups or homeworks. Miscellaneous
assignments given in either lab or lecture will contribute an additional
50 points. Letter grades will be determined from the addition of the possible
550 points earned.
Please note that you are required to get a passing grade in the laboratory section to pass the course.
Philosophy
This course is intended to be enjoyable and informative. Participation and questions are encouraged. We are covering a lot of ground and it is not possible to introduce all material in detail in class. You will be provided with reading assignments, handouts and additional material to expand upon the material presented in class. You are expected to complete reading assignments and to be familiar with the handout material. Information covered in the assignments and handouts will be included in examinations. The instructors want you to do well and will try and help you with problems you may be encountering with the material.
Your Instructors
Dr. Karen Plaut is the Chair of the Department of Animal Sciences. In addition to this course she teaches ASCI 216, Endocrinology. Her research is concerned with mammary development and lactation in domestic animals and humans and the relationship between normal mammary development and breast cancer.
Dr. Lyn Carew is a Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. His lectures for ASCI 1 focus on nutrition and foods. Additionally, Dr. Carew teaches NFS/ASCI 43, The Fundamentals of Nutrition, each semester. His research interests are poultry nutrition, endocrinology and nutrition, animal nutrition in Latin America and the use of computers in nutrition education.
Mr. Dave Rogers is a faculty member in the Department of Animal Sciences. His particular interests are in animal welfare and human animal interations. He also oversees student intenships activities for the Department of Animal Sciences. He will be coordinating the laboratory sections and contributing to parts of the course.
Teaching Assistants
Graduate TA's:
Sarah Adams is the graduate TA for the Tuesday and Thursday lab sections. She graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Animal Science in December, 1999 and is currently in the second semester of her MS. Sarah's concentration is ruminant nutrition.
Beth Carter is the graduate TA for the Monday and Wednesday lab sections. She completed her BS in Animal Science at UVM last year while simultaneously completing the first year of her MS through the Accelerated Masters Program. Beth is working with DNA vaccines.
Undergraduate TA's:
Eduardo Galo
Emma Wall
Jiamao Zheng
Text Book
The required textbook is Introduction to Animal Science: Global, Biological, Social and Industry Perspective by W. Stephen Damron.