Course Description: This is a year long course that is intended for Sophomores through Seniors, depending on interest and when it fits your schedule. It can be taken for Science credit. The major domesticated animals such as cattle, swine, sheep, and horses will be explored in this class. Areas of study first semester include: basic animal terminology, breed identification and history, animal behavior, safety and facility design, disease/parasite unit, small animal care, and proper management and health practices. Second semester we build on first semester and there is an emphasis on judging and meat evaluation, nutrition and feeding, reproduction, and total herd management. Specific areas of study include animal judging techniques and workshops, cuts of meat identification and grading, feed identification, protein analysis, figuring feed rations, reproductive terminology and anatomy, and breeding schedules. One of the fun activities that we do in this class is BBQ different pieces of meat and evaluate them for quality.This class is a foundation for many careers such as a Vet tech., Microbiologist, Animal Scientist, Reproductive Specialist, Nutritional Analyst, and Animal Health Product Salesperson.
Check out this video! This is a sneak peek into one of the people we will study in class during the animal handling unit.
Grading Scale:
A = 100% - 94.5%
A- = 94% - 89.5%
B+ = 89% - 87.5%
B = 87% - 84.5%
B- = 84% - 79.5%
C+ = 79% - 77.5%
C = 77% - 74.5%
C - = 74% - 69.5%
D+ = 69% - 67.5%
D = 67% - 64.5%
D- = 64% - 59.5%
F = 59% and below
Standards and Benchmarks:
Briefly describe the history of the domestication of farm animals
Relate genetics to scientific classification
Identify career opportunities in the animal science field
Define animal terminology
Identify breeds and their characteristics
Demonstrate safe and humane animal handling techniques
Develop a working model of a safe farm setting
Plan an animal health schedule
Name and categorize animal disease characteristics
List signs of a healthy and sick animal
Categorize the different gauges of needles
How to read medicine labels
How to properly administer medicine
Select quality replacement stock and market animals and orally justify rationale
Identify retail and wholesale cuts of meat
Demonstrate safe handling and cooking of meat
Name, locate, and describe the functions of the parts of the digestive systems
Classify farm animals as ruminant or non-ruminant
Read feed labels and figure feed rations
Classify feeds as roughage or concentrate
Demonstrate appropriate management practices
Define terms related to genetics
Calculate a Punnet Square
Identify and describe male and female reproductive systems
Define reproductive terminology
Describe the process of conception, gestation, and parturition