Animal Care and Management

Animal Care and Management A/B

During the first semester of this course, students will focus on learning about domesticated small animal pet species and the small animal industry. Students spend time learning about safety when handling animals, zoonotic diseases, as well as an in-depth study of animal rights, animal welfare, and current controversial issues involving domesticated animal species. Students will study, in-depth, animal species including but not limited to; hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rabbits, dogs, and cats, learning about characteristics, breeds, nutrition, housing, reproduction, common diseases, and much more. Students will learn through lectures, labs, research, debate, as well as individual and group projects. Students will have the opportunity to work hands-on with classroom pets and will be exposed to a variety of career opportunities within the animal sciences.

During the second semester of this course, students will focus on learning about common domesticated large animal species and livestock production. Emphasis will be placed on the use and purpose of animals within the large animal industry and steps that are taken to ensure a safe food supply from farm to table. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of basic management practices, breeds, nutrition, housing, reproduction, common diseases, and much more through lectures, labs, research, debate, as well as individual and group projects. Species studied include but are not limited to the following: beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, goats, horses, and poultry.