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Term Effective:
Spring 2014
The requirements for this program of study are effective beginning the semester shown above. If you began working on this program before the effective semester, you may not be affected by the changes. Consult with the program contact person or the department chair to determine your eligibility to complete the program under previous requirements.
Associate Degree Requirements:
The major is one of several requirements students need to fulfill in order to be awarded the Associate Degree, the highest level of academic achievement recognized by Santa Rosa Junior College. Please note that all of the following requirements must be met in order for the degree to be conferred:
For all students admitted for the Fall 2009 term or any term thereafter,
a grade of "C" or better, or "P" if the course is taken on a pass/no pass basis,
is required for each course applied toward the major.
Description:
Animal Science is the study of animals that provide food, fiber, & companionship for mankind. Technological advances in the animal sciences have contributed to a safe, healthy, abundant, & inexpensive food supply. Income from animal agriculture contributes to more than 50 percent of the economic returns of American agriculture to the U.S. economy and accordingly, career opportunities abound for those trained in animal science.. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that more than 48,000 jobs will be created annually for graduates with expertise in agriculture and related industries. By majoring in animal science at Santa Rosa Junior College, you can prepare yourself for one or more of the over 500 different jobs related to animal agriculture including:
- Allied animal industries such as feed & equipment manufacturers, artificial breeding associations, pharmaceutical firms, meat processors, & food distributors employ animal scientists in various technical, managerial, administrative, public relations, & sales positions.
- Breeding & livestock marketing organizations employ animal scientists as field representatives, managers, consultants, market forecasters, & public relations specialists.
- Food processors, meat packers, & related industries seek persons with meat science background for positions in management, product & process development, purchasing, quality assurance, technical & consumer services, advertising, & sales.
- Government agencies employ persons with undergraduate or advanced training in the animal sciences as administrative or technical specialists in livestock marketing, forecasting, environmental regulation, animal health, disease control, meats inspection, & public information.
- Livestock breeders & feedlot operators seek persons with strong animal sciences & business training for positions in production management, animal nutrition, physiology, & behavior.
- Researchers & laboratory technicians are employed by many government agencies & private firms, working in such specialized fields as animal breeding & reproduction, health maintenance & disease control, animal nutrition, computer modeling, animal housing, waste management, environmental quality, & processing, handling, & quality control with meat, milk, eggs, & other animal products.
- State & national organizations such as the National Cattlemen's Association, National Pork Producers Council, the National Dairy Herd Improvement Association, & others employ animal scientists to promote, educate, & work in the public sector with consumers of animal products.
- Universities, colleges, & other educational organizations employ persons with advanced animal sciences training as teachers, researchers, laboratory technicians, & extension specialists.
- Writers & communicators with animal sciences training are employed by the various animal industries in advertising, publications work, & public information activities.
- Zoos, kennels, animal clinics, horse farms, animal preserves, & similar facilities offer many positions as animal caretakers, technicians, gamekeepers, & veterinary assistants.
- Formal training in the basic animal sciences provides essential background for professional careers in Veterinary Medicine.
To prepare students for these exciting career opportunities Santa Rosa Junior College’s Animal Science Program provides student with a broad training in animal husbandry. Students gain knowledge in both lecture classes & hands-on laboratories using Santa Rosa Junior College’s 365-acre Shone Farm – a diversified college farm that is literally an outdoor field laboratory & learning environment including a multitude of feeding, care, & restraint facilities for the livestock program, featuring herds of cattle & sheep & a small feed lot for hogs. In addition, a new Ag Pavilion houses indoor & outdoor arenas, & surrounding horse paddocks & corrals.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the major, the students will be able to:
- Identify and implement sustainable livestock management practices that will improve
livestock quality, provide efficacious management, protect the natural resources and ensure
economic viability of the livestock industry;
- demonstrate a working knowledge of animal production life cycles to develop a ranch
management calendar that incorporates scientifically based management decisions and the
latest technological advances in livestock husbandry;
- name and demonstrate proper use of equipment that humanely confines, treats or protects
livestock;
- identify and evaluate livestock anatomy and physiology and relate form to function;
- demonstrate knowledge of practical reproductive management of livestock species;
- define livestock nutritional needs and demonstrate proper feeding techniques related to
growth, development and finishing of livestock;
- list common infectious diseases and parasites and explain the role of preventative health; and
- explain marketing strategies and market classification of livestock and their products.
This program of study is also available as a certificate option. Students interested in a suggested order for taking classes in this program, can view the recommended course sequence. For more information see the Agriculture Department website.
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