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Animal Science: Livestock and Equine Management Certificate Agriculture & Natural Resources Total Units: 24
A newer version of this program is available. View the latest version here.

Catalog rights may apply, see a counselor for more information.

Term Effective: Fall 2023

Description:

This is a Certificate of Achievement. 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. Animal Science isn’t just about production of livestock for food and fiber. It also includes today's multi-billion dollar horse industry which is diverse, progressive and incorporates a broad set of technological advancements, requiring individuals who are knowledgeable and skilled to work in this multi-faceted field. By getting a certificate 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.
  • Horse farm management at breeding facilities, lesson/boarding barns, and race and show training stables
  • Show and race facility managers and staff

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 Animal Science program, featuring 80 acres of pasture for learning grazing strategies, an outdoor arenas, surrounding horse paddocks & corrals and the Porter Barn which has the ability to house cattle, sheep, hogs and/or poultry. For students interested in transferring to a four year program, an Associate’s degree in Science for Transfer in Agriculture Animal Science is available.

For students interested in an Associate degree, an Equine Science major is available.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  1. Identify best management practices strategies for managing horses and/or livestock that will improve animal quality, protect the natural resources and ensure economic viability of the livestock and equine industry; and
  2. Define nutritional needs and demonstrate proper feeding techniques; and
  3. List common infectious diseases and parasites and explain the role of preventative health and considerations in developing a herd health management plan; and
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of practical reproductive management of livestock and/or horses.

Program Requirements:

The requirements for the Animal Science: Livestock and Equine Management Certificate program are:

  • Complete 24 units from
    • Animal Science: Livestock and Equine Management

Animal Science: Livestock and Equine Management - complete 24.00 units
ANSCI 2Introduction to Farm Animal Health3.00
ANSCI 20Basic Animal Science3.00
ANSCI 61Livestock Feeding and Nutrition3.00
ANSCI 134Livestock Reproduction3.00
Complete any combination totaling at least 1.00 units from the following:
CourseDescriptionUnits
AGRI 56Agricultural Enterprise Project2.00-4.00
AGRI 98Independent Study in Agriculture1.00-3.00
AGRI 99IAgriculture Internship1.00-8.00
Complete any combination totaling at least 9.00 units from the following:
CourseDescriptionUnits
ANSCI 27Beef Cattle Science3.00
ANSCI 52Meat Science3.00
ANSCI 91Rangeland Management3.00
ANSCI 153Sustainable Agriculture Production Systems with Animals3.00
ANSCI 171Livestock Behavior and Humane Management1.00
EQSCI 25Equine Science3.00
EQSCI 80Equine and Stable Management3.00
EQSCI 110Equine Nutrition1.00
EQSCI 120Introduction to Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies1.00
EQSCI 170Farrier Science3.00
Complete any combination totaling at least 2.00 units from the following:
CourseDescriptionUnits
AGBUS 2Agricultural Computer Applications3.00
AGMEC 50Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Skills3.00
WELD 170Beginning Welding: Fundamentals of Arc and Gas Welding2.00

Term Effective: Fall 2023

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.

Term Inactive: Fall 2024

Previous Versions:

Animal Science: Livestock and Equine Management - effective Fall 2022
Animal Science: Livestock and Equine Management - effective Fall 2019
Equine Management - effective Fall 2018
Equine Management - effective Fall 2015
Equine Science - effective Fall 2014
Equine Science - effective Spring 2013
Equine Science - effective Spring 2012
Equine Science - effective Fall 2011
Equine Science - effective Spring 2011
Equine Science - effective Fall 2010
Equine Science - effective Fall 2008
Equine Science - effective Spring 2008
Equine Science - effective Summer 2007
Equine Science - effective Spring 2007
Equine Science - effective Fall 1981

Course Prerequisites and Advisories:

Courses in a program of study may have prerequisites or advisories; that is, courses that must or should be completed before taking that course. Please check for prerequisites or advisories by clicking on the course numbers in the Program Requirements section.

Contact
Information
Phone Email Website
(707) 527-4408
info-agnr@santarosa.edu
Agriculture & Natural Resources