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Term Effective:
Summer 2025
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.
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.
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- 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
- Define nutritional needs and demonstrate proper feeding techniques; and
- List common infectious diseases and parasites and explain the role of preventative health and considerations
in developing a herd health management plan; and
- Demonstrate knowledge of practical reproductive management of livestock and/or horses.
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