Undergraduate Catalog 1999 - 2000

Animal Science (ANSC)

Head of Department: Professor Ian C. Hart
Department Office: Room 108, White Building (Animal Science)

For major requirements, see the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this Catalog.

120. Introduction to Animal Science

First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour discussion or laboratory period. Taught concurrently with SAAS 020. Darre

The biological, physical, and social factors that influence animal production and utilization.

125. Behavior and Training of Domestic Animals

Second semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory. Taught concurrently with SAAS 025. Darre

Application of behavior of cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine and poultry to their management, training and welfare. Basic principles of genetics and physiology of behavior, perception, training, learning, motivation, and stress with consideration of integrated behavioral management and animal welfare.

127. Introduction to Companion Animals

Second semester. Three credits. Taught concurrently with SAAS 027. Stake

Basic concepts of the nutrition, physiology, health and management of companion animals.

160. The Science of Food

(Also offered as NUSC 160.) Second semester. Three credits. Faustman, Fernandez

An introductory level course for students interested in the application of science to food. Nutritional and functional attributes of various food constituents are discussed. Issues concerning food processing and food safety are covered.

216. Principles of Nutrition and Feeding of Animals

First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour discussion and demonstration period. Andrew

This course covers feed nutrients and their digestion and use. Nutrient requirements and feeding standards for various classes of livestock for reproduction, lactation, growth, work and maintenance are included. Attention also is given to characteristics of common feedstuffs and to formulating rations and nutritional programs for animal enterprises.

217. Animal Breeding and Genetics

First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour discussion period. Prerequisite: BIOL 107 and 108. Hoagland

The principles of genetics, effects of breeding systems on genes, systems of breeding and selection are covered as applied to the improvement of animals.

219. Reproductive Physiology

Second semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory or discussion period. Riesen

A study of the reproductive anatomy and physiology of domestic animals. Laboratory will include macro and micro anatomy, hormone action, and techniques used in reproductive management of domestic animals.

220. Environmental Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Second semester. Two credits. One 2-hour class period. Prerequisite: Statistics 100V or 110V. A one semester introductory college level course in Biology is recommended. Bendel

Statistical concepts in environmental epidemiology and medicine, emphasizing retrospective analysis of case studies which seek to determine the link between environmental exposure and human illness. Topics include planning of clinical trials, sample size considerations, experimental design, logistical regression, dose-response models, models for chemical carcinogenesis, and the 

animal science
epidemiology of toxic metals and electromagnetic radiation. Computation will either be elementary or by computer. Each student will perform a research project in his/her field of interest.

221. Environment, Genetics and Cancer

Second semester, alternate years (even numbered). Three credits. Two 1.5 hour class periods. Prerequisites: BIOL 107; CHEM 141 or 243. Concurrent enrollment in at least one of the following courses is strongly recommended: MCB 203 or 204, MCB 200 or 213; or MCB 210. Silbart

Basic principles in tumor biology will be presented with an emphasis on phenotypic changes in transformed cell morphology and behavior. The biochemical basis of cell transformation, proliferation, and metastasis will be covered, followed by discussions of molecular mechanisms by which environmental chemicals interact with DNA and other cellular components. Metabolic activation of genotoxic carcinogens will be covered in detail, and the importance of polymorphisms in activating enzymes among human sub-populations will be discussed in terms of individual risks of cancer. Activation of proto-oncogenes, inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and the role of these proteins in regulating the cell cycle will be covered in detail. Approaches for estimating human risk of cancer based on exposure estimates and biological markers will also be presented.

222. Growth Biology and Metabolism of Domestic Livestock

Second semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one discussion period. Recommended preparation: PATH 200 or consent of instructor. Zinn

Course will focus on the embryonic and postnatal growth and development of domestic livestock with emphasis on metabolic and hormonal regulation of processes that influence growth and development. Discussion period will focus on methods used to measure growth and metabolism.

224. Food Safety

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Biology 107. A one semester course in organic chemistry is recommended. Faustman, Silbart

Current topics in food safety will be discussed, with special emphasis on microbial and chemical contamination of food. Specific topics such as the safety of natural versus synthetic chemicals, food additives, irradiation and other practices will be covered. Review of basic microbiology and toxicology, with further discussion of current regulatory practices and risk assessment will be included. The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) approach to food safety will be discussed.

225. Environmental Health Seminar

First semester. One credit. One class period.

This seminar series will host a diverse array of invited speakers from industry, academia, environmental groups, and the regulatory community. Speaker engagements will occur on alternate weeks, while a discussion section will meet on intervening weeks. Grading will be based on attendance and participation in the discussion sections and seminars.

226. Environmental Health

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 100 or equivalent; CHEM 122 or 127; or consent of instructor. Silbart

Course will focus on the environmental health consequences of exposure to toxic chemicals, food contaminants and radiation. Basic principles of toxicology will be discussed, followed by lectures on specific topics such as: cancer, occupational hazards, radiation, genetic biomonitoring, risk assessment
techniques, risk/benefit analysis, social/legal aspects of regulating toxic chemicals, and other related topics.

229. Animal Embryology and Biotechnology

Second semester. Three credits. Required preparation: ANSC 219 or MCB 215. Yang

This course is designed to introduce students in animal science and related disciplines to recent research in animal embryology and related reproductive biotechnologies. Basic principles, methodology and state of the technology for numerous well-established as well as newly emerged animal biotechnologies such as transgenesis and cloning will be discussed. Lab tours and demonstrations will also be offered.

231. Developing the Driving Horse

First semester. Two credits. One 1-hour lecture and two 1-hour laboratories. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. Consent only. Callahan

Techniques related to training the driving horse will be described.

234. Pleasure Horse Appreciation and Use

Either semester. One credit. One 2-hour laboratory or discussion period. Not open for credit to students who have passed ANSC 236. Callahan

Open to all University students interested in pleasure horses. The principles of horse management and horsemanship are included as well as instruction in riding.

235. Horse Science

First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory or discussion period. Open to sophomores. Dinger

This course will be of particular value to animal science majors and includes horse types and breeds and their nutrition, breeding, evaluation, behavior, care and management with attention given to detailed studies of the problems and practices of horse production and use.

236. Light Horse Training and Management

Second semester. Two credits. Two 2-hour laboratory or discussion periods. Prerequisite: ANSC 235. Open only with consent of instructor. Callahan

The theory, fundamentals and practice of breaking, training, fitting, showing, and the use of horses for riding. Primarily for Animal Science majors.

237. Methods of Equitation Instruction

Second semester. Two credits. One class period and one 2-hour laboratory or discussion period. Taught concurrently with SAAS 37. Consent of instructor required. Callahan

The techniques and procedures of teaching equitation including the theories of riding and teaching methods. Practice teaching will be required under the supervision of the instructor.

238. Horse Breeding Farm Management

Second semester. Three credits. One class period and two 2-hour laboratory or discussion periods. Recommended preparation: ANSC 235. Dinger

This course is designed to develop technical and managerial skills necessary for operating horse farms. Programs for herd health, nutrition, breeding, foaling, and record keeping will be included.

253. Animal Food Products

First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory. Faustman

A study of the food products derived from animal agriculture, including dairy, meat, poultry and fish. Emphasis will be placed on inspection, grading, processing, nutritive value and food safety concerns of these products. Field trips will be required.

253W. Animal Food Products

Four credits.

254. Principles of Poultry Science

Second semester of odd numbered years. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Darre

The application of the basic scientific principles to the management of poultry, egg and meat production systems. Field trips are required.

269. Laboratory Animal Science

Second semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory or discussion period. Prerequisite: BIOL 107 and 108 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Open to sophomores. Milvae

The course is concerned with the principles and practices of laboratory animal care and management in relation to animal characteristics, handling and restraint, animal house design, reproduction and nutrition and legal regulations. Various laboratory animal techniques will be covered.

273. Livestock Management

First semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: ANSC 216.

A study of the problems relating to the production and management of beef cattle, sheep, and swine. Laboratories will involve theory and practice in livestock management, skills, and techniques.

275. Dairy Cattle Management

First semester of even numbered years. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Kazmer

Management of dairy cattle including milking procedures, sanitation, reproduction, selection, and record keeping.

277S. Dairy Herd Management (W, C)

Second semester of odd numbered years. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour discussion period. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 and ANSC 275. Kazmer

Dairy farm management practices with emphasis on business and economic decision making. The effects of various programs in selection, nutrition, facilities, reproduction and herd health on overall business health will be evaluated. Each student will manage a computer simulated herd during the semester and must fulfill requirements for "W" and "C" skill course designations to successfully complete the course. Field trips are required.

278. Dairy Management Decision-making

Both semesters. One credit. One 2-hour discussion period. Consent of instructor required. May be repeated twice for credit. Kazmer

Participation in all phases of dairy herd management including decision-making activities, with particular emphasis on impact of decisions on financial health and stability. Course requires participation beyond specific semester calendars.

281. Horse Selection and Evaluation

Second semester. Two credits. One 4-hour laboratory or discussion period. Taught concurrently with SAAS 081. Not open for credit to graduate students. Consent of instructor is required. Bennett

Comparative evaluation, classification and selection of horses according to conformation, breed characteristics and performance. Judging skills including justification of placings through presentation of oral reasons will be developed. Field trips are required.

283. Livestock and Carcass Evaluation

Second semester. Two credits. Two 2-hour laboratory periods. Taught concurrently with SAAS 83. Not open for credit to graduate students .

University of connecticut
Classification, form to function relationships, grades and value differences of livestock are included. Objective and subjective methods of appraisal are used to evaluate beef cattle, horses, sheep and swine.

284. Dairy Cattle Evaluation

Second semester. Two credits. Two 2-hour laboratory or discussion periods. Kazmer

An introduction to the evaluation of dairy cattle on the basis of conformation. Breed classification and type improvement programs, score card criteria in relation to longevity, physiological efficiency and performance are included. Attention is also given to fitting and showing methods. Field trips may be required.

288. Advanced Animal and Product Evaluation

First semester. Two credits. One 4-hour laboratory or discussion period. Taught concurrently with SAAS 88. Not open for credit to graduate students. May be repeated once for credit. Consent of instructor required.

Intensive training in the evaluation of selected species of farm animals or their products. Type standards and the relation of anatomical features to physiological function are emphasized. Evaluation skills including justification of decisions will be developed. Intercollegiate dairy cattle, horse, livestock, poultry, and meats judging teams will be selected from this course. Field trips are required, some of which may occur prior to the start of the semester.

295. Seminar

Second semester. One credit. One 2-hour discussion period. Open only to juniors and seniors. Zinn

296. Professional Internship

Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only to juniors and seniors with consent of instructor. Andrew, Darre

298. Special Topics

Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit with a change of topic. Contact Department Main Office for list of current topics.

299. Independent Study

Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit.