Animal Science (ASCI)

Economic, environmental and societal impact of the livestock, poultry and horse industries. Basic terminology, anatomy, and physical requirements of animals. Career and academic planning. Co-curricular, extra-curricular, and post-graduate opportunities. Required of all first-time students in the Animal Science Department. Credit/No Credit grading only. 2 lectures.

Comparative physiology of digestive, endocrine, and reproductive systems in animals. Principles of nutrition, genetics, growth, behavior, food processing and safety of animals. Current issues including biosecurity, animal welfare, and government safeguards for human and animal health. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE Area B2.

Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems. Total credit limited to 4 units, with a maximum of 3 units per quarter. Credit/No Credit grading only.

Identification, life cycles, prevention and control of the common external and internal parasites causing economic loss in livestock. 3 lectures.

Muscle food processing methods and operations. Conversion of muscle to meat. Meat inspection, grading, composition, curing, preservation, food safety and related topics. Carcass beef, pork, and lamb processed into consumer ready products. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Application of the management and operations of Cal Poly's Western Bonanza Livestock Show. Principles and procedures in planning, organizing, financing, promoting and managing a major livestock show and the fair industry. Total credit limited to 6 units. Not open to students with credit for ASCI 412 or ASCI 413. 1 lecture, 2 activities.

Application of safety, risk reduction, horsemanship skills. Develop a working equine/human relationship. Selection and application of nutrition, equipment, preventive health and farrier program, and equitation skills. Total credit limited to 6 units. 2 laboratories.

Safe food handling of meat, dairy and egg products, emphasizing consumer knowledge in food safety from farm to table. Ecology of microorganisms in the kitchen environment. Detection, enumeration, and identification of pathogens and indicator microorganisms in animal-based food products. 3 Lectures, 1 laboratory. Fulfills GE Areas B2 and B3 (GE Areas B2 and B4 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

Nutrient digestion and absorption; basic functions of major nutrient classes; NRC feed classification and feedstuff characteristics; Van Soest system of fiber analysis and practical applications; feed processing: effects on feeds and nutrient availability; nutrient requirements of animals; diet formulation techniques. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Survey of industry characteristics, breeds, market classes, production systems, and current issues facing the beef industry. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Structure of the pork industry in the U.S.; production standards and new technologies; breed systems. Market classification, product quality and quality assurance. Swine behavior and husbandry systems; biosecurity, health and feeding systems and management. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Sheep and goat industry overview, populations, trends, cultural implications, breed identification, nutritional, reproductive, health, marketing, and herd management of sheep and goats. Field trip may be required. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

History, status of the horse industry, breeds. Application of management skills, safety, conformation evaluation, hoof and leg conformation and care. Understanding equine behavior. Insurance and tax ramifications. Pedigree analysis. Alternate therapies. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Introduction to modern techniques in poultry production, processing, marketing and price discovery. Consumption trends, breeds and consumer grades. Laboratory application of management skills, health care, keeping of production and accounting records and processing techniques. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Utilization of objective and subjective estimation measures in establishing economic worth of domestic animals of the three meat animal species and horses. 1 lecture, 2 laboratories.

Companion animal anatomy and physiology, reproduction, nutrition, behavior, management, common parasites, and infectious diseases. Scientific method in studying the human-animal bond. Application of biological concepts to problems related to companion animals. Trends in pet industry including animal welfare issues. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Appraisal of equine breeds at halter and in performance classes. Evaluate horse classes, decide their order of placement, and then orally justify these decisions to a judge. The relationship of equine anatomy and physiology on competitive performance. 2 laboratories.

Comprehensive overview of the principal systems of farm animals using an integrative, systemic approach to learning the homeostasis of mammalian organisms so the information can be applied to their daily care and management. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Basic handling skills of livestock; introductory selection of livestock; basic feedstuff identification and processing; and health care practices. 1 laboratory.

Characteristics of rangeland ecosystems, processes of directing ecological change, the history of their management, particularly in North America. Laboratory activities introduce basic ecological monitoring practices, including quantification of biomass, soil cover, and species composition. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Replaces ASCI 329.

Techniques, equipment and knowledge necessary in order to properly condition, groom, and present beef cattle or horses for evaluation and merchandising. 3 activities.

Training of weanling and yearling horses at halter. Selection of proper attire for the handler and equipment for the horse. Application of safe, behavioral training techniques enabling the horse to accept handling, farrier and health care. 3 activities.

Directed group study of selected topics. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.

Beginning field experience in animal production systems. May include health, nutrition, reproduction, management, processing, budgeting, and/or marketing exercises. Total major credit for ASCI 290 limited to 6 units. Total credit for ASCI 290 limited to 10 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1-5 lectures.

Mendelian, population, quantitative, and molecular genetics as related to animal management practices. Predicted responses to natural and artificial selection in domesticated and wild animal populations. 4 lectures.

Application of genetic principles for domestic animal improvement. Improving animal performance and health through use of genetic markers and diagnostics, gene mapping, and related current technologies. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 3 lectures.

Restraint and handling of animals, physical examination, necropsy procedure, basic wound management, applied pharmacology. Reproduction and herd health programs. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Management principles for the sustainability of commercial beef cattle operations. Systems approach for goal setting, financial analysis, range management, breeding systems, nutrition, health programs, marketing, and production practices to enhance profitability of commercial cow-calf operations. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Basic disease concepts. Fundamentals of immunology and therapeutics. Disease prevention principles, infectious and non-infectious. Pre-harvest food safety and milk and meat quality assurance. Herd health management programs for production efficiency and product quality. 3 lectures.

Anatomy and physiology of the equine hoof and limb. An understanding of the art and science of the farrier's work. Evaluation of proper hoof care, trimming, and shoeing. Foot and leg conformation as it relates to sound locomotion. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

Integration of the principles of chemistry, biochemistry, physiology and nutrition to understand metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins at the cellular, organ and whole animal level. Regulation and coordination of metabolic function within and across tissues in domesticated and wild animals. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE Area Upper-Division B (GE Areas B5, B6, or B7 for students on the 2019-20 catalog).

Public health concerns including: animal and bird diseases which may be transmitted to people; pre-harvest food safety and handling concerns; and environmental public health hazards. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

Appraising the relative merit of individual horses in halter and performance through the application, development and refinement of deductive and inductive logical processes. Oral and written expression of the selection rationale. 2 laboratories.

Management of replacement pullets and laying hens including flock scheduling, vaccination and handling procedures, nutrition management, costs of operation and production projections. Quality determination, processing, sales and distribution of shell eggs and egg products. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Application of deductive and inductive logical processes in appraising the relative merit of individual animals within a group sample. Oral expression of the selection rationale. Total credits limited to 4 units. 2 laboratories.

Modern production techniques for the poultry meat industry. Management of hatcheries, poultry production, and poultry meat processing. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Management of the breeding farm, breeding problems, diseases, study of estrus cycles, servicing the mare, handling stallions. Breeding systems, teasing, embryo transfer, ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis, new developments in breeding technology. 4 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Selected Animal Science students will spend up to 12 weeks with an approved agricultural firm engaged in production or related business. Time will be spent applying and developing production and managerial skills and abilities. One unit of credit may be allowed for each full week of completed and reported internship. Major credit limited to 6 units. Total credit limited to 12 units. Credit/No Credit grading only.

Introduction to moral principles that have shaped the field of animal welfare science. Definition of Animal Welfare. Identification of science-based measures of welfare. Current welfare concerns with companion, laboratory, production, and exotic animals. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures.

Organization and management of vertically integrated poultry operations. Personnel management, cash flow analysis, cash vs. accrual accounting, structuring of financial statements, projecting product outputs and cash flow needs, employee benefit programs and insurance needs for poultry companies. 4 lectures.

Behavior of the horse and its relationship with people. Learning, motivation, social behavior and communication with techniques to improve the safety and understanding between people and horses. Total credit limited to 6 units. 3 activities.

Advanced principles of equine behavior modification for training young horses under saddle. Identifying differences in individual horse's attitudes, techniques to teach horses to respond to different stimuli, management of young equine athlete. 5 activities.

Equine digestion, diet development considerations and evaluations, nutritional management, and the relationship of respective topics to recommended feeding practices, research data, and nutritional portfolios. Information is based on recent advances in horse nutrition and the National Research Council's Nutrient Requirements for Horses. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Applied physiology of the exercising horse. Examine different physiological systems: muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, and nutritional. Gait analysis, lameness, and treatment. The athletic horse: sports medicine, conditioning, drugs, and necropsy evaluation. A distance learning course. 3 lectures.

Comparison of nonruminant and ruminant digestive systems, nutrient requirements, risk management for ingredients, formulation and nutritional management. Influence of growth and production curves, consumption patterns, and feeding management in commercial poultry and swine industries. Feed manufacturing and governmental regulations. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Reproductive anatomy of male and female farm animals. General endocrinology and systemic physiology. Endocrine system effects on the various aspects of reproduction, such as: gametogenesis, estrus, gestation, parturition, mothering and seasonality. Introduction to reproductive biotechnology and embryo manipulation. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Digestive physiology and nutrition of ruminants. Anatomy and physiology of the digestive tract. Rumen microbial fermentation. Nitrogen utilization and metabolism. Energy partitioning. Net energy system. Range livestock and feedlot nutrition. Supplementation. Common metabolic and nutritional dysfunctions. Diet formulation. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Application of holistic management, a goal-oriented, value-driven framework for making ecologically, economically, and socially sound decisions. Holistic approach to management, especially of land-based resources, aimed toward greater biodiversity and sustainability. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Crosslisted as AG/ASCI 360. Fulfills GE Area Upper-Division B (GE Areas B5, B6, or B7 for students on the 2019-20 catalog).

Major developments in the chosen field of the student. Discussion of new developments, policies, practices, and procedures. Each individual is responsible for the development and presentation of a topic in the chosen field, resume, and cover letter. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 2 seminars.

Investigation of pharmacological principles applied to animal systems. Overview of drugs acting on the nervous, endocrine, circulatory, urinary systems, and reproductive systems, specialty areas of pharmacology, and pharmacogenomics of livestock and companion animals. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

Review of practices used for improving the productivity or ecological functions of rangeland landscapes managed for grazing livestock, wildlife, or for ecological and/or aesthetic values. 3 lectures.

Natural resource management practices recommended for regulatory compliance and resource protection of rangeland ecosystems in California. Regulations that impact rangeland management under the Clean Water and Porter-Cologne Acts, and State and Federal endangered species protections. 3 lectures.

Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems. Total credit limited to 4 units, with a maximum of 4 units per quarter. Credit/No Credit grading only.

Coverage of current resources, techniques and methodologies used in animal research and biotechnology as well as experimental design, model assessment, and data interpretation with application to an experimental setting in the laboratory. 3 lectures, 2 laboratories.

Endocrine homeostasis with emphasis on the influence of hormones involved in digestion, metabolism, calcium and phosphorous, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, reproduction, and pregnancy. Signaling pathways. 4 lectures.

Comparative physiology and molecular understanding of oocyte development, fertilization, culturing, cryopreservation and micromanipulation of gametes and embryos. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

Coverage of current resources, advanced techniques and methodologies of assisted reproduction of gametes and embryos involving in-vivo collection, in-vitro fertilization, cryopreservation and micromanipulation. Mouse, cattle and horse gametes used for learning the techniques involved in embryology and assisted reproduction 1 lecture, 2 laboratories.

Principles of behavior applied to animals in managed environments. Observation and measurement of behavior, including sampling and recording methods. Learning, including training and operant conditioning. Discussion of issues related to behavioral welfare. Etiology and management of maladaptive behavior. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Organization and planning for the Western Bonanza Junior Livestock Show. Establishment of committee assignments and show manager responsibilities. Corporate partnerships established and fund raising begun. Planning for activities and guest speakers and new student recruitment. Total credit limited to 6 units. 1 lecture, 2 activities.

Student management of the Western Bonanza Junior Livestock Show. Leadership skills, team building, media relations, use of computer applications, livestock and fair industry contacts and mentoring to new students. Application of knowledge learned in ASCI 412. Total credit limited to 2 units. 1 activity.

Using Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles to develop regulatory inspection plans for meat and poultry operations; development and use of prerequisite programs; microbiological and process overviews. 3 lectures.

Relation of nutrient metabolism to animal production, exploration of systems used in development of animal nutritional models. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures. Formerly ASCI 420.

Study tour of commercial meat businesses. Livestock harvest and carcass fabrication, further meat processing, retail and food service operations. Personnel, processing procedures, regulatory standards, industry specifications and current issues. Travel for 4 days. 2 activities.

Homeostatic relationships of organ systems. Cardiovascular, respiratory, urogenital and neuro-endocrinological functions. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Introduction to immune system, including innate and acquired immunity of domesticated animals. Application of immunological analyses and examination of current disease issues in domesticated animals. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Development of spreadsheets relating to livestock production. Integration of database and analytical techniques. Cost-benefit analyses of livestock production systems. 2 lectures, 2 activities.

Assisted reproductive technologies in horses; use of gametes from normal and sub-fertile horses; manipulation of sub-fertile horses, donor and recipient mares; manipulation of endocrine system; embryo utilization; cryobiology of gametes and embryos; assessment of high-risk mare, fetus, and neonate. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Examination of methods used for determining the healthy and function of rangeland ecosystems, and the application of planning processes used in the management of rangelands and associated ecosystems. Field trip required. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Theory and application of grassland and brushland assessment and monitoring practices for evaluating grazing use, wildlife habitat quality, and fuels condition, and general ecological health. Course completion may be counted towards professional certifications. The course is intentionally structured to accommodate inservice training for federal land management agency and conservation organization staff. 2 lectures, 2 activity.

Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.

Directed group laboratory study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 laboratories.

Independent research experience in a specific area of animal science conducted under faculty supervision. Satisfies senior project requirement. Minimum 90 hours required.

Independent internship experience conducted under faculty supervision focusing on a discipline area of animal science. Completion of a project as a component of the internship. Satisfies senior project requirement. Minimum 90 hours required.

Critical evaluation and formal presentation of current issues facing animal agriculture. Evaluation of current topics, analysis of supporting evidence and logic, and synthesis and formal presentation of the resulting perspectives on different approaches to current challenges. 3 lectures.

Physical, chemical and functional characteristics of meat food raw materials. Science and technology of value-added processing including curing, sausage manufacture, low moisture products, and restructuring. Quality assurance and related current industry topics. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly ASCI 384.

Advanced field experience in animal production systems. May include health, nutrition, reproduction, management, processing, budgeting, and/or marketing exercises as well as management decision-making opportunities. Total major credit for ASCI 490 limited to 6 units. Total credit for ASCI 490 limited to 10 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1-5 lectures.

Advanced independent study planned and completed under the direction of a member of the Animal Science faculty. Total credit limited to 6 units.

Advanced problem-based presentation of animal nutrition case studies. Emphasis on nutrients, clinical nutrition disorders and species not commonly considered in production animal nutrition. Analytical and problem-solving skills will be utilized to develop solutions to complex animal nutrition management issues. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 12 units. 1 to 4 seminars.

Directed group laboratory study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 laboratories.

Current findings and research problems in the field and their application to the industry. Credit/No Credit grading only. Total credit limited to 12 units. 1-4 seminars.

Independent research experience in biological or biomedical research. Proposal writing and literature review; experimental design, implementation and troubleshooting; oral and poster presentations. 1 seminar and supervised work. Crosslisted as ASCI/BIO/BMED 583. Formerly ASCI/BIO/BMED 594.

Supervised graduate research and/or development in stem cell science or regenerative medicine and engineering. Provides students with an off-campus industrial or university internship. Total credit limited to 10 units. Crosslisted as ASCI/BIO/BMED 593.