Animal Science (ANSC)
ANSC 1119. Animal Science Laboratory. 1 Hour. [TCCN: AGRI 1119]
Students engage in practical applications of introductory Animal Science material. General Animal Science Laboratory for ANSC 1319. Course Equivalents: AGRI 1119
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in ANSC 1319.
ANSC 1319. Animal Science. 3 Hours. [TCCN: AGRI 1319]
Students learn the fundamentals of Animal Science and the subsequent industries that utilize animals including cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, wildlife and companion animals. After completing this introductory course, students should have knowledge of the basic concepts of selection, reproduction, breeding, genetics, behavior, nutrition, animal products, management and research as applied to animal management. Course Equivalents: AGRI 1319
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in ANSC 1119.
ANSC 2321. Livestock Evaluation & Selection. 3 Hours. [TCCN: AGRI 2321]
Students study the principles and practices used in the evaluation and selection of livestock, including cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and horses. Students will develop practical skills in analyzing structural correctness, performance data, and breed characteristics, while also learning to defend their decisions through clear and concise reasons. Course Equivalents: AGRI 2321 .
ANSC 2330. Companion Animal Science. 3 Hours.
Students identify and interpret fundamentals of the companion animal industry, including species and breeds, feeding and nutrition, reproduction, anatomy and physiology, care, management, training, health, behavior, and current research topics related to companion animals. Course Equivalents: AGRI 2330
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better.
ANSC 2340. Application of Small Animal Behavior Modification. 3 Hours.
Student interpret and recognize instincts and basics of behavior in the domesticated small animal. The course will cover what factors influence how animals learn and how positive and negative reinforcement works in the practical application of these methods to help students learn to modify animal behavior and produce animals that are stable, well-behaved and unobtrusive. We will discuss genetics, environmental influences, biological rhythms, communication, and others in order to accomplish developing our understanding of their behaviors.
ANSC 2350. Food Safety and Regulation. 3 Hours.
Students gain knowledge in the microbiology of human foods and standard industry techniques of inspection and control. Topics include microbiological threats from human food, origins of foodborne illnesses, good manufacturing practices and standard operating procedures, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles specifically related to meat and poultry, food safety regulations, and regulatory agencies.
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319.
ANSC 2360. Animals and Society. 3 Hours.
Students discuss the broad role of animals in society from national, global, and historic perspectives. The impact of animals and domestic livestock on economic, social, and political policy are discussed. Emphasis may be placed on agricultural and non-agricultural uses, societal and cultural perspectives, consumer influences, animal ethics, animal research, appropriate animal care, livestock quality assurance programs, animal welfare, animal rights and the animal-human bond. Course Equivalents: AGRI 2360 .
ANSC 2370. Introduction to Poultry Science. 3 Hours.
Students gain knowledge in poultry farming and management, along with information about employment opportunities in the poultry industry. Topics may include common breeds used, the breakdown of the industry, while also learning about management practices for each sector of the industry.
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319.
ANSC 2396. Special Topics in Animal Science. 3 Hours.
Students examine special topics/issues in Animal Science at an introductory level. This course may be repeated up to three times as topics and subject matter changes.
ANSC 3336. Livestock Marketing. 3 Hours.
Students study livestock marketing techniques, cash sales, risk management, forward contracting, problem solving using real-time livestock marketing situations, and risk of ownership in hypothetical livestock operations. Course Equivalents: AGRI 3336
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and Sophomore standing.
ANSC 3363. Anatomy & Physiology of the Domestic Animal. 3 Hours.
Students recognize aspects of anatomy and physiology of domestic animals, including the nervous, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, urinary, and endocrine systems. Course Equivalents: AGRI 3363
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and Sophomore standing.
ANSC 3373. Animal Nutrition. 3 Hours.
Students study the fundamental principles of animal nutrition through the physiology of digestion, anatomy, and function of the various digestive systems and will learn to apply the course material to the utilization and metabolism of the primary classes of nutrients (water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals). Course Equivalents: AGRI 3373
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better, 4 Credits in CHEM, and Sophomore standing.
ANSC 3376. Meat Science. 3 Hours.
Students study the fundamental principles of meat science through skeletal and muscle anatomy, msucle biology, and the conversion of muscle to meat. Emphasis may be placed on quality attributes of meat, food safety, science and technology used to produce wholesome products. The lab will focus on the sequence of animal processing from production to harvest, fabrication, storage, and evaluation of meat and meat products. Course Equivalents: AGRI 3376
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and Sophomore standing.
ANSC 3377. Meat and Muscle Biology. 3 Hours.
Students examine fundamental principles of muscle structure, function, fiber type, and repair, as well as the physiological transformation of muscle to an edible product. Additionally, students investigate how each of the characteristics of muscle affect the ultimate quality of a product through its conversion into meat.
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and Sophomore standing.
ANSC 4310. Animal Growth & Performance. 3 Hours.
Students study the fundamental principles of animal growth and performance. This course may include the study of meat animal growth and devleopmental processes as they affect animal performance, body and carcass composition, quality, and value. Course Equivalents: AGRI 4310
Prerequisite: ANSC 3373 and Junior standing.
ANSC 4336. Stocker & Feedlot Management. 3 Hours.
Students evaluate the basic principles involved in feeding, management, marketing, and disease control of stocker and feedlot cattle for economical production of beef. A review of scientific knowledge and research advances is applied to modern stocker and feedlot cattle operations. Course Equivalents: AGRI 4336
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and Junior standing.
ANSC 4337. Behavior and Management of Animals. 3 Hours.
Students examine the behavior of animals and how it is influenced by domestication, genetics, physiology, management, and both physical and social environments. Students will explore how animals perceive and interact with their world, the causes of normal and abnormal behaviors, the basics of learned behaviors, and strategies for improving animal welfare, productivity, and human–animal interactions. Topics include social organization, aggression, sexual behavior, cognition, handling, training, and recent research developments in applied animal behavior consisting of livestock, companion, and exotic. Course Equivalents: AGRI 4337
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and Junior standing.
ANSC 4339. Advanced Livestock and Horse Evaluation. 3 Hours.
Students engage in an advanced study of the visual appraisal, grading, and evaluation techniques affiliated with livestock and horses. The evaluation of conformation is studied along with the influence of heredity and environmental factors, industry trends and standards, and performance and production factors. Junior standing. Course Equivalents: AGRI 4339
Prerequisite: ANSC 2321 or ANSC 2390.
ANSC 4360. Livestock Management Techniques. 3 Hours.
Students explore skills and knowledge pertaining to the production of beef cattle, swine, goats, sheep, and horses. Laboratory exercises involve various management practices and selection of livestock based on visual evaluation and genetic performance. This course is not intended for animal science majors. Course Equivalents: AGRI 4360
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and must have completed 55 hours of coursework.
ANSC 4369. Animal Science Special Topics. 3 Hours.
Students examine special topics/issues in Animal Science at an advanced level. This course may be repeated up to three times as topics and subject matter change.
Prerequisite: Junior standing.
ANSC 4376. Sheep & Goat Production & Management. 3 Hours.
Students study sheep and goat production systems, providing advanced knowledge of small ruminant management. Students will apply principles of genetics, physiology, and nutrition to practical production scenarios involving sheep and goats. Topics may include reproduction, health care, fiber, dairy meat production, marketing, and industry management practices. Course Equivalents: AGRI 4376
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better Junior standing.
ANSC 4380. Beef Cattle Production & Management. 3 Hours.
Students explore the principles and practices involved in the efficient and sustainable production of beef cattle. Topics may include breeding and genetics, nutrition, reproduction, health management, behavior, housing, environmental stewardship, and marketing strategies. Students will study the structure of the beef industry from cow-calf to feedlot operations and evaluate management decisions that influence productivity and profitability. Emphasis may be placed on the integration of science-based knowledge with practical production techniques to address real-world challenges in beef cattle systems. Course Equivalents: AGRI 4380
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and Junior standing.
ANSC 4389. Animal Reproduction. 3 Hours.
Students explore the principles of reproductive anatomy, physiology, endocrinology, and biotechnology in domestic animals. Students will examine the processes of gametogenesis, fertilization, embryonic development, pregnancy, and parturition in livestock species. Emphasis may be placed on understanding the hormonal regulation of reproduction and the management practices that optimize reproductive efficiency. The course also explores applied reproductive technologies used in modern animal production systems. Junior standing. Course Equivalents: AGRI 4389
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better.
ANSC 4393. Animal Legal Issues. 3 Hours.
Students examine federal and Texas State laws that affect animal agriculture, animal uses, trade and ownership. The difference between criminal, civil and tort law will be discussed, as well as the differences between written and case law. The importance of clear and precise laws will be discussed as well as animal owner’s rights when accused of a violation of cruelty laws. This course is an introduction into an array of laws to give the student a better understanding of how the legal system works and how and what laws may affect them in the animal industry.
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and Junior standing.
ANSC 4394. Animal Feeds And Feeding. 3 Hours.
Students study the characteristics of feedstuffs; a review of the essential nutrients and digestion; ration and mixture formulation; feeding methods; and nutritional management of beef, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, and horses. Exercises consist of practical applications in formulating rations for livestock using conventional techniques and computers. Course Equivalents: AGRI 4394
Prerequisite: ANSC 3373, and C or better in MATH and Senior standing.
ANSC 4395. Animal Breeding & Genetics. 3 Hours.
Students explore the genetic principles and quantitative methods used to improve livestock populations through selective breeding. Students will study the inheritance of traits, population genetics, heritability, genetic correlations, selection methods, and modern biotechnologies used in animal improvement programs. Emphasis may be placed on applying genetic principles to enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in animal production systems. The course integrates theoretical foundations with practical applications, including data analysis, breeding value estimation, and the use of genetic evaluation tools. Course Equivalents: AGRI 4395
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and Junior standing.
ANSC 4397. Disaster/Emergency Management in Agriculture. 3 Hours.
Students learn key information and tactical strategies to prepare evacuation plans and protocols for animal agriculture business ventures while understanding the management and implementation of plans from a community perspective. Topics may include risk and hazard assessment; processes to identify critical control points, resources, and agencies necessary to build effective plans of action and mitigation agreements for disaster preparedness; and implementation of tactical plans involving animal and agricultural enterprises.
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and Junior standing.
ANSC 4398. Animal Diseases & Public Health. 3 Hours.
Student study diseases shared in nature between animals and man. Emphasis is placed on how these diseases exist in natural environments, modes of transmission, and methods of control and prevention. Students explore infectious agents and the clinical signs that they cause in both humans and animals. Course Equivalents: AGRI 4398
Prerequisite: ANSC 1319 with a grade of C or better and junior standing.
