(1) Advanced Animal Science. To be prepared for careers in the field of animal science, students need to attain academic skills and knowledge, acquire knowledge and skills related to animal systems, and develop knowledge and skills regarding career opportunities, entry requirements, and industry standards. To prepare for success, students need opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills in a variety of settings. This course examines the interrelatedness of human, scientific, and technological dimensions of livestock production. Instruction is designed to allow for the application of scientific and technological aspects of animal science through field and laboratory experiences.
(2) Nature of science. Science, as defined by the National Academy of Sciences, is the "use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process." This vast body of changing and increasing knowledge is described by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models. Students should know that some questions are outside the realm of science because they deal with phenomena that are not scientifically testable.
(3) Scientific inquiry. Scientific inquiry is the planned and deliberate investigation of the natural world. Scientific methods of investigation are experimental, descriptive, or comparative. The method chosen should be appropriate to the question being asked.
(4) Science and social ethics. Scientific decision making is a way of answering questions about the natural world. Students should be able to distinguish between scientific decision-making methods (scientific methods) and ethical and social decisions that involve science (the application of scientific information).
(5) Science, systems, and models. A system is a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact. All systems have basic properties that can be described in space, time, energy, and matter. Change and constancy occur in systems as patterns and can be observed, measured, and modeled. These patterns help to make predictions that can be scientifically tested. Students should analyze a system in terms of its components and how these components relate to each other, to the whole, and to the external environment.
Topics to be covered in class (no particular order):
* At least 40% of instructional time, conducts field and laboratory investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices
* Use scientific methods and equipment during field and laboratory investigations
*uses critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving to make informed decisions within and outside the classroom
* evaluates the employability characteristics of an employee
*demonstrates principles relating to the human, scientific, and technological dimensions of scientific animal agriculture and the resources necessary for producing domesticated animals
*applies the principles of reproduction and breeding to livestock improvement
* applies the principles of molecular genetics and heredity
*examines and compares animal anatomy and physiology in livestock species
*determines nutritional requirements of ruminant and non-ruminant animals
*evaluates animal diseases and parasites
*defines how an organism grows and how specialized cells, tissues, and organs develop
* recognizes policies and issues in animal science
*discusses livestock harvesting operations
* explores methods of marketing livestock
*develops an advanced supervised agriculture experience program as it relates to agriculture, food, and natural resources