BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
BIO 170 SYLLABUS
Walla Walla Community College
Winter 2015
Prepared by: P. van Dyke
COURSE AND TITLE
BIO 170
Applied Equine Biology
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The focus of this course is on the structure and function of the equine. Course
topics will be diverse, but will try to encompass student’s needs. Topics will
include units on safety, conformation, and the skeletal, muscular, digestive, and
reproductive systems. It will also provide information on foot care, tooth care,
nutrition, vaccination and worming programs, and general horse care. Additional
topics such as pre-purchase exams, lameness exams, colic prevention and treatment,
emergency care, and other issues will be discussed depending on available time and
student interest.
CREDIT AND HOURS
Three (3) credit hours. This course is offered as an on-line class.
TEXT AND MATERIALS
Required:
Book of Horses, A Complete Medical Reference Guide for Horses and Foals,
University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Edited by Mordecai
Siegal, 1996, Harper Collins Publishing, New York.
*Note Packet – Purchase at Walla Walla Community College Bookstore
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Other Possible References:
The Complete Book of Horse Care, by Hawcroft, Tim, 1983, Howell Book House,
New York.
The Merck Veterinary Manual, edited by Cynthia M. Kahn and Scott Line, 9th
Edition.
CLASSROOM GROUND RULES
In general, any behavior that could be construed as negative in an online setting will
not be tolerated. Student posts and their other work submitted online will be
required to not use curse words, negative connotations about groups or individuals,
or be in any manner harmful to others. Plagiarism will also not be allowed.
EVALUATION
Weekly quizzes, and weekly discussion participation online will form the bulk of
your grade. Each quiz will have a 10 point value. Additionally you will have
several chances to show me that you understand the basic external surface anatomy
of the horse.
Incomplete (I) grades may only be given if at least 2/3 of the classwork is completed
and the student is doing passing work. It is only used under extenuating
circumstances where a student cannot complete the course material within the
normal time period. This uncompleted work must be completed within the first two
weeks of the subsequent quarter. The testing method is usually an oral examination.
A no-credit (Z) grade is only given when the course objectives are not met due to
extenuating circumstances.
ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS
Although we will not meet in a classroom setting, you will need to check in on
Canvas regularly and perform your assigned work and readings.
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OFFICE
Room 44 Phone 527-4347 E-mail peter.vandyke@wwcc.edu
Office hours vary with class schedule. I will maintain office hours that are posted
on my door. If you cannot meet with the instructor during these times, alternate
times can be found to accommodate your schedule.
EXTRA CREDIT
There will probably be no extra credit.
DISABILITIES
If you have a documented learning or other disability that the instructor should be
aware of, please notify them. If you believe you might have a disability, you can talk
with Dr. Claudia Angus in our Disabilities Office.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
This class is designed to provide more information to persons with an interest in
horses. I will try to orient the class in such a way that students can learn as much as
possible about horses in general, but also try to highlight specific interest areas that
you may have. We will use the horse as a model for understanding the biology of
mammals in general.
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SCHEDULE - Topics to be Covered
1. Introduction
2. The Relationship between you and your Veterinarian
3. Agroterrorism
4. Maintenance Care
Vaccination, Worming (deworming), and Teeth Care Schedules
5. Safety and Restraint
6. Anatomy and Conformation
7. Feet, Shoeing, and Lameness
8. Musculoskeletal System
9. Body Systems & Related Disorders
Digestive
Eyes
Respiratory
Skin
Nervous
Cardiovascular
Immune
Urinary
Endocrine
10. First Aid
11. Transportation of Horses
12. Parasites
13. Reproduction
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GRADING SCALE
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
93% - 100%
90% - 93%
87% - 90%
83% - 87%
80% - 83%
77% - 80%
73% - 77%
70% - 73%
67% - 70%
60% - 67%
0% - 60%
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