AG31: Animal Science
Instructor:
Mr. Kevin Hicks, B.S.
Phone: 480-308-7488
E-mail: klhicks@mpsaz.org
Course web page:
Course Description:
Welcome to Animal Science!!! Students will learn production and management of beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep,
swine, stock horses, goats, poultry and rabbits; evaluation of livestock for agricultural purposes, housing and
care requirements of common livestock and companion animals. Also, a survey of the total animal industry,
including the basis for genetic improvement, principles of nutrition and reproduction, along with scientific
analysis of meat, milk, and egg production. Study of local agricultural production businesses. Prerequisites:
Biology (AG30 or SC49).
Text:
-
Warren, D. M., 2002. Small animal care and management: 2nd edition.
Gillespie, J. R., 2004. Modern Livestock & Poultry Production: 7th edition.
Herren, R. 2000. The Science of Animal Agriculture: 2nd edition.
Course Competencies:
1. Identify and explain the uses of various types of restraint and other physical equipment used in livestock
production.
2. Identify various breeds of beef cattle, and describe their housing and care requirements.
3. Identify various breeds of dairy cattle, and describe their housing and care requirements.
4. Identify various breeds of swine, and describe their housing and care requirements.
5. Identify various breeds of horses, and describe their housing and care requirements.
6. Identify various breeds of sheep, and describe their housing and care requirements.
7. Identify various breeds of goats, and describe their housing and care requirements.
8. Identify various breeds of poultry, and describe their housing and care requirements.
9. Explain the business concerns that affect the livestock producer.
10. Describe common methods of marketing livestock products.
11. Cite and explain federal and state laws that govern the production of livestock.
12. Explain the classification of animals according to their digestive systems.
13. Identify and list the functions of the major anatomical systems of animals.
14. Define the concepts of nutrition and metabolism, and explain the importance of each in maintaining animal
health.
15. Explain the role of nutrients in the growth and development of animals.
16. Identify the environmental factors that affect animals.
17. Explain the roles of vaccination and disease prevention in maintaining animal health.
18. Identify common animal diseases, and explain the sources through which animals can contract diseases of
various kinds.
19. Explain common patterns of animal behavior.
20. Explain the process by which genes and chromosomes are expressed in animals.
21. Describe how the principle of population genetics apply to production livestock.
22. Describe mating systems commonly used with production livestock to improve the animals.
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken daily and absences may affect your grade.
Evaluation Procedures and Grading:
Unit tests may be given at the end of each unit. There will be a mid-term and final exam. There will also be
quizzes given at the teacher’s digression. Points will come from a variety of assignments, labs, and quizzes.
Students will be required to have a Supervised Agricultural Experience program (SAE) and participate in FFA
activities as mandated by the state department of education. These activities will be figured in as part of the
final exam grade.
Each student will be given 100 responsibility points at the beginning of each semester. Students will lose 10
points for various offenses outlined in the class rules. These include but are not limited to coming to class
unprepared, unauthorized talking, lack of note taking, cell phone or i-pod usage, inappropriate language,
disrespect, tardiness, and horseplay.
The semester grading scale is based on the standard for the Mesa School District and is as
follows:
A=
B=
C=
D=
F=
90%-100%
80%-89%
70%-79%
60%-69%
59% or below
Late Assignments:
Late assignments will only be accepted if approved by the instructor. Make up work can be made up at lunch,
after school, or before school unless other arrangements are made. Late work more than one week past its due
date will lose 50% for each week after that.
Homework:
Students are expected to study content from this course for at least 10 minutes each day and complete
homework assignments in a timely manner. Vocabulary tests will be given and study materials will be provided,
thus students need to study in order to perform well on these tests. Students are also to conduct a Supervised
Agricultural Experience program, which students are expected to keep accurate records outside of class time.
Materials Needed for this Course:
Students should have the following materials for this course:
- A three-ring binder or folder with paper and a means to store documents
- A separate folder or binder for the semester portfolio
- It is also important for students to have a way to store papers that are graded and returned in case of
any error in the grade book.
- It is recommended that students store extra clothes, shoes, or boots at the school for days that labs are
done on the land lab with farm animals (so they don’t stink the rest of the day). Student storage bins are
provided.
Disclaimer Statement:
The pace and character of this course may be adjusted to reflect the needs of the class.
Agri-Science Program Semester Final Requirements
SEMESTER 1
I. Classroom (100 points)
 Class written final or portfolio during finals week (100 points)
II. FFA (100 pts)
 Attend/Complete one of the following FFA activities (75 points)
o District or State CDE event
o CDE State Test
o FFA sponsored activity (after school)
o Entertainment book sale (sell 2 books)
o National convention
o After school officer meeting
o Other activity as approved by the advisor
o NOTE: every additional activity will be 5 points E.C. up to 125%
o NOTE: activity (verification required) in other clubs on campus = 10 points E.C. up to
125%
 Complete FFA Knowledge Portfolio assignment (25 points)
III. SAE (100 points)
 Complete online record book system (100 points)
IV. Responsibility Points (100 points)
 Behavior points given at beginning of semester
______________________________________________________________________
SEMESTER 2
I. Classroom (100 points)
 Class written final or portfolio during finals week (100 points)
II. FFA (100 points)
 Attend/Complete one of the following FFA activities (75 points)
o District or State CDE event
o FFA sponsored activity (after school)
o After school officer meeting
o Raise an animal and show it at county fair
o Other activity as approved by the advisor
o NOTE: every additional activity will be 5 points E.C. up to 125%
o NOTE: activity (verification required) in other clubs on campus = 10 points E.C. up to
125%
 Complete FFA Knowledge Portfolio assignment (25 points)
III. SAE (100 points)
 Complete a proficiency award application (100 points)
IV. Responsibility Points (100 points)
 Behavior points given at beginning of semester
MESA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CTE – AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
AG31 ANIMAL SCIENCE SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
SEMESTER I
Unit
Unit Titles & Topics
1
IntroductionSyllabus, Leadership, SAE, FFA, etc.
2
Careers-
Standard(s)
3.0, 7.0, 8.0,
9.0
1.0, 2.0
Lab(s)
None
None
Resumes, Cover Letters, Career exploration
3
Quality AssuranceCertification
4
Animal Behavior & SafetyLearning & Training, Communication, Group Behavior &
Order, Grazing & Feeding, Mother/infant, Sexual Behavior
5
Classification of Animals-
10, 15, 19, 20,
22, 23, 27,
32.4
4.0, 5.0, 10,
29
Proper Injections (1
hr)
Withdrawal Time (1
hr)
Intro to Effective
Restraining (1 hr)
19.2, 28.1
None
26
Tractor operation
(at least 2 hrs)
T/P/R & CRT (1 hr)
Restraint (1 hr)
None
Domestication, historical perspective
Classifying animals by digestive system & scientifically
Animal contributions to humans
6
Mechanical SystemsTractor safety & operation
7
DogsBreeds, housing, feeding, health and reproduction
8
Animal Rights, Welfare and Ethics-
15, 28.1.3,
30.1
4.0, 5.0, 21.0
Animal rights & welfare, ethical issues in agriculture animal
production and research
9
CatsBreeds, housing, feeding, health and reproduction
10
External Anatomy & PhysiologyOverview of major animal organ systems
11
Rabbits & CaviesBreeds, housing, feeding, health, reproduction &
showmanship
12
HorsesBreeds, housing, horse feeds, for work and pleasure, health
programs, judging
15, 28.1.3,
30.1
28.1.1, 28.1.2,
28.2
15, 28.1.3,
30.1
15, 28.1.3,
30.1
None
External Anatomy –
use live animals (2
hrs)
Showmanship (1 hr)
Tatooing (1 hr)
Grooming (1 hr)
Sexing (1 hr)
None
Semester II
Unit
Unit Titles & Topics
13
Genetics, Selection, Heredity &
Breeding Systems-
Standard(s)
11.5
Lab(s)
Genetics (1 hr)
15, 28.1.3,
30.1
Ear Notching (1 hr)
15, 28.1.3,
30.1
Showmanship (1 hr)
Banding & Dusting
(1 hr)
Egg Development
(3 hrs)
Proper production
feeding (1 hr)
Feed Efficiency (3
hrs)
Basics of Genetics
Expressions of genes, environmental influences on gene
expression
Population genetics, wildlife, zoology, animal ecology
Heritability and mating systems
14
SwineBreeds, Housing & lots, Feed materials for meat production,
health program
15
PoultryBreeds, housing, feeding, animal health program,
showmanship
16
Nutrition & Metabolism-
15.10, 23, 30
Balanced nutrition, feeds & feeding
Growth & Development, ADG, Rations, Production needs
Nutrients & nutrition, Metabolism, Enzymatic digestion,
Absorption, Nutrient transport
Nutritional needs of ruminants & nonruminants
17
BeefBreeds, Housing, Feed materials for weight production,
Animal health program
18
DairyBreeds, Barns & milking equipment, feeds for milk
production, Animal health program
19
Animal Environment, Health & Disease-
15, 28.1.3,
30.1
15, 28.1.3,
30.1
22, 32
Epidemiology (2 hrs)
Glow Germs (1 hr)
15, 28.1.3,
30.1
15, 28.1.3,
30.1
Hoof Care (1 hr)
Grooming (2 hrs)
GPS (1 hr)
Maps (1 hr)
Fire/Weather (1 hr)
Orienteering (2 hrs)
Mystery Animal (2
hrs)
Feed Ration (1 hr)
Water Testing (2 hrs)
Plumbing/PVC (2
hrs)
None
Maintaining health, Immunity & Vaccination, Disease
prevention, Types & classification of disease
Disease agents, Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa,
Parasites (internal & external)
20
Goats & SheepBreeds, Housing, Feed materials, Animal health program
21
Wildlife ManagementWildlife CDE practicums: ID, GPS, map reading
22
AquacultureFeed ration, Water testing, Fillet and packing
23
StructuresSafety, Bill of Materials, Structural plan, Plumbing,
Electrical, Concrete/masonry
Castration (1 hr)
Tagging/Branding/
Dehorning (1 hr)
CMT (2 hrs)
Butter Making (1 hr)
17, 19, 24,
30.4
26