Course Syllabus

AGRI 1419 – INTRODUCTORY ANIMAL SCIENCE

Lecture and Lab

Catalog Description: Scientific animal production and the importance of livestock and meat industries.
Selection, reproduction, nutrition, management, and marketing of livestock.

Lecture hours =3, Lab hours = 1

Prerequisites: None

Semester Credit Hours: 4

Lecture Hours per Week: 3
Lab Hours per Week: 1
Contact Hours per Semester: 64
State Approval Code: 01.0901.51 01

Class section meeting time:

Alternate Operations During Campus Closure: In the event of an emergency or announced campus
closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered
operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods
that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing,
email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola
College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for
each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general
information.

Core Components and Related College Student Learning Outcomes

This course counts as part of the academic requirements of the Panola College Core Curriculum and an
Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. Yes No: If no, skip to Instructional Goals.
The items below marked with an X reflect the state-mandated outcomes for this course IF this is a CORE
course:
Critical Thinking Skills – to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and
syntheses of information
CT1: Generate and communicate ideas by combining, changing, or reapplying existing information
CT2: Gather and assess information relevant to a question
 CT3: Analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information
Communication Skills – to include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas
through written, oral, and visual communication
CS1: Develop, interpret, and express ideas through written communication
CS2: Develop, interpret, and express ideas through oral communication
CS3: Develop, interpret, and express ideas through visual communication
Empirical and Quantitative Skills – to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or
observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
EQS1: Manipulate and analyze numerical data and arrive at an informed conclusion
EQS2: Manipulate and analyze observable facts and arrive at an informed conclusion
Teamwork – to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others
to support a shared purpose or goal
TW1: Integrate different viewpoints as a member of a team
TW2: Work with others to support and accomplish a shared goal
Personal Responsibility – to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to
ethical decision-making
PR1: Evaluate choices and actions and relate consequences to decision-making
Social Responsibility – to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the
ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
SR1: Demonstrate intercultural competence
SR2: Identify civic responsibility
SR3: Engage in regional, national, and global communities

Instructional Goals and Purposes: The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the complex
field of animal science.

Learning Outcomes:

Lecture:
After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
1. Explain the role of animal agriculture in providing benefits for mankind.
2. Identify common livestock breeds and classes.
3. Define terminology specific to animal science disciplines.
4. Demonstrate understanding of fundamental animal science principles including selection,
reproduction, nutrition, and health.
5. Apply animal science principles by solving common problems.
6. Identify animal issues of interest to society, and related responsibilities.

Lab:
1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize animal science tools to collect and
analyze data and demonstrate methods.
2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions.
3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.
4. Explain the role of animal agriculture in providing benefits for mankind.
5. Identify common livestock breeds and classes.
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 6. Define terminology specific to animal science disciplines.
7. Demonstrate understanding of fundamental animal science principles including selection,
reproduction, nutrition, and health.
8. Apply animal science principles by solving common problems.
9. Identify animal issues of interest to society, and related responsibilities.

Course Content:
Students in all sections of this course will learn the following content:

Lecture Topics
THE PLACE OF ANIMALS AND ANIMAL SCIENCE IN THE LIVES OF HUMANS
Introduction to the Animal Sciences
The Value of Animals to Humanity
Factors Affecting World Agricultural Structure
Worldwide Systems of Agricultural Production
THE ANIMAL INDUSTRIES
Market Coordination in the Beef, Pork, and Poultry Industries
Beef Cattle
Dairy Cattle
Poultry
Swine
Sheep and Goats
Horses
Aquaculture
Pet and Companion Animals
Lamoids
Rabbits
ANIMALS AND SOCIETY
Careers and Career Preparation in the Animal Sciences
Food Safety and Consumer Concerns
Animal Welfare and Animal Rights
Animals in Sustainable Agriculture

Lab Topics

THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

Introduction to Nutrition
The Gastrointestinal Tract and Nutrition
Feedstuffs Classification
Genetics
Animal Breeding
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Animal Reproduction
Lactation
Animal Behavior
Animal Health
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Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery: Content for the course will be delivered using lecture,
textbook content and online instruction. The lecture portion of the course will be online while the lab
portion will meet face-to-face on a weekly basis. Students in traditional, hybrid and internet classes will
have access to courses via Canvas.

Assessment:
The following items will be assigned during the semester and used to calculate the student’s final grade:

● Quizzes and Assignments

o Students will read the required material and complete quizzes and assignments over the
content. The ability to makeup late quizzes and assignments will be determined by the
instructor for a reduced score.
● Tests
o In the online section the midterm and the final will be given in the Testing Center
locations only. Students are only allowed ONE makeup test due to an excused absence
per semester with the approval of the instructor.
● Final Exam
o The Final Exam will be cumulative. In the online section the Final will be given in the
Testing Center locations only.

Course Grade:
The grading scale for this course is as follows:

● Quizzes and Assignments – 25%

● Tests – 50%

● Final Exam – 25%

Lecture 60% + Lab 40% = Final Grade 100%

Grading Notes:

Missed Exams: Missed exams due to an excused absence should be scheduled with the instructor
within one week of the missed exam.  It is the responsibility of the student to reschedule the makeup with
the instructor. The Instructor reserves the right to change the test format of any makeup.  

In the event of an unexcused absence on the day of a quiz or exam the student will not be able to make
up the exam.

You will only be able to make up ONE exam due to an excused absence. If you miss more than one exam
for any reason you will not be able to make it up.

NO MAKEUP WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED DURING FINALS WEEK

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Missed Quizzes and Assignments: Missed quizzes and assignments due to an excused absence
should be rescheduled within one week of the scheduled quiz or a date assigned by the Instructor. It is
the responsibility of the student to reschedule makeup quizzes. The Instructor reserves the right to
change the test format of the makeup quiz.  

Late work for an unexcused absence: There will be a 10 point reduction in the score if the assignment is
turned in after the listed due date and time.  (Example:  The assignment is due at 1 pm and you submit it
at 4 pm you will receive a 10 point deduction from the original score.)  There will also be a 10 point
deduction for everyday the assignment is late.  (Example: If you turn the assignment in 3 days late you
will receive a 30 point deduction from your original score.)

NO MAKEUP WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED DURING FINALS WEEK

Attendance: Attendance is based on the student missing no more than 10% out of the semester without
proof of an excused absence. After the 10% the instructor may withdraw the student at their discretion.
Any student thirty or more minutes late will be counted absent.  Students that leave before class is
dismissed will be counted absent.  

You will also be expected to show up to class on time each day!  After accumulating three tardies, each
tardy will count as an unexcused absence.        

Excused absences are those due to a pre-approved school sponsored trip, a death in the family
(you will need a funeral pamphlet) or a sickness (in which case a doctor’s note is required).

For face-to-face classes that meet once a week:

Attendance will be mandatory.  Roll will be taken at the beginning of every class.  At the end of the
semester, any student who has two unexcused absences will be penalized one letter grade.  If a
student accumulates three or more unexcused absences, the grade for the class will be an automatic
“F”.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism shall be defined as appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift or obtaining by any
other means, another person’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s
own written work. All papers submitted to Canvas will be scanned with turnitin.com and the instructor
reserves the right to dock points based on the results.  

Cheating: Cheating on a test shall include:

a. Copying from another student’s test

b. Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test

c. Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test
administrator

d. Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an
unadministered test.  

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e. The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the unadministered
test.

f. Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.

g. Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test.
Absolutely no cheating is tolerated.

Cheating in this course will not be tolerated and will result in an “F” for the course.

  
Class Conduct: All cell phones should be turned off and put away in all classes. If you must receive a
call notify your instructor before class begins and step out of the classroom. The use of cell phones
(texting, calls, internet, ect.) during class will result in 5 points being taken from the students Test grade
for every offense.  
Asking of questions and discussion of relevant information in and outside class is highly encouraged;
however, talking to neighbors, texting, sleeping, foul language or studying for other courses during class
time will not be tolerated.

Grading Scale A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=59 and below

A student that chooses to NOT finish the course must complete the withdrawal procedure in the Student
Success office in order to receive a ―W.‖ Otherwise, the student will receive a grade at the end
of the semester commensurate with the work completed.
Students needing special classroom or testing accommodations because of physical or learning
disabilities must contact the Student Success office before these services will be made available
in the classroom.

Texts, Materials, and Supplies:

Textbook:
Damron, W. S. (2018). Introduction to animal science: Global, biological, social, and industry perspectives
(6th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-443605-0

• You will need to purchase the textbook as everything we do (lectures, exams, quizzes,
assignments, etc.) will come directly from the book.

Required Readings:
• The Textbook
• Other readings and videos as posted on Canvas

Other:
● Courses conducted via video conferencing may be recorded and shared for instructional
purposes by the instructor.
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● For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings:
https://www.panolacollegestore.com
● For testing services, use the following link:
https://www.panola.edu/student-services/student-support/academic-testing-center
● If any student in this class has special classroom or testing needs because of a physical learning
or emotional condition, please contact the ADA Student Coordinator in Support Services located
in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center or go to
https://www.panola.edu/student-services/student-support/disability-support-services for more
information.
● Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and
who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
● Student Handbook, The Pathfinder: https://www.panola.edu/ (located at the bottom under
students)