Animal Sciences Major
Poultry Science Major
Courses
Animal Sciences Building, 1675 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706; 608/263-4300; www.ansci.wisc.edu
Professors Schaefer (chair), Aberle, Albrecht, Cook, Crenshaw, Gianola, Greaser, Kirkpatrick, Parrish, Reed, Thomas (Ext); Associate Professors Claus; Assistant Professors, Berres, Cezar, Lehmkuhler, (Ext) Richards; Senior Lecturers, Russell, Kean; Instruction/Outreach—Gottfredson (Ext), Sandberg (Ext), O'Rourke (Ext)
The Department of Animal Sciences was formed as the union of the departments of Meat and Animal Science and Poultry Science in 1996. Majors in both animal sciences and poultry science are available.
Courses offered under the animal sciences major teach the principles of genetics, reproduction, nutrition, physiology, and meats for beef cattle, swine, sheep and horses, and their application to research, production and distribution of livestock for food, fiber and recreation. Where appropriate, dogs, cats, other pet species and humans are discussed. This curriculum is useful for any student who wants to learn the basics of applied animal biology. The course work strongly reflects the department faculty's interest in emerging scientific technologies, including such techniques as in vitro embryo production, stem cell technology, immune modulation of growth, nutritional modulation of skeletal growth, secondary plant compounds in animal health, fundamentals of muscle conversion to meat, and the use of gene maps to identify animal traits.
Students completing an undergraduate major in animal sciences under the Agricultural Sciences degree program are certified for the Bachelor of Science-Agricultural Sciences degree; students completing the major in the Natural Sciences program are awarded the Bachelor of Science-Natural Sciences degree. Those completing the major under the International Agriculture and Natural Resources program earn the Bachelor of Science-International Agriculture and Natural Resources degree.
Students majoring in poultry science prepare for careers in four areas, depending on the degree program they choose. The Natural Resources program trains students for work in the environment and conservation of wild birds. Under this program, students are certified for the Bachelor of Science-Natural Resources degree.
The Natural Sciences degree program prepares students for advanced degree work; it also prepares graduates for careers in research and teaching as well as veterinary school. Students completing work under this program receive the Bachelor of Science-Natural Sciences degree.
The Agricultural Sciences degree program provides basic preparation for production and technology phases of the poultry industry, extension, and business management. Students completing the major under this program are certified for the Bachelor of Science-Agricultural Sciences degree. Students with a background in agricultural sciences may find careers in commercial poultry production or with one of the large commercial feed companies, breeders, or processing concerns.
For those interested in a major in international career fields, the International Agriculture and Natural Resources degree program is offered. Students completing a major under this program earn a Bachelor of Science-International Agriculture and Natural Resources degree.
Career opportunities for poultry science graduates may be found in advertising, journalism, marketing, sales, management, and technical services to the poultry industry. The Department of Animal Sciences may be consulted for specific career information and information about courses required for each degree program.
Many courses for the poultry science major are offered only during summer, when students from around the Midwest travel to UW-Madison to take poultry science courses unavailable at their home schools. The course offerings reflect the role of the UW poultry science program as a Midwest Regional Undergraduate Center of Excellence. Faculty from many midwestern universities assist in teaching the summer courses.
101 Livestock Production. (Crosslisted with Dy Sci) I; 4 cr (B-E). Anatomy physiology, nutrition, genetics, reproduction, marketing, meats and management of dairy and beef cattle, swine, sheep, poultry and horses; lectures, laboratories and discussion. Field trips. P: Open to Fr.
200 The Biology and Appreciation of Companion Animals. I, II; 3 cr (B-E). A systematic coverage of many of the animals (including birds) that humans keep as their social companions. The classification, nutritional requirements, environmental considerations, reproductive habits, health, legal aspects and economics of companion animals and their supportive organizations. P: Crse in zoo or equiv or cons inst. Open to Fr.
220 Growth, Composition and Evaluation of Meat Animals. I; 5 cr. Principles and application of objective and subjective techniques for identifying quantitative and qualitative traits associated with breeding animals, market animals and meat. Statistics, growth, anatomy, genetics. Field trips to livestock farms and meat processing plants. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 101 or cons inst.
221 Advanced Meat Animal Evaluation Lab. II; 1 cr. Review and practical application of subjects covered in Animal Sciences 220. Field trips to livestock farms, meat processing plants and to UNC-MAEC, St. Joseph, Mo. P: An Sci 220 & cons inst.
250 Horse Science and Management. II; 3 cr (B-E). General principles. Emphasis on anatomy and physiology, management, behavior, reproduction, health, and nutrition. Lab period offers hands-on learning opportunities and short field trips. Mandatory field trip on a weekend day. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 101 or cons inst. Open to Fr.
289 Honors Independent Study. I, II, SS; 1-2 cr (I). P: Enrolled in the Cals Honors Prgm & So or Jr st. Inter-Ag 288.
299 Independent Study. I, II, SS; 1-3 cr (I). P: Open to Fr, So or Jr st & written cons inst.
305 Introduction to Meat Science and Technology. (Crosslisted with Food Sci) II; 4 cr. Application of biological, technological, and economical principles to muscle and related tissue utilized for food. P: Zool 101 & 102, or Zool 151 & 152 (recommended); Chem 103.
311 Comparative Animal Nutrition. (Crosslisted with Dy Sci, Nutr Sci) II; 3 cr (B-I). Nutrients and their source, assimilation, function and requirement. P: Biochem 201 or Bmolchem 314 or Chem 341 or Chem 343 or cons inst.
313 Animal Feeds and Diet Formulation. (Crosslisted with Dy Sci) II; 1 cr (B-I). Designed as a companion course for Dairy Science 311 (comparative animal nutrition) with emphasis on quantitative and practical aspects of animal feeds and diet formulation. P: Math 112, Dy Sci/An Sci/Nutr Sci 311 or con reg or cons inst.
314 Poultry Nutrition. SS; 3 cr (I). Provides a conceptual understanding of nutrient requirements for optimal growth and production of commercial poultry species. The use of computer programming for feed formulation is emphasized. Field trips are planned. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 101 or Poul Sci 101.
315 Poultry Enterprise Management. SS; 3 cr (D). Fundamental business and economic principles and practices for successful poultry production with emphasis on problem solving in flock management. Software application core programs will be Microsoft Office for Windows suite. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 101 or Poul Sci 101, Ag Econ 215 or Econ 101 or equiv. Open to Fr.
321 Food Laws and Regulations. (Crosslisted with Food Sci) II; 1 cr. Food laws and regulations, regulatory and commercial grading standards used in the food industry. P: Jr st or cons inst.
361 Introduction to Animal and Veterinary Genetics. (Crosslisted with Dy Sci) II; 2 cr. The molecular basis for inheritance of monogenic and polygenic traits related to animal disease and production. An introduction to the principles of improving animal health and performance by selection and mating systems in companion animals, horses, livestock, and poultry. P: Genetics 160 or 466 or con reg & course in statistics.
362 Veterinary Genetics. (Crosslisted with Dy Sci) II; 2 cr. The genetic basis for predisposition to disease or resistance to disease in livestock and companion animal species. Genetic defects, their discovery, diagnosis and treatment. P: Dy Sci/An Sci 361; or Genetics 160 or 466 & Zool/Bot 152.
363 Principles of Animal Breeding. (Crosslisted with Dy Sci) II; 2 cr. Application of the principles of quantitative genetics to the improvement of livestock and poultry; breeding value estimation and selection techniques; effects of inbreeding and hybrid vigor; crossbreeding systems. P: Dy Sci/An Sci 361.
370 Livestock Production and Health in Agricultural Development. (Crosslisted with Dy Sci, Ahabs) I; 3 cr. Physical, biological and social nature of animal agriculture systems and their improvement in developing countries; analysis of the state of livestock research and development in the developing countries and the world role of U.S. animal agriculture. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 101 or cons inst.
375 Special Topics. I, II, SS; 1-4 cr (I). P: Cons inst.
399 Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education. I, II, SS; 1-8 cr (A). P: So or Jr or Sr st & cons of supervising inst, advisor, and internship program coordinator.
404 Vertebrate Physiology. (Crosslisted with Comp Bio) II; 4 cr. Focus will be on neuroendocrine regulation and integration of vertebrate physiological systems (e.g., neuromuscular, cardiorespiratory, renal). Lab experiments on animal tissues will reinforce physiological principles; students will develop hypotheses, design and perform experiments, analyze data, and present findings. P: Zool 101 & 102 or Zool 151 & 152. 1 yr physics & 1 yr organic chem recommended.
414 Ruminant Nutrition. (Crosslisted with Dy Sci) I; 2 cr (B-I). Integrates basic nutrition concepts and ration balancing skills by teaching students to balance and trouble shoot rations for various domesticated ruminants. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 311 & 313.
415 Application of Monogastric Nutrition Principles. Alt yrs.; II; 2 cr. Nutrient requirements for growth and production of monogastric animals. Discuss concepts of establishing nutrient requirements and feeding strategies. Laboratory exercises are designed to develop problem solving skills required for the assessment of nutritional adequacy and economical soundness of feeding programs. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 311 & 313.
430 Sheep Production. II; 3 cr. Application of recent research in breeding, feeding, health, and management to develop an efficient sheep production system. Includes an active, hands-on laboratory working with sheep. P: Jr st & An Sci/Dy Sci 101, An Sci/Ahabs 301, An Sci/Dy Sci/Nutr Sci 311 & An Sci/Dy Sci 360 or cons inst. An Sci/Dy Sci 313 highly recommended. An Sci/Dy Sci 434.
431 Beef Cattle Production. I; 3 cr. Application of genetics, systems of mating, physiology, nutrition and economics to the production of beef. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 101, An Sci/Ahabs 301, An Sci/Dy Sci/Nutr Sci 311 & An Sci/Dy Sci 360 or cons inst. An Sci/Dy Sci 313 highly recommended. An Sci/Dy Sci 434.
432 Swine Production. II; 3 cr. Application of research findings in breeding, feeding, management and marketing to modernize production. Lab: Farm visits, practical exercises in testing changes, "tools" used by producers. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 101, An Sci/Ahabs 301, An Sci/Dy Sci/Nutr Sci 311 & An Sci/Dy Sci 360 or cons inst. An Sci/Dy Sci 313 highly recommended. An Sci/Dy Sci 434.
434 Reproductive Physiology. (Crosslisted with Dy Sci) I; 3 cr (B-I). Principles of reproductive physiology, improvement of fertility, and artificial insemination. P: Jr st, An Sci/Dy Sci 101, or Zool 101 & 102; Zool 151 & 152 recommended.
435 Animal Sciences Proseminar. I; 2 cr. Methods of assessing information quality are studied. Each student develops an analytical and critical seminar on a topic of personal interest in the animal sciences. P: Sr st.
468 Managing the Environmental Impacts of Livestock Operations. (Crosslisted with Dy Sci, Soil Sci, Envir St) II; 2 cr. Introduces nonpoint pollution policies and regulations and environmental losses impacting air and water quality. Discuss management practices that influence the cycling and balance of nitrogen and phosphorus across a farm and its components (livestock, crop and soil). P: Jr st.
503 Avian Physiology. SS; 3 cr (B-I). Principles of organ and system function with emphasis on male and female reproduction, embryonic development and factors affecting hatchability. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 101 or cons inst.
505 Rumen Microbiology. (Crosslisted with Microbio, Dy Sci) Alt yrs.; II; 2 cr (D). Analysis of rumen ecosystem in terms of kinds of microbes, their activities and requirements and their interactions in a dynamic system. Emphasis on physiological and biochemical perspectives. P: Biochem 501 and con reg in Bact 550 or equiv; or cons inst.
508 Poultry Products Technology. SS; 3 cr. Procurement, processing and distribution of poultry meat, eggs and derived products; factors affecting quality, including methods of determining quality. P: Cons inst.
511 Breeder Flock and Hatchery Management. SS; 3 cr. History of artificial incubation relevant to the U.S. hatching industry. Practices involved in successful incubation of hatching eggs. Embryonic development in birds. Management factors involved in breeder hen production and operating a hatchery. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 101 & Zool 101 & 102 or Zool 151 or equiv.
512 Management for Avian Health. SS; 3 cr. The occurrence, etiology, clinical signs, control and prevention of infectious and noninfectious diseases commonly affecting domestically reared poultry. Instruction in avian necropsy, zoonosis, sanitation and regulation. P: An Sci/Dy Sci 101 & Zool 101 & 102 or Zool 151 or cons inst.
515 Commercial Meat Processing. (Crosslisted with Food Sci) I; 2 cr. Principles and procedures in the commercial manufacture of processed meat products; sausage manufacturing, curing, smoking, freezing and packaging. P: An Sci 305 or Food Sci 410 or cons inst. Zool 101 & 102, or Zool 151 & 152 (recommended); Chem 103.
520 Ornithology. (Crosslisted with Zoology) II; 3 cr (B-I). Comprehensive introduction to bird biology with emphasis on evolution, ecology, and behavior. Topics include the evolutionary origin of birds and flight, anatomy and physiology, functional morphology, feather structure, flight mechanics, migration, visual and audile communication, and reproductive strategies. P: 2 semesters of biological science.
521 Birds of Southern Wisconsin. (Crosslisted with Zoology) II; 3 cr (B-I). Outdoor labs and indoor lectures emphasizing visual and audile identification of southern Wisconsin birds. Saturday field trips throughout Wisconsin. P: 2 sem of biological sci.
610 Quantitative Genetics. (Crosslisted with Genetics) I; 3 cr (B-A). An advanced approach with emphasis on statistical foundations. Classical theory with extensions to maternal and paternal effects. Selection theory is considered in depth. P: Genetics 466 and Statistics 572 or cons inst.
626 Experimental Diet Design. (Crosslisted with Nutr Sci) I; 1 cr. Discuss nutrient requirements, composition of ingredients used to meet requirements and the mathematical steps involved in diet formulation with emphasis on research animals and human subjects. P: Grad st; Stat 301 or equiv & Nutr Sci 510 or con reg or cons inst.
660 Electron Microscopy: Theory & Practice. (Crosslisted with Anatomy, Ahabs) Even yrs.; SS; 3 cr. P: Cons inst.
681 Senior Honor Thesis. I, II, SS; 2-4 cr. P: Honors program candidacy.
682 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II, SS; 2-4 cr (A). Continuation of 681. P: Honors program candidacy & An Sci 681.
699 Special Problems. I, II, SS; 1-3 cr (A). P: Sr st and cons inst.