AN SC - Animal Science

An orientation to current issues and challenges related to animal health and disease in a global context. An interdisciplinary overview of the role and importance of animal health in modern society and its relationship to agriculture, food safety and human health. Causes of disease and the principles of maintaining healthy animals. The history and development of animal health professions and their roles. Not to be taken if credit received for AN SC 375. Prerequisite: Biology 30.

Principles and practices of modern animal production and management. Brief introduction to the structure of the livestock, poultry, and game ranching industries. Principles of animal management, breeding and feeding. Current issues in animal agriculture. Students gain direct experience with animals in production/research environments. Not to be taken if credit received for AN SC 200. Prerequisite: Biology 30.

Diverse and evolving roles of companion animals in human society. Pets and the companion animal industry. Topics include: behavior, cognition and training; breeds and breeding; performance; nutrition, health and physiology. Prerequisite: Biology 30.

Hands-on internship with food production animals. Students will develop skills in animal husbandry practices and record keeping. Pre- or co-requisite: ANSC 101 and consent of instructor.

Function, metabolism, homeostasis, requirements and sources of nutrients and energy for animals. Laboratory will involve principles of diet formulation. Prerequisite: 3 units in BIOL or 3 units in CHEM.

Fundamental principles of regulation and maintenance of the internal environment. Includes a review of mechanisms providing for homeorrhesis and well-being of domestic animals in response to changes in the external environment (e.g., light, temperature, social). Prerequisites: BIOL 107 and 6 units in university-level chemistry.

The physiological basis of the metabolic processes in domestic animals. Includes a review of the physiological mechanisms and neuroendocrine regulation of digestion, metabolism, growth and lactation. Prerequisite: AN SC 310.

The physiological basis of reproduction, fertility and embryonic development in domestic animals in relation to animal productivity. The study of the physiological mechanisms regulating gonadal function, fertilization, implantation, pregnancy and parturition as well as the physiological basis for sound reproductive management. Prerequisite: AN SC 310.

Fundamentals of interactions between microorganisms and animals and how these interactions integrate with animal production and improvement of animal health. Emphasis on the evolution and ecology of the microbial inhabitants with the host and the underlying molecular mechanisms of the host microbial interactions. Pre- or corequisite: MICRB 265 or BIOL 207.

Concepts of growth and development applied to meat production from farm livestock. Form and function of bone, muscle and fat. Livestock and carcass appraisal. Prerequisite: AN SC 101 or 200 or 3 units in BIOL.

An in-depth study of equine anatomy, physiology, husbandry and diseases, both infectious and non-infectious. Equine nutrition, behaviour and the horse industry will also be examined. Not to be taken if credit received for AN SC 110. Prerequisite: 30 units or (BIOL 107 and BIOL 108)

Principles of maintaining healthy animals, and an examination of current issues related to animal health and disease. Infectious and non-infectious diseases that affect both animal and human health and may impact international trade and export. Principles and mechanisms of immunity, disease surveillance, pathophysiology, treatment, prevention, management and economic impact of specific diseases and risks of bioterrorism. Prerequisite: 3 units of AN SC 100, AN SC 101, or ANSC 200 or consent of instructor. AN SC 310 or PHYSL 210 or (ZOOL 241 and 242) are recommended.

An overview of animal welfare as it relates to both food and companion animals. Discussion of the scientific and ethical components that underlie our evaluation of the quality of life that animals experience. Prerequisite: (AN SC 101 or 200) or (3 units in biology and consent of instructor) and 60 units.

Basic behaviour principles for food animal species including their application in livestock production systems. Fundamentals of experimental research and design in applied ethology. Prerequisite: AN SC 101 or 200 or consent of instructor and 60 units.

Basic behaviour principles for companion animal species such as dogs, cats, and horses, including application of fundamental training and learning techniques to resolve common behaviour problems. Prerequisite: AN SC 100, PSYCH 104 and 60 units.

An introduction to the basic principles of animal genetics and their practical application in selection strategies, breeding systems, and methods of improvement for domestic animals. Prerequisites: BIOL 207 and AN SC 101 or consent of instructor.

Project or reading course supervised by a Faculty member, requiring preparation of a comprehensive report. Prerequisites: Third year standing or higher and consent of Department. Note: May be taken more than once if topic is different.

Study of basic physiological mechanisms involved in the control of reproduction in domesticated animals as a basis for developing practical approaches for the regulation of reproductive processes. Prerequisite: AN SC 312 or consent of Instructor.

Application of immunological principles to the understanding of animal health and disease with a focus on livestock and companion animals. Students will apply a broad understanding of host-pathogen interactions and the basic mechanisms of disease progression to assess the short and long-term impact of pathogenesis to the health of animals, their caretakers, and consumers. Lectures will be followed by active discussion of selected readings. Prerequisite: IMIN 200 or AN SC 375.

The conversion of muscle to meat in livestock and poultry: definitions and measurement of carcass and meat quality; influences of pre- and post-slaughter factors on carcass and meat quality. The lab will consist of a two day field trip during Reading Week. Prerequisite: 3 units in BIOCH, AN SC 320, or consent of instructor.

Integration of theory and practical concepts in ruminant nutrition, digestion and metabolism through topics such as energy flow in ruminants, protein systems and net feed efficiency. Laboratories will involve formulation of rations for various physiological states of beef and dairy cattle, economical rations, feed mixes, protein systems (degradable and undegradable protein systems) and net feed efficiency formulations. Prerequisite: AN SC 260 or 3 units in NUTR.

Nutrient utilization and requirements, feed ingredients and applied feeding programs for poultry and swine. Feed formulation strategies and current topics in poultry and swine nutrition will be discussed in detail. Not to be taken if credit received for AN SC 463. Prerequisite: AN SC 260, 3 units in NUTR, or 3 units in NU FS 305. Corequisite: AN SC 311 or 6 units in PHYSL.

Aimed at fourth year undergraduate students with an interest in companion animal nutrition. The course will focus on nutrient utilization and requirements of dogs, cats, and horses. Other companion animal species (mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, etc.) will also be covered. Current issues in pet food nutrition and manufacture will be discussed. Prerequisite: AN SC 260, 3 units in NUTR or 3 units in NU FS 305.

Study of avian anatomy, physiology, behavior, and health as it relates to modern poultry production. Current management practices to optimize production efficiency and animal well-being are examined. Prerequisites: (AN SC 101 or 200), AN SC 260 and AN SC 310.

Examination of the structure of the dairy industry, evaluation of management practices to optimize production efficiency and animal well-being, and integration of nutritional, physiological, and biochemical processes involved in production of quality milk. Laboratories emphasize practical applications, field trips, and discussion. Prerequisite: (AN SC 101 or 200), AN SC 260 and 310, or consent of instructor.

A team-based capstone course to train students to participate in the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge programs held in the US or equivalent local programs. Students will work in groups to gain integrative and experiential learning and develop skills related to comprehensive evaluation of dairy operations and consulting presentation. Prerequisite: AN SC 472 or consent of instructor.

Examination of current and potential future production and management practices to optimize production efficiency and animal well-being in the Canadian and international beef industry. Laboratories emphasize practical applications, field trips, and discussion. Prerequisites: (AN SC 101 or 200), AN SC 260 and AN SC 310.

Evaluation of swine breeding, feeding, housing management, and disease prevention practices that optimize production efficiency and animal well-being. Laboratories involve analysis of production practices with a view to optimizing efficiency. Prerequisites: (AN SC 101 or 200), AN SC 260 and AN SC 310.

Application of genetic/genomic principles and methods to the improvement of livestock and poultry. Prerequisite: AN SC 384 or consent of instructor.

An advanced course aimed at fourth year undergraduate students with an interest in using animal nutrition to solve animal health problems. The course will focus on problems that are associated with animal longevity, mortality and morbidity and will translate research findings into nutrition recommendations. Prerequisite: AN SC 461 or AN SC 464; or corequisite AN SC 462.

Exploration of research methods and measures; critical appraisal of research on the human-animal bond; application of research findings to the improvement of human and animal welfare. Students will conduct library and empirical research in the laboratory component. Prerequisites: AN SC 378 or (90 units and consent of instructor).

A team-based capstone course exploring broad areas of animal health or animal science. Students will work in groups with mentors on a project involving experiential learning and skill development related to the field. Credit cannot be obtained in both AN SC 499 and AN SC 479.