Department of Animal Science

The Department of Animal Science and the Institute of Agricultural Technology offer students a career choice in vocational education. Program areas coordinated in ANS include dairy and horse management and livestock industries. These programs are designed to meet the needs of students who choose to make production agriculture a career and are interested in on-farm application of knowledge. Courses are animal oriented and are taught with a "hands-on" philosophy in most of the instruction. Agricultural Technology programs are 12 to 18 months in length. They involve 2-3 semesters on campus taking courses in the program area. With 2 to 3 semesters of course work, students are encouraged/required to participate in placement training, on cooperating farms. These internships allow Ag Tech students to gain the experience they need on a working farm. Students may enroll for up to 6 credits and 6 months of placement training under the supervision of faculty from ANS.

Students enrolled in Animal Science Ag Tech programs receive all services available to students at the University, including intramural and university sports, financial aid, housing, and are encouraged to participate in student clubs within the department and college.

Institute of Agricultural Technology website

Certificate programs are available in three animal-related areas.

⇒ Course Descriptions

Dairy Management

Because dairy farming is the leading agricultural enterprise in Michigan, the dairy program has been developed to meet the specialized needs of the herd manager and commercial dairy farmer. Opportunities abound for persons with the combination of classroom training in the areas of dairy husbandry, nutrition, artificial insemination, crops, farm management and the practical experience that may be obtained on any of the many cooperating dairy farms in Michigan and the neighboring states.

Programs of study tailored to meet the individual’s wants and needs are designed around the subject matter areas of agricultural economics, communications, crop and soil sciences and agricultural mechanics. Additionally, students may have the opportunity to secure firsthand experience working with the dairy herd at the Kellogg Biological Station.

Suggested Curriculum

Fall of First Year

ABM 100 - Decision Making in the Agri-Food System (3 credits)

ABM 130 - Farm Management I (3 credits)

ANS 132 - Dairy Farm Management Seminar (1 credit)

ANS 232 - Introduction to Dairy Production (3 credits)

AT 071 - Technical Math (2 credits)

AT 045 - Agriculture Communications (2 credits)

CSS 110 - Microcomputers (2 credits)

Total Credits: 16

Spring of First Year

ANS 235 - Dairy Herd Reproduction (2 credits)

ANS 203 - Principles of Livestock Feeding (2 credits)

ANS 295 - Livestock Structure and Function (2 credits)

ANS 238 - Dairy Health Management (3 credits)

AT 291 - Spanish for Agriculture (2 credits)

AT 293 - Professional Internship in Ag Technology (3 credits)

Total Credits: 14

Fall of Second Year

ABM 225 - Commodity Marketing I (3 credits)

ANS 230 - Dairy Herd Management (3 credits)

ANS 233 - Dairy Feed Management (3 credits)

ANS 215 - Growth, Health and Lactation in Dairy Cattle (2 credits)

CSS 201 - Forage Crops (3 credits)

Total Credits: 14

Electives Credits: 4

Program Total Credits: 48

Horse Management

Horse Management emphasizes management and equine skills that will prepare students for positions in Michigan’s growing horse industry. There are many opportunities for students in the saddle, pleasure and racehorse industry, if they have the proper training in management and production techniques. This program offers the most current training available in these areas.

Students spend one semester on placement training working with professionals in the horse industry. Leaders within the horse industry have been very supportive and are ready and willing to work closely with students.

Suggested Curriculum

Fall of First Year

ANS 145 - Horse Behavior & Welfare (1 credit)

ANS 140 - Fundamentals of Horsemanship (2 credits)

ANS 242 - Introductory Horse Management (3 credits)

ABM 130 - Farm Management I (3 credits)

AT 071 - Technical Math (2 credits)

AT 045 - Agriculture Communications (2 credits)

CSS 110 - Microcomputers (credits)

Total Credits: 15

Spring of First Year

ANS 200D - Introductory Judging Horses (2 credits)

ANS 146 - Fundamentals of Horse Training (2 credits) or

ANS 140 - Horsemanship II Section 002

ANS 147 - Horse Management Placement Seminar (1 credit)

ANS 149 - Horse Management Clerkship at MSU Farm (2 credits)

ANS 203 - Principles of Livestock Feeding (2 credits)

ANS 295 - Livestock Structure and Function (2 credits)

Electives (2-3 credits)

Total Credits: 13- 14

Summer of First Year or Spring of Second Year

AT 293 - Placement Training/Internship (6 credits)

Fall of Second Year

ANS 240 - Horse Farm Management (3 credits)

ANS 243 - Horse Nutrition & Feeding (2 credits)

ANS 245 - Horse Exercise Physiology (2 credits)

ANS 300D - Horse Selection & Judging II (other options) (1-2 credits)

ABM 222 - Agribusiness & Food Industry Sales (other options) (3 credits)

CSS 201 - Forage Crops (other options) (3 credits)

Total Credits: 13-14

Program Total Credits: 48

Livestock Industries

The Livestock Industries certificate program is a three semester program designed to give students a professional advantage in the livestock production career field of their choice. Students are exposed to a broad spectrum of applied course work and hands-on education at the university’s facilities and an extensive industry internship. Students engage with leading professors, researchers, and future professional colleagues in a manner that is directly applicable to a functioning livestock operation and also develop communication skills while bridging the gap between theory and practical best management practices.

Curriculum

All of the Following Courses

ABM 130 - Farm Management I (3 credits) (Semesters: Fall)

ANS 110 - Introductory Animal Agriculture (4 credits) (Semesters: Fall, Spring)

ANS 111 - Livestock Industries Seminar (1 credit) (Semesters: Fall, Spring)

ANS 201 - Animal Products (3 credits) Recommended Background: ANS 110 (Semesters: Fall, Spring)

ANS 203 - Principles of Livestock Feeding (2 credits) Recommended Background: ANS 110 or ANS 222 or ANS 232 or ANS 242 or ANS 272 (Semesters: Spring)

ANS 295 - Structure and Function of Livestock (2 credits) Open to students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. Recommended Background: ANS 110 or ANS 222 or ANS 232 or ANS 242 or ANS 272 (Semesters: Spring)

AT 045 - Agricultural Communications (2 credits) Open only to students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. (Semesters: Fall)

AT 071 - Technical Mathematics (2 credits) Open only to students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. (Semesters: Fall)

AT 293 - Professional Internship in Agricultural Technology (3-6 credits) Open to freshmen or sophomores or agricultural technology students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. (Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer)

CSS 101 - Introduction to Crop Science (3 credits) Open to undergraduate students or agricultural technology students. (Semesters: Fall)

CSS 110 - Computer Applications Agronomy (2 credits) Open to undergraduate students or agricultural technology students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. (Semesters: Fall)

Total Credits

One of the Following Clerkship Courses

ANS 122A - Feedlot Clerkship (2 credits) Open to students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. (Semesters: Fall)

ANS 122B - Beef Cow Calf Clerkship (2 credits) Open to students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. (Semesters: Spring)

ANS 152 - Poultry Production Clerkship (2 credits) Open to students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. (Semesters: Fall)

ANS 162 - Sheep Production Clerkship (2 credits) Open to students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. (Semesters: Spring)

ANS 171 - Swine Clerkship (2 credits) Open to students in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. (Semesters: Fall)

Two of the Following Courses

ANS 222 - Introductory Beef Cattle Management (3 credits) Recommended Background: ANS 110. (Semesters: Spring)

ANS 252 - Introduction to Management of Avian Species (3 credits) (Semesters: Fall - Odd)

ANS 262 - Introductory Sheep Management (3 credits) (Semesters: Spring)

ANS 272 - Introductory Swine Management (3 credits) (Semesters: Spring)

Total Credits: 6

Electives

10 credits – Scheduled in consultation with and approval of the program coordinator. 

Student may complete courses with a prefix of ABM, AE, AEC, AEE, ANR, ANS, AT, CSS, FSC, FIM to fulfill requirement.
** Courses must be approved by program coordinator to fulfill elective requirement. **

Total Credits: 10