From Lab Coats to Livestock: Explore the Boundless Opportunities in Animal Sciences
Immerse yourself in the complexities of commodity marketing, animal reproduction, nutrition, and health. From wildlife management to navigating agricultural law, each step of the way promises adventure and growth, preparing you for a future brimming with possibilities in the agricultural landscape!
Program location
Skills you'll learn
Leadership in Agriculture: Throughout the program, students develop leadership skills essential for managing agricultural projects effectively.
Marketing and Sales Techniques: Courses such as Agricultural Selling and Commodity Marketing equip students with the knowledge and strategies needed to promote agricultural products and navigate agricultural markets.
Animal Husbandry and Health: Through courses like Beef Cattle Science, Swine Science, Animal Reproduction, and Animal Health, students gain experience and knowledge in caring for and managing the health of various livestock species.
Problem-solving and Critical Thinking: Engaging with topics such as Crop Science, Soil Science, Wildlife Management, and Conflict Resolution in the Workplace hones students' ability to analyze complex agricultural issues and create innovative solutions.
Communication and Presentation Skills: Courses like Public Speaking, Composition I, and Career Seminar focus on developing students' abilities to communicate effectively, both in written and oral formats, essential for success in the agricultural industry.
Key classes
- Introduction to Agriculture Markets
- Career Seminar
- Beef Cattle Science
- Swine Science
- Animal Reproduction
Where this degree can take you
- Livestock Manager
- Animal Nutritionist
- Livestock Sales Representative
- Animal Welfare Inspector
- Research Assistant
- Animal Care Technician
Industry Partners
- JJ Nichting
- Chem Gro, Inc.
- Iowa Farm Bureau
Contact Us
West Burlington Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 208-5155
Text: (319) 250-7144
Email: admissionswb@scciowa.edu
Keokuk Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 313-1923
Text: (319) 220-3266
Email: admissionskeo@scciowa.edu
The Animal Science Pathway equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter a career in animal
science. Students will learn about various livestock species, business principles
related to livestock production, animal health, animal nutrition, animal husbandry,
among many other related topics. Students will complete two internship experiences
where they will be able to apply their
knowledge and gain extensive experience and skills.
Students will take four credits of AGB-104 or HUM-287. In Spring II, students will complete two of the three courses in the agriculture course option listing.
The Agriculture Certificate is awarded after successful completion of first semester courses.
The Agriculture Diploma is awarded after successful completion of the first two semesters.
Summary Sheet
The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.
Curriculum Sequence
| Fall Semester I | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| AGB-336 | Agricultural Selling | 3 |
| AGB-330 | Farm Business Management | 3 |
| AGA-181 | Introduction to Crop Science | 3 |
| AGB-235 | Introduction to Agriculture Markets | 3 |
| AGS-113 | Survey of the Animal Industry | 3 |
| AGB-104 | Leadership in Agriculture | 1 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 16 |
| Spring Semester I | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| AGB-104 | Leadership in Agriculture | 1 |
| AGA-182 | Introduction to Soil Science | 3 |
| AGC-216 | Career Seminar | 2 |
| AGS-226 | Beef Cattle Science | 3 |
| PSY-102 | Human and Work Relations | 3 |
| MAT-702 | Introduction to Math Applications | 3 |
| AGS-225 | Swine Science | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 18 |
| Summer Semester I | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| AGC-936 | Occupational Experience | 3 |
| ENG-105 | Composition I | 3 |
| SPC-112 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 9 |
| Fall Semester II | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| AGB-104 | Leadership in Agriculture | 1 |
| AGB-437 | Commodity Marketing | 3 |
| AGC-936 | Occupational Experience | 3 |
| AGS-331 | Animal Reproduction (online) | 3 |
| AGS-319 | Animal Nutrition (online) | 3 |
| SOC-115 | Social Problems | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 16 |
| Spring Semester II | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| AGC-420 | Issues in Agriculture | 3 |
| AGB-451 | Agricultural Law | 3 |
| AGN-244 | Wildlife Management | 3 |
| AGS-242 | Animal Health (online) | 3 |
| SOC-114 | Conflict Resolution in the Workplace | 3 |
| AGB-104 | Leadership in Agriculture | 1 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 16 |
AGB-336 - Agricultural Selling
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Students will gain the necessary knowledge and the techniques of selling agriculture products directly to producers. Included is knowledge of the buying process, communication skills and other factors that are beneficial in building relationships with customers.
AGB-330 - Farm Business Management
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Applies business and economic principles of decision making and problem solving in the management of a farm business. Covers cash flow, partial, enterprise and whole farm budgeting. Reviews information systems for farm accounting, analysis and control. Examines obtaining and managing land, capital and labor resources. Provides alternatives for farm business organization and risk management.
AGA-181 - Introduction to Crop Science
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Basic structure and function of plants, origin and classification, growth and development. Fundamentals of photosynthesis, plant water use, plant nutrition and genetics that regulate plant growth, development and responses to the environment.
AGB-235 - Introduction to Agriculture Markets
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Presents basic concepts and economics principles related to markets for agricultural inputs and products. Reviews current marketing problems faced by farms and agribusinesses, farm and retail price behavior, structure of markets, food marketing channels, food quality and food safety and the role of agriculture in the general economy. Analyzes the implications of consumer preferences at the farm level. Introduces hedging, futures and other risk management tools.
AGS-113 - Survey of the Animal Industry
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Course studies ways domestic animals serve the basic needs of humans for food, shelter, protection, fuel and emotional well-being. Terminology, basic structures of the industries surrounding the production, care and marketing of domestic animals in the U.S. will also be studied.
AGB-104 - Leadership in Agriculture
|
Lecture: 1 |
Credit: 1 |
The course equips students with the tools needed to become effective leaders in their community and in the agricultural industry. Students will learn how their personal leadership skills and styles prepare them to become leaders in their careers and like-minded organizations.
AGB-104 - Leadership in Agriculture
|
Lecture: 1 |
Credit: 1 |
The course equips students with the tools needed to become effective leaders in their community and in the agricultural industry. Students will learn how their personal leadership skills and styles prepare them to become leaders in their careers and like-minded organizations.
AGA-182 - Introduction to Soil Science
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Introduce students to the mysterious world of soils. It is designed for students in agriculture and related sciences. The course provides a broad viewpoint to match the varied backgrounds and interest of students. Its coverage is made so broad to meet the needs of students who will take only one course in soils, as well as those who will use it as a base for more advanced study of specialized areas in soil science.
AGC-216 - Career Seminar
|
Lecture: 2 |
Credit: 2 |
This course is designed to help students explore and discover the many opportunities that are available in the profession of agriculture and related industries both nationally and internationally.
AGS-226 - Beef Cattle Science
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Introduces principles, practices and decisions impacting beef cattle production.
PSY-102 - Human and Work Relations
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This is a course that includes the understanding of the applications of psychological principles, theory and research related to the work setting.
MAT-702 - Introduction to Math Applications
|
Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 3 |
This course is offered to students who can profit from an applied course in mathematics and will prepare students who need to develop skills for MAT-704. It is designed as an introductory level algebra course recommended for students with one year of high school algebra. Emphasis is on the building of basic algebra skills and the application of these mathematical techniques. The course studies the relationship of geometry and algebra as they apply to various fields. This course will also cover whole numbers/decimals, integers, fractions/percents, direct measurement, basic geometric concepts/relationships, linear equations and right-triangle trigonometry. Prerequisite: MAT-052 or meet minimum placement testing requirements.
AGS-225 - Swine Science
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Introduces principles, practices and decisions impacting swine production.
AGC-936 - Occupational Experience
|
On Job Training: 12 |
Credit: 3 |
An "on-the-job" experience at a local business. The business will provide a training sponsor in cooperation with an instructor/coordinator from the college staff. Hands-on experience in observing and demonstrating the knowledge and skills developed in the classroom. Course may be repeated once for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
ENG-105 - Composition I
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
A study of the principles of writing. Emphasis on rhetoric, mechanics and development of expository patterns: narration, description illustration, comparison/contrast, classification, process and cause/effect. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: Meet minimum test score requirements.
SPC-112 - Public Speaking
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery and audience analysis.
AGB-104 - Leadership in Agriculture
|
Lecture: 1 |
Credit: 1 |
The course equips students with the tools needed to become effective leaders in their community and in the agricultural industry. Students will learn how their personal leadership skills and styles prepare them to become leaders in their careers and like-minded organizations.
AGB-437 - Commodity Marketing
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Commodity Marketing examines basis, fundamental and technical price analysis, commodity futures, futures options, alternative cash contracts, sources and uses of marketing information and relevant agricultural marketing strategies.
AGC-936 - Occupational Experience
|
On Job Training: 12 |
Credit: 3 |
An "on-the-job" experience at a local business. The business will provide a training sponsor in cooperation with an instructor/coordinator from the college staff. Hands-on experience in observing and demonstrating the knowledge and skills developed in the classroom. Course may be repeated once for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
AGS-331 - Animal Reproduction (online)
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This course is presented with the agriculture student in mind. The first unit, Physiology, addresses cellular digestion, reproduction, genetics and ecology. The second unit, Applications, teaches the practical application of animal science. The third unit instructs students in the interpretation of performance data for judging and evaluating livestock.
AGS-319 - Animal Nutrition (online)
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
A course in basic animal nutrition for swine and beef cattle. Feed utilization for maintenance/growth, reproduction and lactation is discussed. The formulation of rations on both a nutritional and economic basis as well as the substitution of ingredients will be covered.
SOC-115 - Social Problems
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
An investigation into a selection of social problems involving alternative solutions. Topics may include drug and alcohol abuse, crime, violence, prejudice and discrimination, and human sexuality.
AGC-420 - Issues in Agriculture
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This course provides students the opportunity to collect, discuss, interpret, and defend current economic, environmental and social issues that affect the production of agricultural commodities.
AGB-451 - Agricultural Law
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This course explores the body of federal and state laws and regulations governing agriculture-related operations. The course specifically addresses legal issues that students will likely face in agriculture-related careers. The course pulls from a wide body of substantive law, including case law, statutory law and administrative law. A primary focus of the course will be to review the legal framework governing agriculture-related decision-making by firms, families and individuals from a real-world perspective. The course begins with a general review of the legal system and instruction on how to find legal materials as it pertains to the agricultural industry.
AGN-244 - Wildlife Management
|
Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 3 |
Students learn proper wildlife management through carefully planned and maintained reserves, preserves and refuges. Management techniques presented include those for game, non-game and aquatic animals.
AGS-242 - Animal Health (online)
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Provides information about the cause, nature, prevention and treatment of common health problems of farm animals. Identifies animal behavior and developing a herd health program.
SOC-114 - Conflict Resolution in the Workplace
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Conflict Resolution in the Workplace will study conflict resolution theories and applications in the workplace. The course will provide students with the opportunity to develop their own effective interpersonal conflict resolution skills as well as skills needed to help employees resolve their conflicts with one another and the skills needed to negotiate contracts. Students will also be introduced to theories and skills needed to apply culturally sensitive principles to conflict resolution.
AGB-104 - Leadership in Agriculture
|
Lecture: 1 |
Credit: 1 |
The course equips students with the tools needed to become effective leaders in their community and in the agricultural industry. Students will learn how their personal leadership skills and styles prepare them to become leaders in their careers and like-minded organizations.
Sabrina Pidgeon - Associate Professor - Agriculture Management
Email: spidgeon@scciowa.edu
AA, Indian Hills Community College
AS, Indian Hills Community College
BS, Iowa State University
MA, Iowa Wesleyan University
Adam Raub - Professor - Agriculture
Email: araub@scciowa.edu
BS, Western Illinois University
MBA, St. Ambrose University