Animal Science Major: Dairy Management Option (B.S.)
Program Overview
The Animal Science Major: Dairy Management Option (B.S.) equips students with comprehensive knowledge and skills in dairy management, preparing them for careers in dairy enterprises, related agribusinesses, or further education in dairy science. The program emphasizes nutrition, reproduction, genetics, and business management, and provides hands-on experiences through internships and research projects. Graduates are well-prepared for successful careers in the dairy industry and related fields.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Animal Science Major: Dairy Management Option (B.S.) is designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and skills in dairy management for successful careers in dairy enterprises, related agribusinesses (including pharmaceutical and feed industries), or further education leading to advanced degrees in dairy science or related disciplines.
Objectives:
- Provide a solid foundation in areas crucial for effective dairy management, including nutrition, reproduction, diseases, genetics, lactation physiology, forages, agribusiness finance, personnel management, computer science, and public relations.
- Prepare students for graduate study in dairy science or related fields.
- Develop students' abilities to manage dairy enterprises successfully.
Outline:
Content and Structure:
The program encompasses a comprehensive curriculum covering the following topics:
- Foundation Courses: Introductory Biology, General Chemistry, Applied Biostatistics, General Microbiology
- Required Courses for All Animal Science/Dairy Management Option Majors: Introduction to Dairy Herd Management, Fundamentals of Animal Health, Careers in Animal Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Technical Writing in Animal Sciences, Principles of Animal Nutrition, Genetics of Animals
- Dairy Management Option Specific Courses: Dairy Selection, Introduction to Forage and Grassland Management, Animal Rights and Societal Issues, Animal Health Applications, Dairy Industry Travel Course, Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM), Dairy Nutrition, Physiology of Lactation, Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination, Advanced Dairy Management I & II
Course Schedule:
A sample student schedule by semester is provided:
First Year:
- Fall: Introduction to Dairy Herd Management, Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular, General Chemistry I, Environmental and Resource Economics Perspectives (or First-Year Writing)
- Spring: Dairy Selection, Careers in Animal Science, Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology, General Chemistry II, Environmental and Resource Economics Perspectives (or First-Year Writing)
Second Year:
- Fall: Introduction to Forage and Grassland Management, Anatomy and Physiology, Genetics of Animals, Dairy Industry Travel Course, Discovery course
- Spring: Fundamentals of Animal Health, Anatomy and Physiology, Technical Writing in Animal Sciences, Applied Biostatistics I, Discovery course
Third Year:
- Fall: Animal Diseases, Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM), General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory, Discovery course
- Spring: Principles of Animal Nutrition, Animal Health Applications, Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM), Biological Chemistry
Fourth Year:
- Fall: Physiology of Lactation (or Discovery course), Advanced Dairy Management I, Discovery course, Elective
- Spring: Animal Rights and Societal Issues, Dairy Nutrition, Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination (or Discovery course), Advanced Dairy Management II (WI, capstone)
Assessment:
The program utilizes various assessment methods to evaluate student learning and progress, including:
- Exams (midterms, finals)
- Quizzes
- Homework assignments
- Projects
- Presentations
- Capstone projects
Teaching:
The program is taught by experienced faculty members with expertise in dairy management and related disciplines. The teaching approaches include:
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Laboratories
- Field trips
- Hands-on practical experiences The program also provides opportunities for students to participate in internships and research projects.
Careers:
The program prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities in dairy management, including:
- Dairy farm management
- Dairy industry sales and marketing
- Dairy product development
- Dairy research
- Animal health and nutrition
- Agribusiness management