Poultry Science — Poultry Production Option (POPP)

Program Overview

The Poultry Production Option (POPP) is a four-year program that equips students with the technical, analytical, communication, business, and management skills necessary for leadership roles in the poultry production industry. Graduates are prepared for careers in management, technical, and business roles, as well as government and regulatory agencies. The program emphasizes modern poultry production systems, scientific principles, effective communication, ethical considerations, and lifelong learning.

Program Outline

Outline:

Content:

The Poultry Production Option (POPP) focuses on developing the technical, analytical, communication, business, and management skills required for leadership positions within poultry production and related agricultural industries. Graduates integrate their knowledge of science, economics, business, and ethics to address modern poultry production challenges responsibly. Additionally, the option incorporates relevant courses in poultry processing, products, and business.

Structure:

• The program spans four years, comprising eight semesters.
• Each semester includes a combination of core and elective courses.
• Core courses cover fundamental knowledge in various areas, including chemistry, biology, poultry science, economics, business, communication, and ethics.
• Elective courses allow students to tailor their studies toward specific interests within the poultry production field.
• The program culminates in a Poultry Science internship, providing real-world experience and professional development opportunities.

Module Descriptions:

• Freshman Year: Introduces students to fundamental concepts in chemistry, biology, poultry science, English composition, and mathematics.
• Sophomore Year: Builds upon foundational knowledge with courses in poultry physiology, commercial poultry production, public speaking, accounting, history, and fine arts.
• Junior Year: Delves deeper into poultry science with courses focusing on microbiology, poultry breeding, fertility, and hatchability, further processing and products, animal metabolism and nutrition, principles of animal feed manufacturing, poultry processing, and small group communication.

Careers:

Opportunities:

Graduates from the POPP program are equipped to pursue diverse careers across the poultry production industry, including:

• Management roles: Production managers, plant managers, hatchery managers, live production managers, breeder farm managers, quality control managers, and farm supervisors.
• Technical roles: Nutritionists, field service representatives, poultry scientists, geneticists, poultry pathologists, regulatory personnel, product development specialists, and food safety specialists.
• Business roles: Marketing and sales, financial analysis, and business development in poultry-related companies.
• Government and regulatory agencies: Poultry inspectors, food safety inspectors, and research scientists.

Outcomes:

The POPP program prepares graduates for successful professional careers by equipping them with:

• A comprehensive understanding of modern poultry production systems.
• Strong technical and analytical skills to apply scientific principles in a practical setting.
• Effective communication and business management skills.
• The ability to navigate ethical considerations and social responsibility within the poultry industry.
• A commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.

Other:

• The POPP curriculum meets the educational requirements for the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) certification.
• Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities such as the Poultry Science Club and attend industry conferences and workshops for enhanced learning and networking opportunities.