Animal Science
Instructors: Jessica Graham, Kate Wesche
Teacher Assistant: Lisa Lipp
315-589-2642
Program Goal: The Animal Science program prepares students for a wide range of careers related to the animal care and farm industries.
As juniors, students receive instruction in animal anatomy, physiology, behavior, care, and enrichment. The classroom houses a large variety of domestic and exotic animals as well as operate a grooming parlor. These are used as hands on learning models for the handling, behavior, and care of animals as well as industry skills.
As seniors, students receive instruction on large animal and farm industry topics. They learn about the cattle, swine, goat, sheep, and poultry industries. Within these units is digestion, reproduction, nutrition, breeds, vaccines, diseases, housing, and care of each animal. Also included are hoof trimming, egg incubation, ear tagging, meat sciences, and livestock judging within the species studied. They visit a beef farm each year to assist the farm and veterinarian with moving cattle through a chute system, fecal diagnostics, vaccines, and pregnancy checks. They can view a fetus via a portable ultrasound machine that the veterinarian uses. They can observe postmortem dissections of reproductive and digestive systems of many farm species. Students work on creating a resume, cover letter, digital portfolio, and interview skills.
Junior Year
- Care and Management of Small and Exotic Animals
- Animal Behavior
- Animal Handling and Restraints
- Basic Grooming and Bathing
- Anatomy and Physiology: Musculoskeletal, Integumentary, Circulatory, Respiratory, Reproductive and Digestive body systems
- Veterinary Terminology
- Animal Nutrition and Feeding
- AKC and CFA Breed Identification
- Pet First Aid
Senior Year
- College and Careers in Animal Science Industries
- Interview Skills, Resume, Cover Letter, Digital Portfolio
- Beef Industry
- Dairy Industry
- Swine Industry
- Sheep and Goat Industry
- Poultry Industry
- Meat Sciences
- Egg Incubation and Chick Care
- Digestion and Reproduction
- Nutrition, Health, Diseases and Vaccinations
- Introduction to Livestock Judging
Articulation Agreements:
SUNY Canton-3 Credits for Intro to Animal Agriculture (VSCT 103)
SUNY Cobleskill-3 Advanced Standing Credits each for Foundations of Animal Science (ANSC 101); Introduction to Animal Science (ANSC 111)-Must pass challenge exam; Small Animal Management (ANSC-140)-Must pass challenge exam
SUNY Morrisville-Dual Credit ($50 per credit hour)-Animal Science and Industry (ANSC 100)
Median Pay (US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook-2023):