Animal science at Newcastle explores all aspects of the biology of animals, developing your knowledge of the underlying scientific principles that govern how animals behave and function as well as the practical application of this knowledge.

The sound understanding of science, coupled with the critical thinking, analysis and communication skills that are developed through the course, mean you will be equipped for a wide range of careers in the animal science sector. The flexible nature of the course allows you to learn a European language or to acquire business or marketing skills, thereby increasing your options after graduation.

With the variety and diversity of career opportunities within the veterinary profession such as in Medicine (private veterinary medical practice and part of primary healthcare team) , Agriculture (livestock production), Public Service (Food Quality Control, meat inspection, regulatory medicine, wildlife conservation, Zoo Veterinarian), Research (care of laboratory, small and large animals involved in research and specializations as laboratory diagnostician or researcher), Pharmaceutical Companies and Food Industries,, the veterinarian will always be in great demand and will be respected by society. Our veterinary medical curriculum is designed to provide participants in the program the opportunity to receive qualitative veterinary education towards global improvement in animal healthcare and livestock production. The method of integrated teaching which we adopt in execution most parts of the curriculum prepares our graduates for the diversity if roles which a veterinarian is expected to play in the society.

Produce graduates with sound hands on knowledge for animal farming with adequate know how on animal health and value addition and to cater to the demand for specialized knowledge and skills in the livestock sector to enhance animal productivity and adding value to livestock production in commercial and cottage industry levels. Course of Study: Animal Science
Degree: BASc. (Bachelor of Animal Science)
Focus: Produce graduates with sound hands on knowledge for animal farming with adequate know how on animal health and value addition. Eg. Poultry, Piggery, Sheep, Goats, Cattle, Dairy. This course offers a combination of knowledge and skills in veterinary science and animal husbandry together with the required knowledge in agriculture.
Entry Requirement: Students from Biological Science stream
Department: Department of Animal Science

Academic ProgramYear Semester 1 Semester 2
First Year Essential Skill Development
(15 Credits)

Broad General Education
(15 Credits)
Core course units in Animal Science
(2 Credits)
Second Year

Objective is to provide a thorough background in principles of the subject areas in Animal Science.

Core Course units in Animal Science (30 credits) & Essential Skills (2 Credits)
Third Year
Relevant Studies in selected areas of Animal Science
Core course units
Animal husbandry course units
Breeding and management
Ornamental fish management
Dairy chemistry
Meat science
Egg product technology
Inland fishery
Fourth Year Advanced Studies in a chosen field
Local Needs
Global Trends
Value Addition to natural resources
Evolving marketing trends

Industrial Training (Begining of the academic year)

Research Project (Endof the academic year)

The Department underwent initial accreditation in September 1995 as a result of which it was renamed Department of Animal Science and Range Management. The department graduated its first set of final year students (graduates) during the 1994/95 academic session.

The Senate of the university approved the M. Tech. /Ph.D. (Animal Production and Management) programmes of the department in 1998 and approval for take off was obtained in 2001. At present there are two Ph.D. students in the Department while those admitted into the M. Tech. programmes are expected to register in October 2002.

The Department places more emphasis on courses related to production and management techniques complemented with fieldwork and relevant laboratory practicals. The graduates trained in the department are thus expected to:

(i) Engage in production, research and extension services that would provide appropriate solutions to the livestock and rural development problems and generally improve upon livestock production in the country.

(ii) Profitably put their practical skills into operation by establishing and operating their own farming enterprises.

(iii) Take up employment anywhere in Nigeria in any aspect of livestock production and other related areas.

It is hoped that the above accomplishments may lead to the realization of the technological aspect of their training in a technological institution.

AVSC 336 Ruminant Nutrition 3.0; 3 cr.
Recent advances in the nutrition of cattle and sheep with reference to microbiological aspects of digestion and its relation to practical feeding.

AVSC 388 Animal Production and Environmental Management 3,0; 3 cr.
Characterizes the impact of extensive and intensive livestock systems on the environmental sustainability of the two systems in terms of technical constraints and feasible corrective environmental management strategies.

AVSC 395 Graduate Seminar in Animal Science 1.0; 1 cr.

AVSC 399 MS Thesis

Elective Courses for the MS Degree in Animal Science

AVSC 300 Graduate Tutorial 1–3 cr.
Special problem. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

AVSC 305 Poultry Diseases 3.0; 3 cr.
Etiology, clinical characteristics, identification, prevention, and control of the major infectious and metabolic diseases of poultry.

AVSC 307 Poultry Production in Warm Regions 3.0; 3 cr.
Recent advances in poultry production practices under high temperature conditions with special emphasis on physiology of heat stress in birds as related to housing, management, and feeding. Prerequisite: AVSC 226.

AVSC 329 Advanced Animal Physiology 2.3; 3 cr.
Comparative physiology of domestic animals with special emphasis on digestion, reproduction, lactation, and thermo-regulation. Prerequisite: AVSC 275 or equivalent.

AVSC 334 Advanced Poultry Nutrition 2.3; 3 cr.

Recent developments in poultry nutrition; design and implementation of poultry nutrition experiments. Prerequisite: AVSC 271.

Animal Science
1101, 1401, 2305, 2406, 2413, 3201, 3302, 3305, 3308, 3309, 3315, 3402, 4304, 4305, 4306

Natural Resource Management
Select from 1402, 2302, 2401 – 3-4 hrs

Core Curriculum
English 1301, 1302, 2315, or other literature, and English 2304 – 12 hrs
Communication 1303, or Theatre 2304 – 3 hrs
Fine Art: Select from Fine Arts 1301; Art 1301; Music 1312, 1313; or Theatre 1302 – 3 hrs
History 1301, 1302 – 3 hrs
Mathematices: Select from 1310, 1315, 1316, 1320 or 1342 – 6 hrs
Physical Education 1150 and one activity course – 2 hrs
Political Science 2305, 2306 – 6 hrs
Science: 4 courses from 2 fields: Select from Biology 1401, 2406; Chemistry 1401, 1402 – 16 hrs
Social Science (including 3 hrs Mulitcultural): Select from Anthropology 1301, Economics 2300, 2305; Geography 1302, 2302;
Philosophy 1301; Psychology 1302; Sociology 2303 – 6 hrs

Grand Total 120 hrs

The Animal Production specialization provides classroom instruction and real world hands-on experience with animals at the SIUC Livestock Centers on campus. Senior level courses in beef cattle management, swine management, dairy cattle management, and equine science assimilate all knowledge and skills learned in previous courses to prepare graduates for rewarding careers that range from livestock production and management to marketing, sales, and public relations to post graduate training in animal research, teaching, veterimary medicine and biotechnology.

What facilities are at SIU?
The Animal Production specialization is supported by extensive facilities for several species of livestock. Every student has the opportunity to get involved in work, research labs, or class at the 2,000 acre farm system that is the core of the animal science teaching program. The SIUC farm has special centers for:

* 75 brood cows, with cow-calf and feedlot operations
* 75 head operating dairy
* 45 head of horses for teaching, research and breeding
* 100 crossbred sow farrow-to-finish operation
* Beef Evaluation Center
* High-technology feed mill with micro-nutrient mixing and ration formulation

For additional information about the animal facilities, feel free to peruse our web site section on University Farms.

What are my career opportunities?
Career opportunities are excellent for Bachelor of Science graduates trained in Animal Production. An Animal Science major will allow you to combine your unique interests with your desire for an exciting and rewarding career.

Animal Production graduates are prepared to: work directly with beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, or horse production and management; pursue careers in the multifaceted agribusiness industry; or further scientific interests with a career in research, veterinary medicine, or education.

SIUC also offers studies in animal nutrition and reproductive physiology leading to a Master of Science degree in Animal Science.

Students in this Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program can select from one of the following concentrations: Dairy Processing, Dairy Production, Equine Science, General Animal Science, Livestock Production, and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Each concentration allows students to focus on specific educational and career goals. Animal Science provides instruction and practical experience in judging, breeding, feeding and managing livestock. Through course selection, students prepare for livestock farming, management, business, or graduate study in Animal Science or Veterinary Medicine. Directed electives allow special training for work with animal-feed companies; milk, egg or poultry operations; food-processing industries; managerial or marketing groups; supply and equipment cooperatives; agricultural extension services; public relations; and other organizations associated with animal production and management.

Careers in Animal Science

Animal Science graduates follow a wide range of career paths such as food-processing management, poultry-plant management, feed and equipment sales, animal breeding and management, horse training, and veterinary school.

About Agricultural Sciences

The Department of Agricultural Sciences is committed to providing a well-rounded and applied educational experience. Scientific theory is blended with practical applications in modern labs (soils, crops, computer, beef, dairy, dairy foods, meats, greenhouses, gardens and equine). The Tech Farm Salesroom markets and sells dairy, meat and plant products produced and processed on Tech Farm. These facilities support research opportunities for faculty, staff and students, in addition to service opportunities for the agricultural industry.

High school and pre-preparation

Any student admitted to the university may elect to major in Agricultural Business.

JCU’s School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences has offered the Bachelor of Veterinary Science since 2006. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to diagnose, treat and prevent disease in a wide range of animals including companion animals, farm animals, aquatic species and native fauna. In addition, students will acquire a thorough knowledge of animal production systems, particularly tropical animal husbandry and aquaculture.

The final year of the course is devoted to clinical and professional training and is delivered in a series of clinical rotations through veterinary hospitals, practices, laboratories and government agencies in Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Charters Towers and Malanda. Graduates will be eligible for registration as a veterinarian.

Duration:
5 years full-time

Mode:
On campus (Internal), full time

Workload:
Normal workload expectations are a minimum of 10 hours per week for every subject, including class contact hours, preparation and time spent on assessment tasks.

Type:
Undergraduate

Credit points:
120 credit points o

Intake:
February

Campus:
Townsville