Increase in demand for hands on instruction in animal science curriculum

Abstract Text:

In animal science programs across the United States, the fraction of undergraduate students that have livestock experience prior to entering college is diminishing.  Students in many programs clamor for hand-on experiences with animals and livestock, as it is relevant to their program of study, and may provide a competitive advantage in applying to a veterinary program.  An experimental course was proposed for two primary purposes; first to address the specific demand encountered in the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University, and secondly to provide greater pre-employment training and experience in course development and instruction for a doctoral student wishing to pursue an academic path.  With guidance from the department head, a course description, outline, and schedule were constructed and presented to the departmental curriculum committee.  Upon receiving authorization for the course to be listed on an experimental basis, registration was made available to the first ten students to enroll.  The three credit course consisted of two lectures per week and one lab.  Students were guided through an introduction to classical behaviorism and ethology, moving on to species specific behaviors of the major livestock species.  Information was presented first in lecture, and reinforced through lab exercises.  In labs, students were introduced to concepts through expert demonstration of animal handling or management techniques, and then practiced the skill with close supervision.  Students had several opportunities to increase their proficiency with specific skills before they were given a practical assessment.  Students were assessed on their assimilation of lecture material through traditional written exams, as well as in class and take home quizzes.  Evaluation of course was conducted with questions ranked in a 5-point Likert scale to assess student perceptions and effectiveness of the course to achieve university learning goals.  Students felt this course was an important part of their academic experience, and indicated that the exposure to the livestock species and various sectors of the livestock industry they were exposed to in this course was an invaluable experience.  Finally, students felt that the size of the class provided optimum opportunity for students to receive instruction, practice, and demonstrate proficiencies.

Keywords: hands-on instruction, livestock experience, livestock handling, proficiency