Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Sciences, it is expected that graduates will be able to:

  1. Develop and evaluate animal production and management systems by integrating knowledge of animal genetics, nutrition, reproduction, and other relevant disciplines and applying scientific and quantitative reasoning to solve real-world challenges.
  2. Locate, critically evaluate, and apply information from scholarly animal science literature and other sources to expand personal understanding and knowledge of animal sciences, providing a foundation for lifelong learning.
  3. Create and interpret graphs, tables and diagrams illustrating scientific data and concepts, and understand basic concepts relating to the design and analysis of research in the animal sciences.
  4. Communicate effectively about animal sciences to a range of audiences, both orally and in writing, using appropriate traditional and emerging media.
  5. Engage actively and effectively in discussion of complex issues relevant to the animal sciences by understanding and appreciating:
    1. the importance of animals to the health and well-being of society;
    2. economic, environmental, animal welfare, and societal impacts of animal production and management systems at the global and local level;
    3. varied ethical perspectives on animal practices;
    4. the role of science in informing debates.
  6. Appreciate the breadth and depth of professional opportunities in animal sciences relating to:
    1. the keeping of animals for food and fiber production and other purposes (e.g., companionship, research and teaching, biotechnology, sports, species conservation);
    2. the application of scientific principles to animal breeding, reproduction, feeding, growth and development, health management, housing, handling, and end – product safety and quality.

Upon completion of the Graduate Degree in Animal Sciences, it is expected that graduates will have competencies in:

  1. Analyzing data
    1. Students will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of the area of emphasis through knowledge of the literature and the ability to integrate their research into the context of previous work. Their competency is based on data collected as grades for courses, proposals and manuscripts written, seminars, thesis committee meetings, teaching performance (by students and instructors) and research progress provided by the student’s mentor and committee.
    2. Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to competently collect, analyze and report their data and research results. Their competency is based on data collected in proposals and manuscripts the student has written, seminars, thesis committee meetings and research progress provided by the student during laboratory and committee meetings.
  2. Oral and written communication
    1. Students will be able to demonstrate that they can write and depict scientific data in a clear, organized and accurate fashion using correct grammar, spelling and sentence structure. The student’s ability to meet this objective is based on data collected as grades for courses (such as technical writing), proposals and manuscripts written by the student, teaching performance evaluations provided by students and instructors, and presentations given at scientific and lay meetings.
    2. Demonstrate that the student can communicate ideas, concepts, research findings, and questions using appropriate vocabulary and scientific presentation skills. The student’s ability to meet this objective is based on data collected as grades for courses (such as seminar) proposals presentation skills evident at thesis committee meetings, teaching performance evaluations provided by students and instructors, and presentations given at scientific and lay meetings.
  3. Scientific conduct, and ethics of conducting research. Students will be trained in how to apply the scientific method and to recognize the relationship between science and society. This will be demonstrated by their ability to:
    1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the scientific method and the importance of ethical practice in data collection, analysis and reporting.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to apply the scientific method by formulating hypotheses and predictions, design relevant experiments, validate methodology, and critically evaluate and interpret findings appropriately.
    3. Demonstrate that the student recognizes and appreciates the role science plays in society as a whole.