Undergraduate Course Catalog 2008-2009
Thompson School of Applied Science
» http://www.thompsonschool.unh.edu/
Applied Animal Science (AAS)
» http://www.thompsonschool.unh.edu/aas
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Professor: Andrew B. Conroy
Associate Professor: Jerilee A. Zezula
Applied Animal Science provides students with hands-on practical skills combined with knowledge and understanding of the latest technology. The core program provides a solid background in anatomy, physiology, nutrition, health, and animal breeding. In addition, students choose a specialization in equine management, dairy management, or small animal care. Each specialization also allows for choices of elective courses in other areas.
Practical learning experience is provided at the UNH equine facilities and the Thomas P. Fairchild Dairy Teaching and Research Center. The Thompson School also operates its own grooming shop and biology laboratories. The curriculum has a number of animal-related educational programs, including an educational partnership with the New Hampshire SPCA in Stratham, N.H., and field trips to many animal-related businesses.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the Applied Animal Science program area must present at least two years of satisfactory work in college preparatory mathematics and sciences (one of them being biology, with a lab). One year of high school chemistry is also highly recommended.
Curriculum Fee
Applied animal science, all specializations: $538*
*This one-time, nonrefundable curriculum fee is required to cover lab materials, specialized equipment maintenance, and transportation that is unique to the applied nature of the specialization. The curriculum fee covers the entire two-year course of study for one specialization. Any non-TSAS student may be assessed specific course fees, details of which are included in each semester's Time and Room Schedule. All fees are subject to change.
Applied Animal Science Curriculum Standards
Applied Animal Science students must maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade-point average in AAS classes after 2 semesters (26 credits) to take additional AAS classes. Students with AAS averages lower than 2.00 must repeat classes with lower grades and raise their average to the required 2.00 before taking additional AAS classes. Students must have a minimum cumulative 2.00 grade-point average in AAS classes to qualify for graduation from the program.
Dairy Management
To work in the highly technical, rapidly changing field of dairy management, students must become well versed in the many aspects of dairy farm operation and management. In the dairy management specialization, students put many of the skills learned in the classroom into practice immediately. Students learn to balance rations, identify and treat diseases, read a bull proof, and gain many other skills. They work at the University’s dairy farm, a modern and well-equipped teaching and research center, where students work with each other to manage the CREAM (Cooperative for Real Education in Agriculture) herd. Students are also involved with the new organic dairy facility.
Students learn the business of farming through field exercises in land management, forage production, financial management, and computer use on a dairy farm as well as through continued practical experience with cattle. The program prepares students to work both on the farm and in related businesses.
Thompson School Dairy Management has a unique arrangement with the Animal and Nutritional Sciences (ANSC) Baccalaureate Dairy Management major. Students may start with the Thompson School program, obtain their Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree then transfer to ANSC and obtain a B.S. in two additional years with a full-time course of study. This allows students to receive two degrees in as little as four years or obtain their A.A.S. degree and work in the field to later return for a B.S. Students wishing to follow this course of action need to work closely with their advisers and maintain a C or better in key Applied Animal Science courses.
Career Opportunities: Herd manager, agricultural sales and/or service employee, farm manager, artificial insemination (AI) technician, crop manager, farm or farm business owner.
Dairy Management Program of Study
First Year, Fall Semester
AAS 228, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, 4 cr.
AAS 231, Introduction to Animal Science, 4 cr.
AAS 244, Introduction to Dairy Management, 4 cr.
AAS 278, AAS Computer Applications, 1 cr.
COM 209, Expository Writing and Reading, 4 cr.
First Year, Spring Semester
AAS 223, Dairy Selection, 2 cr.
AAS 234, Equipment and Facilities Management, 3 cr.
AAS 239, Fundamentals of Animal Health, 3 cr.
AAS 242, Introduction to Business, AAS, 2 cr.
COM 212, Technical Writing, 2 cr.
MTH 202, Math II, 3 cr.
Second Year, Fall Semester
AAS 232, Animal Forages, 3 cr.
AAS 235, Animal Nutrition, 3 cr.
AAS 246, Animal Business Applications, 4 cr.
AAS 275, CREAM (Cooperative for Real Education in Agriculture) Program, 4 cr.
AAS 297, Work Experience (summer), 0 cr.
SSCI class, 2-4 cr.
Second Year, Spring Semester
AAS 240, Animal Breeding, 3 cr.
AAS 275, CREAM Program, 4 cr.
SSCI 201, Human Relations, 4 cr. or
SSCI 202, Social Issues, 4 cr.
Recommended electives include
AAS 221, Large Animal Behavior and Handling, 2 cr.
AM Agricultural Mechanization courses
Total: 67-70 credits
Equine Management
As part of new leisure industries, the equine industry in New England encompasses many different facilities and disciplines. Students in the equine management specialization combine courses in the most recent technical information with related practical experience. They gain hands-on experience in bandaging, selection, ration-balancing by computer, fitting and care of equipment, and farm and barn analysis. They also acquire decision making and managerial skills. Graduates have a solid basis for direct employment opportunities yet enough flexibility to further their education.
The riding focus at UNH is balance seat with schooling in dressage, cross country, and stadium jumping. Thompson School students in horsemanship classes ride in the UNH program and have the opportunity to compete in intercollegiate shows.
Thompson School Equine Management has an articulation agreement for students wishing to pursue a B.S. from ANSC following graduation from the Thompson School. This B.S. would be obtained either in Equine Industry and Management (Track I) with four additional semesters or in Therapeutic Horseback Riding (Track II) in five additional semesters. With this articulation, students may obtain both an Associate Degree in Applied Science (A.A.S.) and a B.S. in as little as four years with full-time coursework, or obtain their A.A.S., work in the field, and return for their B.S. Students wishing to take advantage of these articulation agreements need to work closely with their advisers. An additional financial benefit may be realized by students following this articulation as the Equine Management specialization is part of the New England Regional Compact (see section headed "New England Regional Student Program").
Career Opportunities: Barn manager, breeding farm manager, sales (tack shops, grain stores), horse show manager, veterinary assistant/equine practice, riding instructor.
Equine Management Program of Study
First Year, Fall Semester
AAS 228, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, 4 cr.
AAS 231, Introduction to Animal Science, 4 cr.
AAS 237, Equine Handling & Care Techniques, 4 cr.
AAS 278, AAS Computer Applications, 1 cr.
COM 209, Expository Writing and Reading, 4 cr.
First Year, Spring Semester
AAS 226, Equine Conformation and Lameness, 4 cr.
AAS 236, Equine Show Preparation and Competition, 1 cr.
AAS 234, Equipment and Facilities Management, 3 cr.
AAS 239, Fundamentals of Animal Health, 3 cr.
AAS 242, Introduction to Business, AAS, 2 cr.
COM 212, Technical Writing, 2 cr.
MTH 202, Math II, 3 cr.
Second Year, Fall Semester
AAS 232, Animal Forages, 3 cr.
AAS 235, Animal Nutrition, 3 cr.
AAS 246, Animal Business Applications, 4 cr.
AAS 247, Applied Equine Management, 3 cr.
AAS 297, Work Experience (summer), 0 cr.
SSCI class, 2-4 cr.
ANSC 402, Horsemanship, 3 cr.
Second Year, Spring Semester
AAS 240, Animal Breeding, 3 cr.
AAS 252, Equine Health Management, 4 cr.
AAS 253, Equine Competition Management, 2 cr.
SSCI 202, Social Issues, 4 cr.
Electives, 2-5 cr.
Recommended electives
AAS 272, Comparative Equine Operations
AAS 293, Equine Field Operations
ANSC 507, Equine Discipline (ANSC 402 is a prerequisite)
Total: 65-69 credits
Small Animal Care
Animal companionship provides millions of people an oasis in a hectic, impersonal world, and pet owners consistently seek additional advice on the care of their animals. The small animal care specialization prepares students to work in companion animal care positions of all types.
In their first year, students gain experience in breed types, behavior, genetics, restraint, and training of dogs and cats. Students also master laboratory procedures such as fecal examination and heartworm testing. In addition, the students learn the basics of grooming, nutrition, first aid, disease prevention, medication administration, and toxicology. During their second year, students spend four hours a week at the New Hampshire SPCA performing all aspects of animal care and continue with their academic subjects.
Small Animal Care is very flexible with recommended elective courses. Second year students choose classes based on their career goals. Career tracks include veterinary hospital employment, employment in the humane/animal control fields, employment or ownership within the boarding/grooming/daycare industry, or positions in laboratory animal care.
Career Opportunities: Veterinary assistant, laboratory animal caregiver, pet store manager, pet groomer, kennel manager, animal care and control technician, animal-assisted activities/therapy volunteer and/or coordinator.
Small Animal Care Program of Study
First Year, Fall Semester
AAS 228, Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals, 4 cr.
AAS 230, Small Animal Breeds and Behavior, 4 cr.
AAS 231, Introduction to Animal Science, 3 cr.
AAS 278, AAS Computer Applications, 1 cr.
COM 209, Expository Writing and Reading, 4 cr.
First Year, Spring Semester
AAS 218, Careers in Small Animal Care, 1 cr.
AAS 222, Small Animal Grooming I, 2 cr.
AAS 239, Fundamentals of Animal Health, 3 cr.
AAS 242, Introduction to Business, AAS, 2 cr.
AAS 249, Small Animal Care Techniques, 2 cr.
COM 212, Technical Writing, 2 cr. or
COM 211, Critical Reading, 2 cr.
MTH 202, Math II, 3 cr.
Electives, 1-3 cr.
Second Year, Fall Semester
AAS 235, Animal Nutrition, 3 cr.
AAS 246, Animal Business Applications, 4 cr.
AAS 279, Small Animal Care Practicum, 2 cr.
AAS 297, Work Experience (summer), 0 cr.
SSCI 201, Human Relations, 4 cr.
AAS Electives, 2- 5 cr.
Second Year, Spring Semester
AAS 224, Small Animal Management, 4 cr.
AAS 240, Animal Breeding, 3 cr.
AAS 279, Small Animal Care Practicum, 2 cr.
AAS Electives, 2-4 cr.
SSCI Class, 2-4 cr.
Electives, 2-3 cr.
Recommended AAS electives
AAS 219, Animal Cruelty: NH Laws, Investigations, and Prosecution, 1 cr.
AAS 221, Large Animal Behavior and Handling, 2 cr.
AAS 227, Small Animal Diseases, 2 cr.
AAS 233, Small Animal Grooming II, 2 cr.
AAS 236, Equine Show Preparation and Competition, 1 cr.
AAS 237, Equine Management Techniques, 4 cr.
AAS 251, Human/Animal Bond, 2 cr.
AAS 254, Animal Assisted Activities and Therapy, 2 cr.
AAS 276, Introduction to Lab Animals, 2 cr.
AAS 277, Lab Animal Practicum, 1 cr.
ABM courses (permission required)
ANSC 402, Horsemanship
CSL (Community Leadership) courses, for students interested in working with non-profit organizations
Total: 64-70 credits
