College in the Schools - Course Offerings
Animal Science (AnSc 1101: Introduction to Animal Science)
FAQs about CIS Program
FAQs about CIS Animal Science
Sample Syllabus and Other Syllabus Resources
Sample Schedule
Sponsoring U of M Academic Department: Department of Animal Science (Collegeof Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences)
Credits: Four University of Minnesota semester credits
Description:Introduction to animal science with emphasis on fundamental concepts of physiology, nutrition, animal breeding and management as they apply to production systems of livestock and poultry. Students should be in the top 50 percent of their class to enroll in this course, but in exceptional cases individual instructors can override this requirement.
Teachers or schools interested in offering the course in 2007-08 should contact Julie Williams (juliew@umn.edu or 612-626-8179) for more information.
Student prerequisites: Students enrolling in Animal Science 1101 must be juniors or seniors in high school and in the top 50 percent of their class, or have instructor approval, to participate.
Class materials: Please speak with the faculty coordinator, Tony Sekora, for more specific information about content and cost of materials (612-624-3448, seyko001@umn.edu).
Textbook: Damron, W.S. Introduction to Animal Science; Global, Biological, Social, and Industry Perspectives, 4th Edition. $80 each if ordered by the high school. Textbooks can be used for at least five years. (Available through Prentice Hall. The rep is Liz Stein at 1-800-328-2560, ext.7725.)
Course packet and exams: Schools will need to copy these resources for each student from master copies provided by the University. Course packets and exams cannot be reused. (Approximately 200 pages in each packet)
Supplies for labs: $7 per student, per year
Lab equipment: Costs might vary greatly but most Voc-Ag departments will already have needed equipment on hand.
Faculty Coordinator: Tony Seykora, Professor, Department of Animal Science (612-624-3448 or seyko001@umn.edu). Tony received his Ph..D in Animal Science from North Carolina State University in 1982. Among Dr. Seykora’s many awards are Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame Inductee, Honorary American FFA Degree, and University of Minnesota Alumni Association Outstanding Faculty Volunteer Award. He has published research in the field of dairy cattle genetics and works with statewide 4-H dairy projects. Courses that he currently teaches include Introductory Animal Science, Animal and Society, and Animal Breeding.
Sample Syllabus for CIS Animal Science
U of M Syllabus Resources and Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the texts and readings specified or mandated by the University of Minnesota? If not, what are some of the choices?
Animal science teachers offering U of M courses through College in the Schools use the same textbooks as their counterparts teaching on the U of M campus. Teachers have choices in supplementary materials.
Do teachers have choice in assignments? Are there required assignments?
Teachers are required to cover the material, but they have flexibility in how they cover it. There are required assignments from the text. Individual teachers adjust the syllabus to fit their school’s schedule and may choose to go into greater depth on some topics.
Who creates the exams?
Exams for the course are created by University faculty and will be posted on a secure website. Instructors can modify exams but there are some questions that will be designated as required.
Is there a training and mentoring system for Animal Science teachers new to CIS?
Yes. When you begin teaching animal science you will be joining a group of high school teachers that share ideas and materials with each other through e-mail and teacher workshops. New teachers also benefit from an orientation to College in the Schools that will familiarize them with the support available through CIS as well as prepare them for administrative tasks such as registering students and posting grades.
High school class schedules vary; can a teacher in the block system teach Animal Science?
All courses offered through CIS have the same minimum number of contact hours as the on-campus sections. Teachers adapt the course content to match the schedules at their high schools.
What happens at typical teacher workshops?
CIS teachers attend professional development workshops each term to stay current with U of M curriculum and the CIS program, to learn about innovative research, to network, and to share materials. Workshops serve as faculty meetings with course and program development discussions with special attention dedicated to content, pedagogy, and assessment of the college courses.
What happens at typical student field days?
Student field days provide an opportunity for CIS students to meet their peers, practice skills they have learned in class, and explore the Twin Cities campus. Animal science student field days may also be used to meet certain lab requirements.
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