Animal Science: Advanced Animal Nutrition

Discusses the principles of meeting the nutrient requirements of animals, including an introduction to feedstuffs, animal metabolism and feed formulation for domestic or captive vertebrate animals. Prerequisites: ASCI 1040, ASCI 2110; or Instructor permission. Pre/co-requisite: ASCI 2120.

Prereqs enforced by system: ASCI 1040 AND ASCI 2110; Or Instructor Permission Must register for a lab L01-L04 Open to Degree and PACE students

https://www.uvm.edu/cals/asci/profile/joao-hc-costa

This class gives the students an understanding of applied animal nutrition, including nutrient digestion and metabolism, feeding behavior, feedstuff characteristics, and principles for formulating nutritionally balanced diets. The class should benefit students in animal sciences and pre-veterinary medicine. The course includes lectures and laboratory learning schedules to support these learning goals. 6. COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES A student who completes ASCI 3040 should be able to address each of the following objectives. a. Understand what is and the importance of animal nutrition and diet management. b. Become aware of feedstuffs that provide nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, and fat for the various species. c. Know gastrointestinal (GI) anatomy and digestive process differences between all species presented. The GI tract is key to the nutrition of all species. d. Familiar with requirement systems used to feed domestic livestock – and how to apply them. e. Identify the primary grains and feeds used within the animal industry. f. Have a working knowledge of feed/food preservation, quality control, and regulation. g. Develop an understanding of animal production systems: cattle, swine, poultry, aquaculture, small ruminants, dairy cows, and companion animals.

The course consists of a combination of lectures and laboratory sessions designed to connect theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on learning. Lectures will be held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00 to 12:50 PM, focusing on key concepts that will later be applied during the laboratory sessions. Laboratories will take place once a week, with several sections offered at different times to accommodate students’ schedules. These sessions are an essential part of the course, allowing students to gain direct experience, develop critical observation skills, and apply what they have learned in class to real-life situations. Active participation and consistent attendance are fundamental expectations. Students who attend and participate in at least 70% of the lectures and laboratory sessions will receive full participation credit (100%). Those who do not meet this threshold will receive a proportional score based on the percentage of sessions attended and actively engaged in. Students are expected to arrive on time, come prepared for both lectures and labs, and contribute thoughtfully to discussions and activities. Respectful interaction with classmates, instructors, and animals is essential at all times. This structure is designed to promote meaningful engagement, practical learning, and a strong sense of responsibility throughout the course.

The course grade will be determined by a combination of exams, assignments, laboratory work, and participation. The midterm and final exam will each account for 20% of the final grade, evaluating students’ understanding of key concepts and their ability to apply knowledge from lectures and labs. Three major assignments will be based on experimental work: the rat experiment, dairy experiment, and poultry experiment, each worth 10%. These projects are designed to help students connect scientific principles with practical research and animal management scenarios. Students will also be required to maintain a laboratory notebook, which must be submitted for evaluation and represents 5% of the final grade. Weekly laboratory assignments will account for another 10%, encouraging students to stay engaged with the material and reflect on their observations throughout the semester. Active involvement is an important part of this course. Attendance and participation in discussions and laboratory sessions will make up 15% of the total grade. Students who consistently attend, contribute to class discussions, and fully participate in lab activities will receive full credit. Grades will be assigned according to the following scale: 97–100 = A+; 94–96 = A; 90–93 = A−; 87–89 = B+; 84–86 = B; 80–83 = B−; 77–79 = C+; 74–76 = C; 70–73 = C−; 67–69 = D+; 64–66 = D; 60–63 = D−; below 60 = F. This grading structure is designed to reward steady engagement, consistent performance, and a commitment to both the theoretical and practical aspects of animal science.