Animal and Natural Resource Sciences

ARSC 6086. Special Problems in Animal & Natural Resource Sciences. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Selected topics in animal science, natural resource, wildlife sciences not covered by existing courses. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

ARSC 6087. Research. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-6 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Doctoral students conduct original research on a variety of topics in agriculture and natural resource sciences toward a doctoral dissertation. Course will be graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6090. Special Topics in Animal and Natural Resource Sciences. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 6 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Selected topics in Animal and Natural Resource Sciences offered as needed and dependent upon departmental, faculty, and student interests. May be repeated as topics vary. Instructor approval required prior to registration. Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

ARSC 6185. Graduate Seminar in Animal & Natural Resource Sciences. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 0 Hours).

Graduate seminar with content varying according to student and curricular needs. Students must be enrolled every long semester for a total of six credits. Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

ARSC 6301. Principles of Research in the Natural Resource Sciences. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is a thorough treatment of the philosophy of science as it applies to the ecological, environmental, and natural resource sciences. Starting from the historical foundations of science, students will become familiar with the logical underpinnings of ecological research, including epistemology, the nature of theory, hypothesis testing, and the logic of study design. This course will provide students with a logical understanding of the scientific process, prior to enrollment in more quantitative treatments of study design and data analysis. Students will be required to prepare a complete research proposal in the course. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6301 and WSES 5301. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing with a major in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6302. Natural Resource Ecology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced relationships of ecological principles to natural resource, wildlife, and range conservation and management. Ecology's historical context; evolution; the niche; intraspecific and interspecific competition; vegetation succession; predator-prey dynamics; and spatial ecology. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6302 and WSES 5302. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6303. Rumen Microbiology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Scientific and practical evaluation of the rumen microbiome, with emphasis on functional classes and substrate preferences, and its impact on animal nutrition and performance. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6303 and ANSC 5303.

ARSC 6304. Wildlife-Habitat Relationships. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced study of habitat and wildlife-habitat interactions. This is a graduate level class for individuals with a basic understanding of ecological and wildlife management concepts. Involves review and discussion of important articles on this subject. Includes advanced discussion of concepts such as plant succession, niche, carrying capacity, habitat measurements, and habitat management. Students will learn how habitat and succession may be manipulated to best manage wildlife populations; also how browsers and grazers may affect their habitats. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6304 and WSES 5304. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6306. Fire Ecology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

This course will address the ecological role of fire in natural systems, rangelands, including grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, and forests; adaptations of plants and animals to fire; long-term controls on wild fire; use of fire as an ecosystem management tool, with aspects of wildland firefighting; and prescribed burning, including fire behavior, fuels, weather, politics and policy. Students will gain hands-on prescribed burning experiences as circumstances and weather permit. Credit will not be awarded both for ANRS 6306 and WSES 5306. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science. Lab fee: $2.

ARSC 6308. Measuring Animal Behavior. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced course in the principles and methods of quantitative studies of behavior, with an emphasis on techniques of observation, recording, and analysis. Credit will not be awarded for ANRS 6308, ANSC 5308, and WSES 5308. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6309. Plant-Animal Interactions. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Plant-animal and animal-plant interactions are the basis for many ecosystem functions. This course tailors the study of those interactions to student interests from insects to ungulates, aquatic to terrestrial, managed to natural systems, and individual species to ecosystems. Credit will not be awarded both for ANRS 6309 and WSES 5309. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6310. Muscle Chemistry, Ultrastructure, and Physiology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of muscle development, structure, composition, growth, mechanisms of contraction, and rigor as related to livestock and meat production. Prerequisite: Graduate standing-PhD.

ARSC 6311. Ecological Pest Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced study of the principles of integrated pest management emphasizing the ecologically sound use of chemical, biological, cultural, and physical control tactics to manage pests. Students will concentrate on one or few commodities, of their choice, and develop a detailed best management plan. Credit will not be awarded both for ANRS 6311 and WSES 5311. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6312. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The study of cell communication through endocrine, autocrine, paracrine, and neuroendocrine secretions. Detailed physiological and biochemical composition of hormones with special reference to domestic animal species. Students who successfully complete this course cannot receive credit for ANSC 5312. Prerequisite: Graduate standing - PhD.

ARSC 6313. Vegetation Measurement, Inventory, and Monitoring. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Advanced vegetation sampling, measurement, monitoring, inventory, study design, and quantitative and statistical analysis. Assessment of range condition and forest health based on understanding ecological processes. Hands-on, field-based laboratory. Credit will not be awarded both for ANRS 6313 and WSES 5313. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6314. Veterinary Entomology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced studies in the classification, biology, and management of arthropods associated with livestock and wildlife systems. Emphasis will be placed on arthropod vectors of pathogens and their role in the epidemiology and management of disease. Credit will not be awarded both for ANRS 6314 and WSES 5314. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6315. Insect Taxonomy and Systematics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advance study of the taxonomy and identification of insects and other arthropods. Students will utilize various collecting techniques and dichotomous keys to obtain and identify arthropods. Credit will not be awarded both for ANRS 6315 and WSES 5315. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6316. Grant Writing and Funding Acquisition. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A course in terminology and processes associated with grant writing and the acquisitions of research funds. Credit will only be awarded for one of the following: ANRS 6316, ANSC 5316, and WSES 5316. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6317. Population Ecology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Advanced course in population biology, including theoretical and analytical applications focused on demographic rates, population growth, predator-prey relationships, and competition. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6317 and WSES 5317. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6318. Spatial Ecology and Conservation Modeling. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

The main objective of this course is to develop student’s in-depth understanding of spatial ecology as it pertains to landscape-level natural resource conservation and management problems. The course will focus on developing critical theoretical and practical skills to understand spatial patterns and processes that impact interacting ecological communities in various different ways. The ultimate purpose of this course is to enable students examine and tackle issues inherent in landscape management for preserving species and ecological communities. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6318 and WSES 5318. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6319. Restoration Ecology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced study of process-oriented approaches to ecological restoration. Enhancing resource capture, techniques in re-vegetation, and restoration of historical vegetation and ecosystem processes, with an emphasis on the reestablishment of ecosystem functioning to facilitate recovery. A review of current literature on theory and application of principles for recovery of degraded systems. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science. WSES currently teaches an undergraduate course in Ecological Restoration.

ARSC 6320. Advanced Production Economics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Application of advanced economic production principles in solving resource allocation problems in agriculture and agribusiness.

ARSC 6321. Pollinator Ecology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the ecology of pollinators, with a focus on the role of pollinators in ecosystem functioning, conservation and management. Through readings, lectures, and discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the field, including the biology and behavior of pollinators, the ecological and evolutionary relationships between pollinators and plants, and the impacts of global change on pollinators.

ARSC 6322. Carnivore Ecology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced treatment of the ecology of carnivores, with a focus on the biological and ecological aspects of carnivore populations and their interactions with other species in ecosystems. Through readings, lectures, and discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the field, including the role of carnivores in ecosystem functioning, conservation and management, and the challenges and opportunities facing carnivore populations in different ecosystems.

ARSC 6323. Human-Wildlife Coexistence. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced treatment of the complex biological and social factors influencing interactions between human and wild, non-human animal communities. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6324. Urban Ecology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced study of the unique factors contributing to urban ecosystem structure and function, including human development, direct and indirect human influence, hydrology, water quality, invasive species, altered thermal environments, human-adapted species, and depauperate communities. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6325. Animal Growth and Development. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Processes related to animal growth. Emphasis on cellular changes in muscle, bone and adipose tissue; functions of hormones related to development and age-related adaptation. Composition of muscle, bone, and adipose tissue in market animals will be presented. Credit will not be awarded for ANRS 6325 and ANSC 5315. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing.

ARSC 6326. Advanced Physiology of Reproduction. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of physiology of reproduction with focus on historical and current research in reproductive neuroendocrinology, male fertility, female cyclicity, and pregnancy. This course will discuss research in rodent models, rabbits, sheep, cattle, pigs, and primates. Students who successfully complete this course cannot receive credit for ANSC 5326. Prerequisite: ARSC 5312 or ARSC 6312.

ARSC 6327. Avian Ecology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced course in the ecology of birds, with a focus on the biological and ecological aspects of avian populations and their interactions with other species in ecosystems. Through readings, lectures, and discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the field, including the role of birds in ecosystem functioning, conservation and management, and the challenges and opportunities facing avian populations in different ecosystems.

ARSC 6329. Plant Ecology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced study of plant interactions with their environment, including local interactions with the abiotic and biotic environment. Topics include plant responses to changes in water, light, and temperature; ecosystem pools and processes such as nutrients and carbon; energy transfer within ecosystems; plant life history and functional traits; global biogeochemical cycles; climate change; and biogeography. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6330. Plant Community Conservation. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced study of factors that control plant populations and communities. Topics include dispersal, resource availability, competitive interactions, herbivory, mutualisms, succession, and disturbance; human-driven changes on plant diversity including invasive species, global climate change, and other disturbances. Strategies and approaches used in plant conservation will be explored in the literature. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6331. Wetland Ecology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced course in the ecology of wetlands, with a focus on the biological and ecological aspects of wetland ecosystems and their functions. Through readings, lectures, and discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the field, including the roles of wetlands in water quality, flood control, and biodiversity conservation.

ARSC 6332. Forage Biology and Physiology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Biology of forage growth, metabolic pathways of the plant, and physiological response to stressors that contribute to pasture management. Credit will not be awarded for ANRS 6332 and ANSC 5302. Prerequisites: doctoral standing.

ARSC 6334. Ruminant Nutrition. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Survey of current knowledge and concepts in ruminant physiology and biochemistry, their literature and experimental basis and relation to current and future practice and investigation. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6334 and ANSC 5304. Prerequisites: doctoral standing.

ARSC 6339. Animal Welfare Assessments and Audits. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Basic components of animal welfare assessments, review of current industry assessment tools and animal welfare audits. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6339 and ANSC 5309. Prerequisites: doctoral standing.

ARSC 6341. Data Management & Analysis in Animal Science. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Data collection practices, organization, and modification in various computer programs suited to the experimental designs used in animal science. Methods of data entry into statistical software, coding, and appropriate analyses. Students are expected to enter with a cursory knowledge of introductory statistics. Prerequisite: Doctoral classification; previous coursework in statistics.

ARSC 6345. Animal Metabolism. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course is structured to provide an overview of various regulatory mechanisms of metabolism and changes due to exercise, stress, pregnancy, nutrient imbalance, disease and toxic effects. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6345 and ANSC 5355. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing.

ARSC 6355. Fish and Wildlife Law and Administration. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced study of legal framework for wildlife conservation and management in the United States and internationally, including its basis in English Common Law and other legal systems, the US and State Constitutional frameworks, important wildlife case law, and major federal laws and international treaties. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6356. Non-Ruminant Nutrition. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced course in nutritional science focusing in integrated nutrient metabolism; digestive physiology, nutritional requirements and nutritional imbalances and subsequent disease states in non-ruminant animals. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6356 and ANSC 5356. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing, ANSC 6345 or equivalent course.

ARSC 6360. Research Methods for Agricultural and Natural Resource Scientists. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Research design, database management, application and evaluation of statistics and statistical modeling approaches, inferences, and presentation of results. Introduction to programming language for statistical computing and graphics. Applicable to students interested in research at the individual or population level, such as observational, behavioral, or experimental studies conducted in the field or laboratory. Basic understanding of statistical analyses strongly recommended. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6360 and WSES 5360. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6361. Physiology of Lactation. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Systematic overview of lactation physiology using dairy cattle as the main model. Course topics will include mammary gland anatomy, milk secretion, mammary gland development and disease impacts. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6361 and ANSC 5360. Prerequisites: doctoral standing.

ARSC 6365. Minerals and Vitamins in Animal Nutrition. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An in-depth study of vitamin and mineral chemistry, metabolism, interrelationships, and requirements for production in livestock animals. Prerequisite: Graduate student-PhD classification.

ARSC 6370. Advanced Applied Quantitative Methods. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced application of quantitative techniques used to support managerial decision-making and resource allocation. Exposure to mathematical and statistical tools (regression analysis, mathematical modeling, simulation) used in economic analysis in agribusiness.

ARSC 6380. Research Writing for Agriculture and Natural Resources. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Preparation of writing samples, technical reviews, and/or professional manuscripts related to various topics in agriculture or natural resources. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6380 and WSES 5380. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 6405. Ecological Modeling for Natural Resource Management. 4 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

An advanced course in the use of computer simulations to model and analyze ecological systems. Based on a firm foundation of system theory, the course addresses the conceptual design, building, evaluation, and testing of simulation models; and the use of models to answer ecological questions. Credit will not be awarded for both ANRS 6405 and WSES 5405. Prerequisites: Doctoral standing in Animal and Range Science.

ARSC 7088. Dissertation. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 6 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Scheduled when the student is ready to begin the thorough and scholarly investigation of a topic acceptable to the dissertation committee. The dissertation must provide evidence that the candidate has pursued a coherent program of research related to the student’s area(s) of academic specialization, the results of which reveal academic excellence and which make an original contribution to the discipline. Prerequisites: Doctoral Standing.