Projects
Swine Science Online
What is Swine Science Online?
Swine Science Online is the first ever online undergraduate program in swine science. Swine Science Online offers education and training of future pork professionals to benefit the pork industry by inspiring a career interest through academic training and application. The Swine Science Online vision is to ensure that the Pork Industry is led and managed by individuals who have broad educational and production experiences which have prepared them for these roles. Course work revolves around practical pork production and current pork industry issues. Swine Science Online teaches scientific principles and management skills involved in pork production for an efficient and sustainable operation.
What are the goals of the Swine Science Online Program?
The ultimate goal of the Swine Science Online Program is to have more academically trained students entering the pork industry. After completing required and elective courses students will be able to apply for a Swine Science Online Certificate that is administered by the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence.
What careers might I pursue with a Swine Science Online certificate?
Swine Genetic Sales Consultant
Regional Swine Sales Manager
Swine Communications Coordinator
Swine Building Construction
Swine Pharmaceuticals
Swine Production Management
Swine Feed Sales
*Find more career information from the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence and National Pork Board:
www.porkgateway.org or pork.org/careers
What courses will be offered?
Basic Swine Science (2 cr.)
Basic disciplines and concepts involved in swine production including: industry structure, trends and statistics; production phases and buildings; genetic improvement; reproduction; nutrition; health and biosecurity; nutrient management; marketing and meat quality; and career opportunities in the swine industry.
Swine Breeding and Gestation Management (1 cr.)
Concepts related to: reproductive physiology and endocrinology of boars and sows; genetic selection programs; development programs for future replacement gilts and boars; semen collection, evaluation, and preparation; detection of estrus and artificial insemination; pregnancy diagnosis; feeding and housing programs for gestating sows; environmental management; records; diseases; and development of quality assurance programs for identifying and solving reproductive problems.
Farrowing Management (1 cr.)
Advanced integration and application of reproductive management
concepts during farrowing and lactation. Identification of production trends; formulation of strategies to improve productivity; and parturition and neonatal management.
Swine Nursery and Finishing Management (1 cr.)
Overview of the critical management, housing, and financial considerations relevant to the successful operation of a swine nursery, grow-finish, or wean to finish enterprise, including: nutrient requirements; building and facility management; and marketing.
Internship in the Swine Industry (1 cr.)
Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice and actual service in a swine production operation.
Employee Management for the Swine Industry (1 cr.)
Effective employee management in swine production units. Assist students in understanding the principles, policies, and practices related to procurement, development, maintenance, and utilization of employees.
Contemporary Issues in the Swine Industry (1 cr.)
Evaluation of issues facing today’s swine industry including: welfare, nutrient management, and food safety and security. Development of skills needed for effective community relations such as media interviews and message points.
Swine Business and Records Analysis (1 cr.)
Evaluation of swine operations using farm and enterprise records, budgeting, and financial analysis and benchmarks.
Swine Health and Biosecurity (1 cr.)
Overview of standard biosecurity protocols and identification of behavior and clinical signs of illness in pigs. Treatment administration and prevention methods. Introduction to immune system function and basic swine disease transmission.
Pork Export Markets (1 cr.)
Introduction to global markets; cultural preferences and customs associated with the pork export markets. International trade regulations and potential impact of foreign animal diseases and bioterrorism affecting the U.S. swine industry.
Marketing and Risk Management in the Swine Industry (1 cr.)
A comprehensive view of industry structure and trends and marketing options available in the swine industry. Management of risk between markets and/or contracts.
Swine Environment Management (1 cr.)
Response of swine to thermal environment, ventilation system design and analysis, heating and cooling systems and examples of various designs for all phases of production. Troubleshooting ventilation systems and energy analysis of production units.
Swine Manure and Nutrient Management (1 cr.)
Function, application, and advantages and disadvantages of nutrient management systems. Manure production rates, manure handling systems, storage and manure management planning for land application and odor mitigation strategies.
Pork Product and Quality Safety (1 cr.)
Pre- and post-harvest factors affecting pork product quality and safety. Overview of pork harvesting process and traits and characteristics of quality pork products.
Swine Feed Mill Management (1 cr.)
Principles of feed manufacturing, equipment operation, feed and ingredient quality assurance and regulatory compliance in a modern feed milling operation. Overview of feed mill
regulations and safety.
What courses are required for a Swine Science Online certificate?
Required Courses
- Basic Swine Science (2 credits)
- Basic Lab Course (1 credit)
- Swine Health and Biosecurity (1 credit)
- Employee Management for the Swine Industry (1 credit)
- Production Internship in the Swine Industry (1 credit)
- Production Management Course (Choose ONE)
o Swine Breeding and Gestation Management (1 credit)
o Farrowing Management (1 credit)
o Swine Industry and Finishing Management (1 credit)
Elective Courses (Choose 4 Courses)
- Swine Feed Mill Management (1 credit)
- Marketing and Risk Management in the Pork Industry (1 credit)
- Pork Product Quality and Safety (1 credit)
- Pork Export Markets (1 credit)
- Swine Environment Management (1 credit)
- Contemporary Issues in the Swine Industry (1 credit)
- Swine Manure and Nutrient Management (1 credit)
- Advanced Lab Course (1 credit)
- Production Management Course (able to take other two not taken as required course)
o Swine Breeding and Gestation Management (1 credit)
o Farrowing Management (1 credit)
o Swine Industry and Finishing Management (1 credit)
Can I test out of a course if I have already taken it elsewhere?
It is possible that a student may have already taken one or more of these courses or their equivalent for another degree or certificate program. The student must obtain approval by their advisor to obtain credit.
I'd like to ask a different question about Swine Science Online. Whom do I contact?
Maggie DenBeste
Program Coordinator
US Pork Center of Excellence
mdenbest@iastate.edu
515-294-5231
Funding:
The long-term funds will come through Ag*Idea. The Fall of 2010 common price per undergraduate credit is $320. Through Ag*Idea that money is split as follows: 75% to the teaching institution; 12.5% to Ag*Idea; and 12.5% to the institution that the student comes from.
The breakdown is as follows for a 1 credit SSO course:
• $240 to the institution where the professor teaching the course resides (or has adjunct privileges)
• $40 to where the student resides
• $40 to Ag*Idea