Swine Science Online – Courses

Advanced Swine Science (2 credit)
An in depth application of basic concepts covered in Basic Swine Science, focused on the scientific principles to the economical and sustainable production of pork. Detailed analysis of benchmarking, production systems, reproduction, pig flow, ventilation and herd health are discussed. Students will become knowledgeable regarding the science, complexity, and technology applied in modern swine production businesses.

Basic Swine Science (2 credits)
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.

Basic Swine Science – Syllabus

Swine Breeding and Gestation Management (1 credit)
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.

Breeding and Gestation Management – Syllabus

Farrowing Management (1 credit)
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.

Farrowing Management – Syllabus

Swine Nursery and Finishing Management (1 credit)
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 credit)
Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice and actual service in a swine production operation.

Internship Course – Syllabus

Employee Management for the Swine Industry (1 credit)
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.

Employee Management for the Swine Industry – Syllabus

Contemporary Issues in the Swine Industry (1 credit)
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.

Contemporary Issues in the Swine Industry – Syllabus

Swine Health and Biosecurity (1 credit)
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.

Swine Health and Biosecurity – Syllabus

Pork Export Markets (1 credit)
Introduction to global markets; cultural preferences and differences in production costs and profitability among pork producing countries.

Marketing and Risk Management in the Swine Industry (1 credit)
Describe industry structure, markets, and risk that characterize the US swine sector. Review futures and options markets and contracts and their use to manage risks in US swine production.

Marketing and Risk Management – Syllabus

Swine Environment Management (1 credit)
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 Environment Management – Syllabus

Swine Manure and Nutrient Management (1 credit)
Function, application, and advantages and disadvantages of different manure management systems. Class discusses manure production rate, benefits and drawbacks associated with different manure handling systems, and manure and nutrient management planning for land application and crop production. Methods of manure storage, treatment, and odor mitigation strategies are also discussed.

Swine Manure and Nutrient Management – Syllabus

Pork Product and Quality Safety (1 credit)
Pre- and post-harvest factors affecting pork product quality and safety. Overview of pork harvesting process and traits and characteristics of quality pork products.

Pork Product and Records Analysis – Syllabus

Swine Feed Mill Management (1 credit)
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.

Feed Mill Management – Syllabus

Swine Nutrition (1 credit)
Principles of developing and implementing a swine feeding program. Fundamentals of feeding pigs; including nutrients, factors affecting nutrient recommendations, feeding systems and management, feed ingredients, and formulation of swine diets.

Swine Nutrition – Syllabus