Course Syllabus for Animal Science I

Ayden-Grifton High School Agriculture Department

Instructor Information
Instructor: Mrs. Nicole Fulcher
Room: 608
Email: [email protected]
School Telephone: 252-746-4183 Ext: 5748
Planning: 3rd Period
Course Overview
This course provides instruction focused on the basic scientific principles and processes that are
involved in animal physiology, breeding, nutrition, and care in preparation for an animal science career
major. Topics include an introduction to animal science, animal nutrition, animal science issues, career
opportunities, and animal evaluation. Skills in biology, chemistry, and algebra are reinforced in this
course. Supervised Agricultural Experience programs and FFA leadership activities are integral
components of the course and provide many opportunities for practical application of instructional
competencies.
Course Outline
1. Leadership & Supervised Agricultural Experience
2. Animal Evaluation
3. Animal Agriculture & Management
4. Animal Physiology
Course Objectives
1. Provide all students with a foundation of animal knowledge, common vocabulary, and skills.
2. Develop the leadership potential of students, while providing a variety of experience that will
increase marketability to employers.
3. Gain a general knowledge of common equipment, facilities, and practices utilized in various aspects
of animal science.
4. Develop a firm understanding of common breeds and opportunities throughout the North Carolina
animal science industry.
Course Text
There are several sources of information for this course; the primary text used is Modern Livestock and
Poultry Production 8th Edition. A classroom copy of the text is available for student use in the course.
Students will not be assigned a text for the course. If there is an assignment where the student will need
a textbook over night, they may check one out with the instructor.
Materials Required
3-ring binder
Notebook paper
Pencil/pen

Academic Information
Grade Scale: A= 100-90

B= 89-80

C= 79-70

D= 69-60

F= 59-

Late Assignments: we will follow the standard school policy for late work in this class. Students will
lose 10 points per day for up to three days per assignment.
Make-Up Assignments: Students must comply with all rules regarding absences in the school handbook.
Makeup work will be given for excused absences, and can be picked up either a few days prior to, or
immediately following an absence. All work should be submitted within 3 school days of the absence or
will be considered late. Under certain circumstances missed lab work may need to be completed before
or after school; however, this is left to the discretion of the instructor.
Grading Procedures
Students grades will come from several areas including: tests, assignments, shop/lab work, group work,
and Supervised Agricultural Experience Program
30% - Tests
25% - Quizzes
25% - Projects
20% - Classwork/Homework
Retests: Students are allowed to retake all tests as long as they attend a tutorial to review before the
retake. Any test that a student receives below a 70 is required to be retaken. The new score will replace
the old score.
All students of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are required to take the NC CTE PostAssessment at the end of the semester. This exam will be the final exam for the class and will count for
25% of the students final grade. Seniors are not exempt from the CTE Post-Assessment.
Charger Academy
This enhancement program of the Charger Academy enables our teachers to focus additional instruction
outside the regular school day on specific skill sets in which students are not demonstrating proficiency.
Teachers use common assessments to rapidly identify power standards in which students need
additional instruction. Identified students are assigned to Charger Academy, where they are provided
with small group instruction, and then allowed to retake a revised version of the test. Targeted
instruction allows our students to work towards mastery and become proficient on the standards
addressed within the assessment.
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)
Students in Animal Science I are required to have an on-going Supervised Agricultural Experience. An
SAE is a program in which students perform activities, related to classroom instruction, after school
hours. 15 hours of an SAE will be required at the end of the semester and a paper/presentation on the
SAE made. The SAE will be graded on several components. The components are AET Tracker updates,
Record Book Submission, and Paper/Project Presentation. Students are encouraged to keep up with their
leadership activities through the semester in their Record Books in order to better prepare themselves for
filling out scholarships and job applications. Ideas for this will be given out in class during the first few
weeks of school. More information on SAE project will be given later.

FFA (Student Organization)

FFA Activities are an integral part of the learning experience in Agricultural Education. Students will be
exposed to the FFA during this course. All students are highly encouraged, but not required to participate
in the FFA Organization. Some opportunities offered by the FFA are local activities, career development
events, travel and awards (scholarships). The local chapter meets every month with a banquet in May.

Class Guidelines
Rules
1. Be in the classroom and seated when the bell rings.
2. Be prepared for class.
3. Be respectful to others.
4. Be courteous and keep workstation clean.
5. Be a good listener and follow directions.
6. Follow ALL school rules and procedures
Consequences
1. First time a rule is broken: reminder to the class.
2. Second time: Warning to student
3. Third time: Conference with student Parent Contact
4. Fourth time: Send to ISS, Parent contact
5. Severe: Sent to Assistant Principal/ISS
Rewards
Students who comply with the rules receive:
1. Praise
2. Positive notes sent home
4. Ag Opportunities/Field Trips

Parent/Guardian and Student Contract

I have read and understand the Course Syllabus for Animal Science I that was presented on the first day
of class by Mrs. Fulcher and can be found on http://nicolefulcher.weebly.com. I am satisfied with the
course schedule, grading procedures, discipline procedures, and requirements for which the students of
Animal Science I will be held responsible. If I have any questions regarding the outline, I will contact
Mrs. Fulcher for more information and clarification. Furthermore, I understand by county school board
policy, it is the students responsibility to ask the teacher for make-up work and have all missing
assignments completed within 3 days of absence, either excused and unexcused. I also understand that
the students of this course are required to be prepared every time they are in class which includes a #2
pencil on test days, a pen or pencil every day and blank notebook paper every day.
Safety is a primary concern in the agriculture department. Students will be using computers and
equipment for various course activities. It is imperative that students be aware of their surroundings and
others around them while using this equipment. Students should not engage in rough housing with other
students or play around with the equipment. Although our students are high school level, we still expect
them to follow basic safety rules and exercise common sense within our classrooms, greenhouse, and
shop areas. In addition to being safe, we expect students to handle their equipment appropriately at all
times. If equipment is broken due to the student rough housing or playing around, they will be expected
to pay for the equipment or work in the agriculture department to pay off what they owe.

Students: I have read this Contract and understand it. I will honor it while in the agriculture department.
Signature:

Date:

Parent/Guardian: My child has discussed this plan with me. I understand it and will support the
agriculture department.
Signature:

Date:

SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE (SAE)

Project Guidelines:

Supervised Agricultural Experience is an integral part of the Agriculture program and to get
every student involved, each student is required to develop and complete a project. This project is a
major component of the grade in this course. While many of the projects that we complete in this class
will be done during class time, this is a project that is to be completed outside of class and must deal
with Agriculture; preferably a topic in animal science for this specific course. There are several
requirements and students need to read the instructions carefully so that they are able to gain full credit
for all assignments. All of the information, tasks and pictures need to be uploaded to the students
personal AET account that the teacher will provide information to.
Included is a rubric which includes the assignments each student needs to complete for their SAE
project. Each is followed by a brief description of what is required to gain full credit. It is important for
students to know that there is a minimum requirement of 15 hours and 5 pictures to be completed on the
SAE project and this needs to be reflected in both the project proposal as well as in the written record.
It is important to remember that this is a project that should last the entire semester. Due to the
nature of the requirements students need to keep accurate records, notes and document their efforts as
they progress with their project. Extra credit may be given for students who go above and beyond on
their SAE project, as well as any leadership opportunities that students complete during the semester.
This form needs to be turned in no later than _________________ and signed by a parent or guardian.

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: _________________________DATE: __________________

STUDENT SIGNATURE: _________________________ DATE: ___________________

TEACHER SIGNATURE/APPROVAL: ________________________DATE: __________________

REQUIREMENTS:
1 page project proposal (Due

Details what the project is going to be

Names the type of SAE the project falls into
Estimates the number of hours the student plans to work on the project (minimum 15)
Names any supplies that may be needed for the project (how much they will be, how they will
get the supplies, etc.)

Written records of hours and activities (1 quarter- Due October

st

Short explanation of what was completed on the project

A detailed record of hours spent working on the SAE project
Completed SAE record book-

Written records of hours and activities (2 quarter Due May

nd

Completed SAE record book

A detailed record of hours spent working on the SAE project
Short explanation of what was completed on the project

Final submission (Due______________)

Should provide a statement of the beginning goals of the project

Overview of the project

What was accomplished
What would/should have been done differently
Describe the overall experience (is this a continuing project, was it enjoyable, etc.)
All of the information, tasks and pictures need to be uploaded to the students personal AET
account that the teacher will provide information to.

Special Notes
-

Students will be given time in class to update electronic and paper record books. Students may
update the AET Tracker at school, at home, or anywhere there is internet connection.
The AET Tracker will complete many of the written reports needed for the class (such as the
Completed Record Book). The expectations set forth for the completed record book will be shard
during the class instruction on SAE and the AET Tracker.
Opportunities for students to complete the SAE Project requirement will be afforded before and
after school. These opportunities are given for students who may not have access to other ways
of completing the project. Please consult with the instructor for more information on these
opportunities.
Any questions, please email me at [email protected]