Agriculture Animal Science
14 courses · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
AGAS-01 Elements of Animal Science
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AG-AS 104
This course is a survey of the livestock industry, supply of animal products, and their uses in animal production. There is a special emphasis on the origin, characteristics, adaptation, and contributions of farm animals to the agriculture industry. The student will analyze the economic trends and career opportunities in animal agriculture. Field trips will be required. (10/21)
AGAS-02 Livestock Breeding and Selection
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course combines the study of basic genetic principles with the study of the anatomical and physiological aspects of reproduction as they relate to animal species significant to agriculture. The genetic principles to be emphasized include basic inheritance, selection techniques, mating systems, heterosis, and performance evaluation. The reproductive aspects to include endocrinology, estrous cycles, mating behaviors, gametogenesis, conception, gestation, parturition, and maternal behaviors. Artificial insemination, embryo manipulation, and current innovations in reproductive biotechnology will also be examined. (10/21)
AGAS-03 Animal Disease and Parasite Control
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course of animal health and sanitation will provide instruction to the student on common livestock diseases and fundamentals of immunity. It will also include coverage of the livestock worker’s role in promoting animal health and the foundation of disease control programs. (10/19)
AGAS-04 Elements of Animal Nutrition
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture; 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AG-AS 132 L
The science of animal nutrition is the basis for “Livestock Feeding and Nutrition.” The fundamentals of digestion and absorption in both ruminants and non-ruminants are discussed in this course. The nutritive value of feeds as they relate to the formulation of livestock rations will be emphasized, including by-product feeding. (10/21)
AGAS-10 Meat Science
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is an introduction to the meat industry with a special emphasis on meat products and value added meat processing techniques. It includes concepts of food safety, grading and inspection along with preservation and marketing strategies to meet current consumer demands. (10/21)
AGAS-11 Horse Husbandry
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This is a survey of the equine industry encompassing the evolution and role of the equine species throughout history, breed selection and development, nutrition, diseases, preventive health, reproductive management, basic horsemanship, and stabling alternatives. (10/21)
AGAS-12 Beef Production
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AG-AS 108 L
This is a study of principles and practices of purebred and commercial beef cattle production throughout the world, United States, and California. There will be emphasis placed on the importance of breeds, breeding principles, selection, nutrition, environmental management, health, marketing, and record keeping to ensure scientifically-based management decisions and consumer product acceptance as applied to beef cattle. (10/21)
AGAS-13 Sheep and Meat Goat Science
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a survey of the sheep and meat goat industry including management of commercial, purebred and small farm flocks; selecting, feeding, breeding and basic care of the herd animals plus the marketing and economics of lambs, wool, and kids. (10/21)
AGAS-14 Swine Production
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This is a study of the principles and practices of purebred and commercial pork production throughout California, the United States, and the world. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of breeds, breeding principles, selection, nutrition, environmental management, health, marketing, and record keeping to ensure scientifically-based management decisions and consumer product acceptance. (10/21)
AGAS-15 Elements of Dairy
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AG-AS 112L
This is a study of history, development, and projections of the dairy industry. General information on the economics of dairying, facts, trends, selection, culling, fitting, showing, judging, pedigrees, feeding, and basic management skills will be learned and also information on employment opportunities and requirements. (10/21)
AGAS-16 Fitting, Showing, and Merchandising Livestock
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1 hours lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed for students to develop skills in preparing and marketing beef cattle, sheep, swine, dairy cattle, and goats for competition at intercollegiate livestock competitions. Lessons in exhibiting the animals are given. *The course may be repeated three times. (10/21)
AGAS-24 Work Experience in Animal Science
- Units
- 1-8
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course enables students to earn college credit for learning or improving skills or knowledge on-the-job specific to the field of animal science. Students must work or volunteer 54 hours per unit of credit attempted. Students must have an established work site in the animal science or related field prior to enrolling in the course. (02/24)
AGAS-40 Beginning Horsemanship (Western)
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is a course that deals with the handling and schooling of a horse from the ground, in addition to basic fundamentals of riding. Safety factors for both horse and rider will be emphasized. Other areas of the course will include the proper use of equipment and aids. (10/21)
AGAS-41 Intermediate Horsemanship (Western)
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- AGAS-40
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is a class in intermediate western riding which will enable a person to school a horse, teach beginning riding, or train another rider in schooling. The student will obtain a working knowledge of the judging of horse shows and obligations involved in the judging of different events. A rider in this class is expected to be able to give a creditable performance in a standard AHSA or AQHA horse show. (10/21)