Animal Science Department

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

Student Information

 

Courses & Enterprise Classes

Photograph of students with professor teaching

ASCI Department - Tentative Course Offerings

check when ASCI and DSCI classes are being offered: 

 

Enterprise Courses

ASCI 290 & ASCI 490

What is an enterprise class?

Enterprise courses allow students to apply what they have learned in class to real-world situations. These courses provide the environment for students to get outside the classroom and work with the animals in teams of students. Students can choose from over twenty enterprise classes ranging from breeding and foaling horses to developing and manufacturing meat products like beef jerky and sausage. By participating in the enterprises classes, students learn animal-handling skills and production practices while developing transferable skills in communication, team building and conflict management. Upon graduation, students enter the job market not only with a comprehensive knowledge of animal science, but also the confidence and experience needed to prepare for a successful career.

Information about enterprises available to freshmen and transfer students is provided in ASCI 101: Introduction to the Animal Sciences. 

Enterprise Classes:

Course/Enterprise Applications:

 

ASCI Course Applications

Department Courses that require applications

 

Internship Credit

ASCI 339 or ASCI 478

An excellent way for students to gain experience is to participate in an internship in their field of interest. Students planning to take part of an internship may sign up for ASCI 339 and use the units to count as towards their degree and/or as Free Electives. Pre-planned internships can even be used as senior projects, ASCI 478 (for more information, see Senior Projects).

Please note: A maximum of 6 units of credit in supervisory courses (i.e., internship, enterprise, special problems, etc. ) can be counted toward the degree (these units are usually counted in the Advisor-Approved Career Elective Area). Units in excess of 6 units in supervisory courses must be counted as Free Electives. Any deviation from the above will require advisor and department chair approval.

Internship Guidelines:

  • All internships must be approved before doing the internship. No credit will be given for an internship that was not approved prior to doing the internship. 
  • Completed internship applications must be submitted to the Internship Coordinator no later than Monday the 9th week of classes the quarter prior to the quarter of the intended internship.
  • Internships must be completed in same Quarter in which student has registered per University Policy.
  • Internships may be paid or unpaid.
  • Enrollment for ASCI 339 is done through the ASCI Internship Coordinator, Dr. Ike Kang in conjunction with the Animal Science Dept. Office. 
  • Enrollment for ASCI 478 is coordinated by the Faculty advisor of your choosing, the project must be approved by said faculty member and department head. This project is typically presented to the department faculty or other public forum as a condition of completion. 
  • Students on multi-quarter internships may receive an RP (report in progress) grade until the final quarter of the internship when a CR or NC grade is assigned after receipt of the final report. In some cases a written Preliminary Progress Report may be required of the student in order to receive a CR grade. 
  • Students on full-time internships for a complete quarter may sign up for a maximum of 12 units during the quarter they are on internship. Students on a part-time internship may sign up for a maximum of 6 units during the quarter they are on internship.
  • Units will be awarded based on hours worked throughout the internship: 12 units = 360 hours/quarter, 6 units = 180 hours/quarter, 4 units = 120 hours/quarter, 2 units = 60 hours/quarter. 
  • Internships are graded Credit (CR)/No Credit (NC). To receive a grade of CR, the student must submit the internship report and the host’s evaluation form to the Internship Coordinator in the Animal Science Department by the last day of classes, week 10. 

Internship Credit Applications: 

Two options for Internship Credit

Senior Project

ASCI 477, ASCI 478, or ASCI 479

The senior project is a required capstone course for all Cal Poly students. Students develop project ideas while consulting faculty advisers, and these ideas should generally reflect students’ interests in a particular animal-based discipline or species. Senior projects can be a research project, an in-depth literature review, an advanced enterprise management experience, or a pre-planned educational internship. Whatever the type of project, students are encouraged to choose project topics that are challenging, incorporate knowledge and skills learned in the past courses, provide opportunity for independent thought, and can be accomplished with the provided facilities, animals, equipment, materials and time.

Fulfilling the Senior Project Requirement in ASCI and DSCI

In the Animal Science Department, the Senior Project can be met through completing any one of three options-ASCI 477 or 478 or 479. Each approaches the senior project experience a little differently and, therefore, will appeal to students in different ways. Completion of any ONE of these, however, will fulfill the Senior Project requirement.

ASCI 477. Senior Project - Research Experience in Animal Science. 3 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: Senior standing, ASCI 363 and consent of instructor. Recommended: one course in statistics.

Independent research experience in a specific area of animal science conducted under faculty supervision. Satisfies senior project requirement. Minimum 90 hours required. This course (477) typically involves work done in a research capacity within the activities and/or laboratory of the faculty member. Projects and responsibilities are variable according to the type of research being performed.

ASCI 478. Senior Project - Advanced Internship Experience in Animal Science. 3 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: ASCI 363 and senior standing and approval by Faculty advisor of your choice. 

Independent internship experience conducted under faculty supervision focusing on a discipline area of animal science. Completion of a project as a component of the internship. Satisfies senior project requirement. Minimum 90 hours required. Under the 478 option, students participate in an internship which includes the completion of a project approved by the faculty member and department head. This project is typically presented to the department faculty or other public forum as a condition of completion. An application is available from the ASCI Department office.

ASCI 479. Senior Project - Current Topics in Animal Science. 3 units

Term Typically Offered: F, SP

Prerequisite: Senior standing and ASCI 363.

Critical evaluation and formal presentation of current issues facing animal agriculture. Evaluation of current topics, analysis of supporting evidence and logic, and synthesis and formal presentation of the resulting perspectives on different approaches to current challenges. 3 lectures. This option is a structured course in which students complete a series of assignments, write one or more papers, deliver presentations and participate in debates relative to current topics in Animal Science.

 

 

 

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