Animal Science
https://www.linnbenton.edu/future-students/explore-lb/programs/animal-science.php
Animal Technology
LBCC is the only community college in the Willamette Valley with an Animal Technology program. The program uses the community as a natural instructional laboratory and provides students with knowledge and skills useful for working in production livestock occupations and in entering into livestock-related fields. Some coursework may transfer to a four-year institution.
Farm and ranch workers need to have a basic understanding of livestock feeding and nutrition, reproduction, health care and disease prevention, animal identification methods, farm accounting, and be able to make prudent decisions based on current economics. Besides a basic understanding of the aforementioned subjects, they may also need the practical skills to operate machinery and repair fencing, corrals, barn structures, and watering systems.
Owners of large farms may hire farm managers to oversee most farm activities or focus on a single activity, such as calving. These managers supervise and direct other workers and many make critical production decisions. They may set farm production goals and identify appropriate marketing strategies to maximize profitability. They consider weather predictions, animal disease potential in their area, commodity pricing, and federal farm programs. They must decide when to plant, what to grow, and what type of equipment and supplies to purchase. To start new ventures, farmers and farm managers negotiate and secure bank loans. They must keep good financial records and understand federal and state regulations.
LBCC’s Animal Technology courses are designed to provide practical learning experiences through hands-on laboratory sessions. Students already employed in specific agricultural fields can upgrade or add to their skill set.
Animal and Equine Science
The Agricultural Sciences Department offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Horse Management. The AAS degree provides students with knowledge and skills useful in entering occupations in the horse industry. Some of the coursework may transfer to a four-year institution. The program uses the local horse community as a natural instructional laboratory, and the courses provide extensive, practical, hands-on experience. The program maintains and operates a small training and breeding facility at which a limited number of student horses may be boarded. The college’s seven-acre horse facility is located 1.5 miles from campus.
Job opportunities are varied, depending on the specific interest of the student. Typical jobs open to students completing the Horse Management degree program include equine veterinary assistant, exercise rider, apprentice trainer, facility manager, foaling attendant, breeding assistant and general farm hand. Many students are already working on family horse ranches or at agricultural jobs when they enter the program.
The department also offers two Associate of Science degrees designed to assist students planning to transfer to Oregon State University (OSU) or another four-year school with an animal science or equine science program; an Animal Science emphasis, Associate of Science degree and an Equine Science emphasis, Associate of Science degree. Students completing the degree requirements will be prepared to enroll in upper-division coursework. It is important that you identify the program requirements of the institution that you plan on transferring to and focus on those classes at LBCC. You may want to consult with two advisors; one at LBCC and a second at the school you intend to transfer to. This will ensure you will be taking the courses that will satisfy the lower-division program requirements at that university.
Program Requirements
Animal Technology, AAS
The Animal Technology program is designed to be completed in two years.
In preparation for the Animal Technology program, high school students should study mathematics, life sciences and physical sciences. Program completion requires a minimum of four credits of math and eight credits of biology, plus other Related Instruction courses, and courses related to speech/oral communication, first aid.
Students can take Related Instruction courses at night, but the technical classes are only offered during the day. Part-time enrollment is common; students may start in the middle of the school year or enroll for any portion of the program.
Animal Technology: Horse Management, AAS
Students entering the Animal Technology: Horse Management program should have a firm background in life and physical sciences and should be prepared to take courses in mathematics and biology.
A mandatory riding evaluation is given at the start of the program to enable proper placement in courses.
The Animal Technology: Horse Management program is designed to be completed in two years. Program completion requires a minimum of 4 credits of math and 8 credits of biology, plus Related Instruction courses such as English composition, speech, and social sciences.
Animal Science, AS and Equine Science, AS
The Animal Science emphasis, Associate of Science degree and Equine Science emphasis, Associate of Science degree are designed to be completed in two years.
Entering students will progress at a faster rate if they have a firm background in life and physical sciences as well as mathematics. Program completion requires math, chemistry, biology and other baccalaureate core perspectives courses. Note: College Chemistry is different than General Chemistry. Oregon State University (OSU) accepts College Chemistry, however, if transferring to a school other than OSU please consult with an advisor for appropriate chemistry requirement.
A cross-section of lower-division agriculture electives are available, providing practical instructional experiences in animal science, economics, and crop production. The electives within the Animal Science program are intended to assist students in completing specific programs at Oregon State University within Animal Science Option areas. Students should select electives only after consulting with an advisor.
Facilities
Classes are conducted in modern, well-equipped classrooms and laboratories. Emphasis is placed on hands-on experience, and many classes utilize the local livestock producers for in-the-field laboratory exercises. Computers, microscopes and other modern lab equipment are available for student use. The college supplies equipment and tools for use during lab sessions.
The training classes are conducted in a modern barn with indoor arena, 28 box stalls and washing and grooming facilities. Students bringing horses to school may board them at the LBCC barn.