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Strengthening
the Teaching Program in Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Constantine
L. Fenderson, Kieu V. Vo, and Anthony D. Peterson
Cooperative
Agricultural Research Program
Seminar Series
Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN
February 24,
1999
Introduction. Agricultural biotechnology
advancements are moving at a rapid pace. However, the training of future
animal scientists and pre-veterinarians at TSU is not keeping pace. This
project was designed to evaluate and restructure the animal
science/pre-veterinary medicine curriculum at TSU and to increase the
pool of well-trained minority scientists.
Objectives. 1) To review/upgrade the current
curriculum in animal science/pre-veterinary medicine. 2) To provide
opportunities for faculty enhancement. 3) To improve instructional
delivery system. 4) To provide opportunities for student experiential
learning. 5) To increase student enrollment from 26 to 50 undergraduates
in three years with emphasis on minority recruitment.
Methodology. 1) Curriculum Design/Material
Development: a curriculum committee was established to review the
curriculum and make recommendations for changes. The committee was
composed of representatives from the University of Tennessee, Tuskegee
University, Middle Tennessee State University, USDA/APHIS, Tyson Foods
and TSU. 2) Faculty Preparation and Enhancement: faculty members
attended professional meetings and workshops. 3) Instructional Delivery
System: laboratory equipment, teaching aids and other materials were
purchased to augment classroom teaching. Consultants were to be hired to
install equipment and train faculty. 4) Student Experiential Learning:
field trips; research training by CARP researchers; internships and
cooperative education arrangements with USDA agencies and private
industry. 5) Student Recruitment and Retention: funds to provide
scholarships to attract talented minority students to TSU's animal
science/pre-veterinary medicine program and to provide tutors for
students with problems in difficult courses.
Results. The curriculum committee met and
reviewed the current animal science/pre-veterinary curriculum.
Recommendations were made concerning the various co-requisite courses
and the content and number of concentration courses. Faculty attended
professional meetings and seminars. Consultants installed new equipment
and trained faculty in their operation. $60,000+ of new laboratory
equipment was purchased. Multi-media equipment and computers were
purchased and used in improving instructional delivery. Students were
taken on several field trips to farms, county fairs, processing plants
and schools of veterinary medicine and were given the opportunity to
co-op or intern with several USDA agencies and private industry. Several
students were awarded scholarships over the life of the project.
Criteria for scholarships were based on 3.0 GPA and 21 ACT for high
school students and 2.70 GPA for transfer students.
Impact. We were able to attract some very
good students who remained on the Dean's List every semester or
graduated Cum Laude. Our curriculum is stronger and now produces a
better-trained student for veterinary school, graduate school, and the
workforce.
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