ANS 105 Introduction to Companion Animals, Spring 2006
11:20 – 12:10 in David Clark Labs Room 101
Instructor: Kimberly Ange

919-515-4218; e-mail: kim_ange@ncsu.edu

Office: 111-C Polk Hall

Call or e-mail for appointment:

(very flexible to meet your schedule needs, typically Tuesdays and Fridays are the best days to schedule meetings and I am usually not on campus on Thursdays)

Teaching Assistants (all office hours in Polk 111):

Taylor Higgins: tjhiggin@unity.ncsu.edu ; Wed. 1:30 – 3:30

Jessica Hubbard: jahubbar@ncsu.edu ; Mon. 10:10 – 11:10 & 12:15 – 1:15

Anna Turner: aeturner@ncsu.edu ; W & F: 10:10 – 11:10

This is a General Education Requirement (GER) course for science, technology and society & natural science majors.  GER objectives can be found at: http://www.ncsu.edu/undergrad_affairs/assessment/files/ger/ger_objective_update.pdf

Natural science course objectives are listed as:   Each course will provide instruction and guidance that help the student to:

1. use the methods and processes of science in testing hypotheses, solving

problems and making decisions; and

2. articulate, make inferences from, and apply to problem solving, scientific concepts, principles, laws, and theories.

Science, technology & society course objectives are listed as: Each course will provide instruction and guidance that help students to:

1. develop an understanding of the mutual relationships between science or technology and societies, including the effects of or the effects on cultures, values, industries, governments, or other facets of those societies; and

2. develop an ability to critically evaluate information regarding these mutual relationships, recognizing that the information may come from a variety of sources and perspectives.

Course Justification:

Companion animals are often considered family members. It has been estimated that 64 million American homes have pets including 78 million cats, 65 million dogs, 192 million fish, 40 million birds, 13 million small animals (rabbits, hamsters and gerbils) and 8 million reptiles. This course surveys the variation available in companion animals (dog breeds, cat breeds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, rabbits, pet pigs, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, birds & newer pets such as hedgehogs, prairie dogs & sugar gliders) and then examines related issues in more depth. Biological explanations are stressed for understanding disease states and normal behaviors of companion animals. These explanations are discussed from the point of view of problem behaviors in the home. Students relate very well to this subject because of their past experiences and are well motivated for learning more information about companion animals. This course will help educate the students / public about companion animals so that both the companion animals and their families will be happier and more productive members of society. Hopefully this course will enable students to “pick the pet or breed for them” so that pets and owners stay together!  Current events are also discussed during this course.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will have been introduced to a wide range of companion animals and specific objectives include the following:

1). Recognize the major classes of companion animals;

2). Recognize and know the attributes of many of the breeds of dogs and cats common to the USA;

3). Have an understanding of the living habits and behavior of companion animals and the husbandry methods required to meet the needs of these animals;

4). Have a working knowledge of mammalian anatomy and physiology, especially of dogs and cats;

5). Have a basic understanding of nutrition, reproduction, genetics and diseases of companion animals (especially dogs and cats);

6). Be familiar with the basics of husbandry and training of primarily dogs and cats;

7). Know why problem behaviors can arise in dogs and cats and how to deal with them;

8). Have an understanding of society's view of companion animals and how society has chosen to manage our relationship with these animals;

9). Understand the truly special relationship that exists between humans and companion animals.

GER Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to describe the basic differences and similarities among companion animals & to apply basic scientific principles to understand how these animals function healthily in today’s society.

Grading Information:

Grades will be assigned as follows:

5 in class “announced” quizzes (15 pts each): 75 pts (6 will be given and the lowest can be dropped)

Exam 1: 100 pts.

Exam 2: 100 pts.

Exam 3: 100 pts.

Comprehensive Final: 135 pts.

Attendance is monitored and will be used to determine borderline grades

---

Total: 510 pts.

Letter Grade	Percentage Needed	Letter Grade	Percentage Needed
A+	> 97% of total points	C	71 – 76.9 %
A	91 – 96.9 %	C-	70 – 70.9 %
A-	90 – 90.9 %	D+	67 - 69.9 %
B+	87 – 89.9 %	D	61 – 66.9 %
B	81 - 86.9 %	D-	60 – 60.9 %
B-	80 – 80.9 %	F	<60% of total points
C+	77 – 79.9 %

NCSU Disability Services Statement:

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, 515-7653. http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss/

Statement on Academic Honesty:

All students are expected to become familiar with the University's policy on academic integrity found in the code of Student Conduct and the Honor Pledge described in the brochure on Academic Integrity at NCSU. This information can be obtained from the Department of Student Development located in Harris Hall. The content included in those documents applies to this course. Your signature (written or typed) on a test or an assignment means that you have neither given nor received aid and represents your commitment to honorable and trustworthy behavior that is in the spirit of the Honor Pledge.

Additionally, the following specific requirements will be expected in ANS 105: All tests and assignments are subject to the Honor Pledge. Therefore, the student's signature on any test or assignment means that the student neither gave nor received unauthorized aid.  If you are in doubt regarding any of these requirements please consult with your instructor.  The Honor Pledge is . . . "I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this test or assignment."

Please note that cheating of any kind will not be tolerated in this class or at NCSU. This includes (but is not limited to): 

- Looking at someone else's paper during an exam or quiz; - Allowing someone else to look at your paper during an exam or quiz; - Using notes during an exam or quiz.

To minimize temptation, the following rules may be in effect during exams:

- You may have nothing at your desk except something to write with.

- All books, daypacks, notebooks, etc. must be left at the front /side of the classroom.

- You may not wear any of the following during an exam: hat, sunglasses, Walkman (iPod), etc.

- No talking will be allowed during an exam or quiz.

Attendance & Policies (Please read this carefully):

Please turn cell phone and beeper volumes (all electronic devices) off during lecture.

Obviously, talking, sleeping and reading material not related to class during lecture will not be tolerated and if you repeatedly do so you will be asked to leave the classroom.

Students are expected to be punctual and to attend all classes. Please do not be late and if this becomes a problem for the class, the door may be locked after the lecture begins!

A person who arrives 5 or more minutes after class begins (without prior approval) and a person who leaves class early (without prior approval) is considered absent and will not be able to “make up quizzes”. The roll sheet will be circulated each day in class, and each student must sign his/her own name. Be sure to sign the roll sheet each day! If a question arises as to whether or not a student was in class, the roll sheet is the written record that will be consulted.

Please note: This is a companion animal course. We will occasionally have animals visit our classroom. This may include dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, "pocket pets", birds, snakes, spiders, etc. (Truly anything that is considered a companion animal). All of the animals will be under control at all times and you will never have to touch anything that you do not feel comfortable with. However, an aversion to any companion animal that visits the classroom will not be considered an excused absence!

Exams & Quizzes missed because of unexcused absences will be given a grade of zero. There is NO exception to this rule. In addition, if you arrive late to class you will not be allowed to take the exam or quiz.

Excused absences will be granted only for written and certified: a). University duties or trips, b). Required court attendance, c). Religious observances, d). Verified illness or injury & e). Verified death or serious illness in the family (or very close friend).  Each of these must have a verified note that is brought to the instructor within 1 week of the missed date for them to be considered acceptable!  Do not wait until the end of the semester to bring in notes because they will no longer be accepted.

Routine doctor check-ups (follow-up appointments, yearly eye check-up, routine ObGyn, etc.) and dental appointments are not an excused absence. They should be scheduled outside of class hours.

Missing an exam is very serious. If you are going to miss an exam due to a court appearance, religious holiday, approved NCSU activity or etc. it must be discussed and approved with the instructor in advance.  No exceptions.  If you miss an exam due to illness you must have written verification that you where seen by a physician (that day or the 24 hour period prior too) and it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to work out the details of make-up examinations before the next class period.  If the instructor is not contacted before the exams are graded & returned you will not be able to make up the exam regardless of the excuse.  Therefore, contact your instructor immediately. In case of the final examination, the student needs to schedule a make-up as soon as possible.  If the student does not, then a grade of “Incomplete” will be given. 

Students that are granted an excused absence will not receive the same exam as the students in class receive.

Make-up short quizzes will not be allowed under any circumstance. To accommodate for excused absences … students will be able to drop one quiz score (we will have a least one extra quiz).

Syllabus:
Topics to be covered. Dates are considered to be approximate. Some topics may be covered in more or less detail depending on guest lecturer availability and time allotment.

Day	Date	Topic
M	Jan 9	Introduction to course & survey of animal interests
W	Jan. 11	Dogs and dog behavior
F	Jan. 13	What is a breed? Specifically AKC Breeds — Sporting Group
M	Jan 16	Holiday (No Class)
W	Jan. 18	Guest Lecture: Pet Pigs ?! (Ms. Penny Yocum)
F	Jan. 20	Guest lecture: (Ms. Debra Bonneford from the AKC)
M	Jan. 23	Quiz 1 AKC Breeds - Hound Group & Working Group
W	Jan. 25	AKC Breeds—Working Group & Terrier Group
F	Jan. 27	AKC Breeds—Terrier Group & Toy Group
M	Jan. 30	AKC Breeds—Non-Sport Group & Herding Group
W	Feb. 1	Cats and cat behavior
F	Feb. 3	Quiz 2 Breeds of cats
M	Feb. 6	Breeds of cats, cont.
W	Feb. 8	EXAM 1: Survey of animals, dog & cat behavior, and dog & cat breeds (visual ID included);
F	Feb. 10	Rabbits and Small Pets
M	Feb. 13	Mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, ferrets, & guinea pigs
W	Feb. 15	Guest Lecture: Fish medicine (Dr. Lewbart)
F	Feb. 17	Fish Management
M	Feb. 20	Sugar gliders, Hedgehogs, Prairie dogs, etc.  (New Pets!)
W	Feb. 22	Quiz 3 Bird management
F	Feb. 24	Birds, cont.
M	Feb. 27	Catch up class for earlier material
W	March 1	EXAM 2 --birds, rabbits, mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, ferrets, guinea pigs, fish, exotic pets & guest lecturer materials
F	March 3	Reptiles & Amphibians
M-F	March 6 - 10	Spring Break
M	March 13	Reptiles cont. (Snakes in Particular) as pets
W	March 15	Anatomy (comparative although emphasis on cats & dogs)
F	March 17	Quiz 4 Anatomy, continued
M	March 20	Nutrition of cats and dogs
W	March 22	Nutrition of cats and dogs, cont.
F	March 24	Jessica’s Guest Lecture (Fly-Ball)
M	March 27	Comparative reproduction
W	March 29	Quiz 5 Catch up day
F	March 31	TA guest lecturer
M	April 3	Dog and cat reproduction & Genetics and breeding
W	April 5	Common diseases of primarily cats and dogs
F	April 7	Exam 3 –Reptiles and amphibians, Anatomy and physiology, nutrition, reproduction, & breeding
M	April 10	Diseases continued.  Begin training
W	April 12	TA guest lecturer
F	April 14	Spring Holiday
M	April 17	Guest lecture by Dr. Kemp Covington (Exotic animal veterinarian)
W	April 19	Quiz 6 Training, cont.
F	April 21	Pets and Society: Common problems  Pets and Society: Legal aspects of pet ownership
M	April 24	Animal Concepts
W	April 26	Animal Rights / Animal Welfare lecture
F	April 28	Course Evaluation/ Review (Last day of Class)
M	May 8	Final Exam (8am-11am)

Extra Credit Opportunities:

There will be several extra credit opportunities throughout the semester. Some of these include attendance at:

1. Field of Dreams Cat Show. Feb. 17 – 19. At the Holshouser Building at the NC State Fairgrounds & for more info address: vanadis@concentric.net.

2. The Reptile and Exotic Animal Show at Dorton Arena (NC State Fairgrounds). Admission is $8! For credit for this … you must either have someone sign for you at the gate or keep part of the ticket stub!  Date: May 6 & 7

3. Dog Show: March 21 – March 27. NCSU Fairgrounds Graham Building

For more info regarding the fairgrounds activities please look at the website: http://www.ncstatefair.org/events/calendar.htm

For each verified attendance at an accepted extra credit opportunity, 2 points will be added to your final grade total.  For example if you have 4 extra credit points and your grade total for the class is a 500 out of 520 you will then have a 504.