Course description

Students completing this course will explore the many roles of domestic animals and the importance of their interdependence with humans; appreciate the scope, diversity, and problems related to domestic animal systems; practice using scientific literature to research issues in sustainable agriculture. This intensive, interactive course includes 2 to 3 hours of daily asynchronous lecture material plus regular live office hours offered for student assistance with the course, online discussion blogs and even a group project to conduct with another classmate.

Topics include domestication, sustainability, companion animals, sheep, goats, swine, beef cattle, dairy cattle, nutrition, genetics, grazing, dairy products, poultry, horses and draft animals, Third World limited-resource animal systems, toxicology and lab animals.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to compare and contrast various domestic animal production systems.

Outcome 2: Students will be able to apply basic knowledge of animal nutrition, genetics, reproduction and physiology to domestic animal species.

Outcome 3: Students will be able to appreciate proper handling and husbandry of livestock.

This course is an elective and not required for Animal Science majors.

See the Cornell Chronicle article: Precollege Studies Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Melanie Soberon

Winter 2025: Online course

Melanie Soberon
Melanie Soberon
Department of Animal Science, Cornell University

Winter 2025: Online course

Melanie Soberon
Melanie Soberon
Department of Animal Science, Cornell University
by Shelley Preston,
Cornell Chronicle, 2022