US Pork Center of Excellence Launches Swine Science Online

The U.S. Pork Center of Excellence recently launched its Swine Science Online after months of beta testing. The online education program will be offered in several colleges and universities particularly; Colorado State University, Iowa State University, North Carolina State University, South Dakota State University, Missouri University and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Swine Science courses include; Basic Swine Science –which tackles the basic disciplines and theories involved in swine production primarily deals with industry organization, trends; statistics; genetic enhancement; nutrition; nutrient management; health and bio-security; production phases and buildings; marketing; meat quality; and careers in the swine industry.

The swine health and bio-security gives and overview of standard bio-security etiquettes and the recognition of behavior and clinical diseases of swine, prevention and administration of treatment, immune system function and knowledge regarding swine disease transmission.

The program also includes swine breeding and conception management providing students with concepts relevant to reproductive bodily processes and endocrinology of boards and sows; development programs for future substitution of gilts and boars; genetic selection programs; semen collection, assessment and preparation; detection of estrus and artificial insemination; feeding and housing programs for gestating sows; pregnancy diagnosis and more.

In order to be eligible for the swine science certification, students must earn 9 credits for the required courses which is mainly comprised of; fundamental swine science (2); swine health and bio-security (1); basic lab course (1); production internship in the swine industry (1); production management course/swine breeding and gestation management (1); employee management for the swine industry (1).

And students can choose four online courses as an elective course composed of 1 credit each. Elective courses are; swine feed mill management (1); marketing & risk management in the pork industry (1); pork product quality and safety (1); pork export markets (1); swine environment management (1); contemporary issues with swine industry (1); swine manure and nutrient management (1); advanced lab course (1); production management course & optional courses; swine breeding and gestation management, furrowing management, swine industry & finishing management.