Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS*

 

 

Course Title: Livestock Evaluation I

Course Prefix & Number: AGRI 2321 ONLINE

Section Number: 340

Semester:2nd-8-wk Spring 2021

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 64

Lab Hours: 0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Evaluation and grading of market cattle, swine, sheep, and goats and their carcasses and wholesale cuts. Emphasis will be placed on value determination. Selection and evaluation of breeding cattle, sheep, swine, and goats with emphasis on economically important traits.

 

Course Pre-requisite(s): None

Required Course Materials:  None

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Madison King

Campus/Office Location:

Gainesville Campus  

Telephone Number:

Email only  

E-mail Address:

mmking@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS- ALL VIRTUAL THROUGH WEBEX

Monday           

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

 

10 AM – 12 PM

10 AM – 12 PM

10 AM – 12 PM

 

1 – 3 PM

 

1 PM – 3 PM

 

 

ALL OTHER TIMES BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

3

Exams

100 pts each

300

8

Lecture Assignments

25 pts each

200

1

Attendance

8 weeks X 25 points

200

1

 Scenario Project

 

200

1

Lecture Final

 

100

 

 

 

FINAL COURSE GRADE

Overall course grades are determined as follows:

A= 900+ points

B= 800- 899 points

C= 700- 799 points

D= 600- 699 points

F= 0- 599 points

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1.

Accurately evaluate and grade meat animals (cattle, swine, sheep, and goats), their carcasses, and wholesale cuts according to USDA and industry standard

2.

Determine market value for meat animals, carcasses, and whole cuts

3.

Evaluate and select breeding animals based upon their economic potential in common production scenarios

4.

Apply knowledge of both subjective and objective techniques, tools, and information in order to make evaluation, grading, and selection decisions in practical production scenarios

 

 

NCTC ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which

they have registered.

• All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent

due to sickness or emergencies which are approved by the instructor, or due to

participation in an approved college-sponsored activity (which requires written

approval from the appropriate Dean or Director).

• The instructor is responsible for judging the validity of any reasons given for

absence. Valid reasons for absence however, do not relieve the student of the

responsibility for making up required work.

• Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence

unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled

to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if

possible, for permission to postpone the exam.

• Students may be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation

of the instructor who feels the student has been unjustifiably absent or tardy a

sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course's objectives.

• Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories may be considered

sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College.

• Students may be dropped from a developmental course required for the Texas

Success Initiative (TSI) purposes for non-attendance. Official NCTC TSI rules state

that students not passing all sections of the THEA, Compass, or the TSI

Assessment test must be enrolled in at least one area of remediation each

semester they are enrolled or until all sections are passed or all remedial

requirements have been met.

• Simply logging into an online course does not constitute attendance. The U.S.

Department of Education calculates last date of attendance by the last time a

student participated in an online discussion or made contact (interacted) with a

faculty member and this standard is applied to online courses.

 

Instructor Policies

 

Exams

 

Exams will be online and available from Thursday through Saturday of the week they are assigned. The exams will be timed and only one attempt is available. No make up exams will be given. The dates are listed in the schedule below.

 

The final is mandatory and will be online. It will be available for you to take May 13th and 14th.  

 

 

Attendance

 

Attendance will be taken based on your activity in the class for the week. Assignment completion will be how attendance is recorded. You will have to turn in the assignments for the week to be counted present.

 

Lecture Assignments

 

There will be 8 lecture assignments over the semester. These will be online assignments and will be assigned every week. The type of assignment will vary week to week. These assignments are designed to replace the classroom discussion we would have and give you all a chance to participate. They will not be discussions every week. They may be discussion boards, written assignments or a quiz.

 

Project

 

There will be 1 project based on a scenario. Important dates are listed in the schedule below.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE- SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Date

Topic

Week 1- 3/22

Welcome, Syllabus

 

Breeding Animal Evaluation- Cattle, Swine

 

Week 2- 3/29

Breeding Animal Evaluation- Sheep, Goat

Exam 1 April 1st - 3rd

 

Official Date of Record March 29th

Week 3- 4/5

Market Animal Live Evaluation- Cattle, Swine

 

Week 4- 4/12

Market Animal Live Evaluation- Sheep, Goat

Exam 2 April 15th- 17th

Week 5- 4/19

Market Animal Postmortem Evaluation

 

Week 6- 4/26

Meat Grading

Exam 3 April 29th- May 1st

 

Last Day to withdraw with a “W” April 26th

Week 7- 5/3

Scenarios for all species and productions

Project due May 11th

 

Week 8

FINAL May 13th and 14th

 

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 26, 2021.

 

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________  

 

o         Communication

o         Mathematics             

o         Life and Physical Science

o         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

 

o         American History

o         Government/Political Science

o         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

 

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

o          Critical Thinking

o          Communication

o          Empirical and Quantitative

 

o          Teamwork

o          Personal Responsibility

o          Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

  • Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

o          Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o          WECM Course

 

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook.

https://www.nctc.edu/_documents/academics/student-handbook.pdf

 

EARLY ALERT/CARES REPORTS

The NCTC Early Alert program has been established to assist students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Your instructor may refer you to this program if you are missing assignments, failing tests, excessively absent, or have personal circumstances impacting your academic performance. If submitted as an Early Alert, you will be notified via your NCTC e-mail address and then contacted by a Counseling and Testing advisor or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.

 

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior which may be disruptive, harmful or pose a threat to the health and safety of the NCTC community-such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student. Just click the NCTC CARES Team logo posted on MyNCTC, or send an e-mail to CARESTeam@nctc.edu.  As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

 1)  The student will receive a failing grade (“0”) on the assignment. If the assignment is within a group in which the lowest assignment is dropped, the assignment will not be able to count as a dropped score. It will count as part of the grade.

2)  A “Scholastic Dishonesty Report Form” will be submitted regarding the incidence.

3)  Student may be dropped from the course with a failing grade (letter grade of “F”).

 

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Dr. Lisa Bellows

Office Location:

Gainesville Science Building Office 403A

Telephone Number:

940-668-4252

E-mail Address:

lbellows@nctc.edu

 

* The instructor reserves the right to modify any part of this syllabus with prompt notice to the student.

 

 

Syllabi Statements Spring 2021 - COVID-19 Specific

 

Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change as conditions change.

 

Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students must wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. Students without coverings, or those who do not comply with the rules relating to face coverings, will not be able to participate in on-campus classroom activities. To request an exception to this requirement, students should contact the NCTC HR Office of Enrollment Management (ccove@nctc.edu). Failure to comply with the face coverings requirement may result in the Instructor directing the student to leave the classroom. Any student asked to leave the classroom may be referred to the student conduct officer. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

 

Temporary COVID-19 Attendance Policy for Face-to-Face Meetings: We are facing an unprecedented situation in which all of us must be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

 

Faculty will:

 

  • Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

 

Students should:

  • Provide notification to campus officials (via NCTC Daily Health Check protocol through Canvas) if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
  • Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
  • Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
  • Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
  • Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
  • Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
  • Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During the spring 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

 

Syllabus Addendum – Spring 2021

NCTC Student Services and Resources

 

 

Affinity Groups

Staff and faculty representing the Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s), along with academic advisors, counselors and success coaches, serve as mentors for NCTC’s student-centered ​Affinity Groups​.

An ​Affinity Group​ is a population of students who have specific needs, barriers or systems they are needing to navigate not only within college, but within life. Providing mentorship, support and resources for identified Affinity Groups such as Black/African American students, veterans and active military, single parents, students with disabilities, adult learners, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and students who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness, enables us to make more impactful, meaningful connections with students who are in dire need of equity and understanding.

 

Career Services Center

In need of employment? NCTC Career Coaches meet one-on-one to provide training in writing resumes, job searches, interviewing, and more. The Skills to Succeed Academy is also a free interactive, online employability training program focused on building the skills and confidence you need to find the best career.

 

Completion Center

The Completion Center provides a variety of services for first-time in college students. These include academic success coaching, goal setting, course planning, student resources, career development, and job placement services for all new college students. Free online Success Seminars are also available through Student Lingo and new students will also enroll in a First Year Experience (NCTC 1001) course to get started on the right track!

 

 

 

Counseling and Advising

Academic Advisors and Counselors help students explore majors and programs offered, how to take the best combination of classes to meet your goals, assist with questions related to university transfer, and guide students towards academic and personal success, and more. At NCTC, you are assigned to a specific advisor or success coach based on your major or career interests. You can locate our advisors and their majors, along with contact information on the Meet Your Advisor page-and even schedule an appointment with them through their online calendar!

 

Early Alert and CARES

The NCTC Early Alert program assists students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Faculty and staff may refer students through the Early Alert process at any point in the semester in an effort to provide appropriate intervention and access to support services. Examples of behaviors that could prompt an Early Alert referral could be missing assignments, failing tests, excessive absences, or personal circumstances impacting academic performance. A student submitted as an Early Alert will be contacted by an academic advisor or success coach through text, phone, and/or via their NCTC e-mail address to discuss any current challenges as well as helpful resources and success strategies-we want our students to finish strong and know that education is a partnership!

 

The NCTC CARES Team is concerned not only about our students' academic success, but also their emotional and physical well-being. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student, such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. Visit the NCTC CARES site to also locate campus and community resources, or email counseling@nctc.edu.  As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

EDI partners with the entire campus community to create, maintain and demonstrate NCTC’s commitment to an equitable, diverse and inclusive learning environment where NCTC students succeed. NCTC defines equity as encompassing the practice of acknowledging individual differences and systemic disparities when developing new programs and resources for our campus community, which may sometimes challenge our own beliefs and assumptions, in order to ensure balanced educational opportunities toward completion. Everyone Included. Everyone Belongs. Everyone Valued. Everyone Inspired. 

 

Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid provides students with information and guidance with applying for eligible types of financial assistance, such as the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students who have any types of exemptions or tuition waivers will also work with the Financial Aid Office to have these funds applied to their accounts. Additionally, the Scholarship Office provides local scholarship opportunities through an online application process, and tips on how to secure other types of scholarship awards which can help finance educational goals.

 

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online tutoring.  Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, and a Math Lab to assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students. First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized services.

 

Testing Services

The mission of NCTC Testing Services is to provide high-quality testing services that adhere to the professional standards and guidelines to meet the needs of students, faculty, and community members.