INTRODUCING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TO ANIMAL-SCIENCE - A DISCOVERY COURSE FOR NONMAJORS

A discovery course titled ''Living with Animals and Biotechnology'' wa s taught to first-year students enrolled in disciplines other than Ani mal Science during the fall semesters of 1994 and 1995 at the Universi ty of Illinois. The course provided freshman students with an overview of how animals and biotechnology interact with our global society. It focused on technological achievements involving animals and how they influence the development of agriculture, medicine, and industry in ou r world. The course was conducted in a discussion format and met once a week. Upon successful completion of the course, students received on e credit towards graduation. A total of 17 and 19 students completed t he course for the two semesters that the course was offered. Most of t he students (86%) were majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Scien ce. Students rated the course high (4.85 +/- .06 with 5 = exceptionall y high) and found the course a valuable learning experience (4.57 +/- .11 with 5 = very valuable). When surveyed 93% of the students said th e discovery course gave them a much better impression of the Departmen t of Animal Sciences. Most of the students (86%) said they would consi der taking another animal science course. Offering one credit animal s cience discussion courses by faculty with diverse expertise introduces students to animal science. It also may stimulate student curiosity a nd excitement about the field of animal science.