2024-25 Academic Catalog

Department of Poultry Science

Major Advisor: Jessica Wells
Office: Poultry Science Rm 1090

The U.S. poultry industry is a $23 billion+ business employing hundreds of thousands of people in the United States. Mississippi ranks in the top five broiler producing states and continues to expand. This dynamic industry employs approximately 25,000 Mississippians directly and another 25,000 indirectly.

The Poultry curriculum provides for in-depth study of scientific principles important in the production, processing and marketing of poultry and poultry products. The curriculum is designed with academic and experiential components to ensure that graduates are prepared to manage people and resources vital to this important food industry. Poultry students should also expect to develop creative thinking skills that will allow them to develop solutions for complex real world problems as they develop their careers as managers. The strong science content of the curriculum also makes it an excellent fit for pre-vet students and students interested in graduate studies. The department provides one-on-one advising for all Poultry Science students. Concentrations available are:

  • Applied Poultry Management
  • Science and Pre-Veterinary Science

Only grades of C or higher will be accepted for all PO courses.

BS in Poultry Science (PO)

Degree Requirements

English Composition6
English Composition I
Expanded English Composition I
English Composition II
Accelerated Composition II
Mathematics3
MA higher than MA 1313 (see Gen Ed courses)
Science9
See major/concentration
Humanities6
Select from General Education courses (except FLS 1113 which is major core requirement)
Fine Arts3
Select from General Education courses
Social Sciences6
Applied Poultry Management concentration: Select hours from General Education courses (except AEC 2713 which is a major concentration requirement)
Science and Pre-Vet Science concentration: Select hours from General Education courses
Major Core
PO 3011Seminar1
PO 3021Seminar1
PO 3103Genetics I3
PO 3313Commercial Poultry Production3
PO 4031Seminar1
PO 4041Seminar1
PO 4033Diseases of Poultry3
PO 4313Management of Commercial Layers3
PO 4324Avian Reproduction4
PO 4334Broiler Production4
PO 4413Poultry Nutrition3
PO 4423Feed Manufacturing3
PO 4514Poultry Processing4
PO 4844Avian Anatomy and Physiology4
PO 3353Poultry Production Internship3
FLS 1113Spanish I3
FNH 4414Microbiology of Foods4
or BIO 3304 General Microbiology
Experiential Learning3
Special Topics in Poultry Science
Poultry Processing Internship
Directed Individual Study in Poultry Science
Oral Communication Requirement
Satisfied by successful completion of PO 3021, 4031, and 4041
Writing Requirement
Satisfied by successful completion of PO 4324 and 4844
Computer Literacy
Satisfied by successful completion of PO 4324 and 4844

Choose one of the following concentrations:

Applied Poultry Management Concentration (APOM)

Many large agribusiness firms are in the poultry sector. It prepares students to enter into all areas of the poultry industry with the knowledge neccessary to be successful.

ACC 2013Principles of Financial Accounting3
BL 2413The Legal Environment of Business3
AEC 3133Introductory Agribusiness Management3
AEC 2713Introduction to Food and Resource Economics3
AEC 3233Introduction to Environmental Economics and Policy3
AEC 4113Agribusiness Firm Management3
AEC 4413Public Problems of Agriculture3
MKT 3013Principles of Marketing3
Science Requirements9-11
Choose 3 of the following (major core science requirements):
Biology I
Animal Biology
Biology II
Plant Biology
Survey of Chemistry I
Chemistry I
and Investigations in Chemistry I
Chemistry II
and Investigations in Chemistry II
Restricted Electives2-3
Choose one of the following:
Poultry Evaluation I
Poultry Evaluation II.
Poultry Products Safety and Sanitation
Animal Agriculture & Society: Food for Thought
Introduction to Human Resource Management
Free Electives8-11
Total Hours122

Science and Pre-Veterinary Science Concentration (SPVS)

The Science and Pre-Veterinary Science concentration prepares a student for future programs at a graduate level and also allows a student to satisfy the pre-veterinary requirements while completing a B.S. in Poultry Science.

BIO 1134Biology I4
BIO 1144Biology II4
CH 1211Investigations in Chemistry I1
CH 1213Chemistry I3
CH 1221Investigations in Chemistry II1
CH 1223Chemistry II3
CH 2503
CH 2501
Elementary Organic Chemistry
and Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory
4
or CH 4513
CH 4511
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Restricted Electives11-14
Choose four from the following:
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
Principles of Biochemistry
General Biochemistry I
General Physics I
General Physics II
Poultry Products Safety and Sanitation
Poultry Evaluation I
Poultry Evaluation II.
Animal Agriculture & Society: Food for Thought
Free Electives13-16
Total Hours122

Poultry Science Minor

The need for people who have specialized knowledge outside of classic poultry science is growing rapidly. Currently the industry recruits and employs personnel trained in areas such as accounting, biological sciences, computer science, human nutrition, nursing, microbiology, engineering, food technology, advertising and marketing, veterinary medicine, human resource management and law. A minor in Poultry Science provides these individuals with enhanced employment opportunities in the poultry industry.

Students will be required to complete the following courses to receive a minor in Poultry Science.

PO 3313Commercial Poultry Production3
PO 4313Management of Commercial Layers3
PO 4334Broiler Production4
PO 4413Poultry Nutrition3
or PO 4423 Feed Manufacturing
PO 4514Poultry Processing4

Courses

PO 1013 Animal Agriculture & Society: Food for Thought: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Exploration of connections between animal agriculture and society including animal production systems, food and fiber production, consumer perceptions and addressing concerns regarding the growing world population. (Same as ADS 1013)

PO 2990 Special Topics in Poultry Science: 1-9 hours.

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)

PO 3011 Seminar: 1 hour.

One hour lecture. Preparation and presentation of specially assigned current problems in poultry science

PO 3021 Seminar: 1 hour.

One hour seminar. Preparation and presentation of specially assigned current problems in poultry science

PO 3103 Genetics I: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. (Prerequisites: MA 1313 or higher, BIO 1134 or higher or BIO 2113 or higher ). Principles of heredity, genetic material, and gene expressions. (Same as BIO 3103, GNS 3103)

PO 3313 Commercial Poultry Production: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. An introduction to practical management problems encountered in the production of commercial eggs, broiler production, and breeding flocks

PO 3353 Poultry Production Internship: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). Structured, progressive experiential learning with the live production division of a poultry integrator

PO 3363 Poultry Processing Internship: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). Structured, progressive experiential learning with the processing of a poultry integrator

PO 3423 Poultry Evaluation I: 3 hours.

Two Hour Lecture. Two Hour Laboratory. Grading/evaluation of live poultry and market products using different methods and grading scales based on USDA standards and the American Standard of Perfection

PO 3433 Poultry Evaluation II.: 3 hours.

Two Hour Lecture. Two Hour Laboratory. (Prerequisites: PO 3423 or consent of instructor). Grading/evaluation of live poultry including turkeys and market products using different methods and grading scales based on USDA standards and cull factors

PO 4000 Directed Individual Study in Poultry Science: 1-6 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged

PO 4031 Seminar: 1 hour.

One hour seminar. Preparation and presentation of specially assigned current problems in poultry science

PO 4033 Diseases of Poultry: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Survey of cause, effects, diagnosis, prevention, and control of common poultry diseases

PO 4041 Seminar: 1 hour.

One hour seminar. Preparation and presentation of specially assigned current problems in poultry science

PO 4313 Management of Commercial Layers: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Management of laying flocks as related to production of edible eggs; including housing, cage design, equipment, feeding techniques, lighting, molting and other factors involved with efficient production

PO 4324 Avian Reproduction: 4 hours.

Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Principles of avian reproductive physiology and applications in poultry management to maximize reproductive performance. Reproductive characteristics of several bird species are included

PO 4334 Broiler Production: 4 hours.

Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Practical management problems encountered in the production of broilers including breeding, housing, brooding, diseases, and feeding; field trips to intensified broiler areas

PO 4413 Poultry Nutrition: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Study of the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients in avian species. Special emphasis is given to practical nutritional needs of commercial poultry flocks

PO 4423 Feed Manufacturing: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Mill design and equipment; procurement, storage and quality control for ingredients and complete feeds; formulation of practical type poultry rations

PO 4512 Poultry Products Safety and Sanitation: 2 hours.

(Prerequisite: Junior standing or greater.) Two hours lecture. Poultry product safety hazards, food safety systems (HACCP), principles and practices of food sanitation related to poultry products and poultry safety regulations (same as FNH 4512/6512)

PO 4514 Poultry Processing: 4 hours.

Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Study of commercial poultry processing including poultry inspection, regulations, processed poultry products, egg processing, and food safety. (Same as FNH 4514/6514)

PO 4844 Avian Anatomy and Physiology: 4 hours.

Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Anatomy and physiology of the fowl with emphasis on morphology, structure, and function of the avian body. (Same as PHY 6844)

PO 4990 Special Topics in Poultry Science: 1-9 hours.

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)

PO 6313 Management of Commercial Layers: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Management of laying flocks as related to production of edible eggs; including housing, cage design, equipment, feeding techniques, lighting, molting and other factors involved with efficient production

PO 6324 Avian Reproduction: 4 hours.

Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Principles of avian reproductive physiology and applications in poultry management to maximize reproductive performance. Reproductive characteristics of several bird species are included

PO 6334 Broiler Production: 4 hours.

Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Practical management problems encountered in the production of broilers including breeding, housing, brooding, diseases, and feeding; field trips to intensified broiler areas

PO 6413 Poultry Nutrition: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Study of the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients in avian species. Special emphasis is given to practical nutritional needs of commercial poultry flocks

PO 6423 Feed Manufacturing: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Mill design and equipment; procurement, storage and quality control for ingredients and complete feeds; formulation of practical type poultry rations

PO 6512 Poultry Products Safety and Sanitation: 2 hours.

(Prerequisite: Junior standing or greater.) Two hours lecture. Poultry product safety hazards, food safety systems (HACCP), principles and practices of food sanitation related to poultry products and poultry safety regulations (same as FNH 4512/6512)

PO 6514 Poultry Processing: 4 hours.

Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Study of commercial poultry processing including poultry inspection, regulations, processed poultry products, egg processing, and food safety. (Same as FNH 4514/6514)

PO 6523 Advanced Poultry Processing: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite:PO 4513/6513). Three hours lecture. Study of preparation of poultry for consumption including all pertinent technology, product flow, equipment and applicable regulations

PO 6833 Avian Anatomy: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Anatomy of the fowl with emphasis on morphology and organization of the avian body structures

PO 6844 Avian Anatomy and Physiology: 4 hours.

Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Anatomy and physiology of the fowl with emphasis on morphology, structure, and function of the avian body. (Same as PHY 6844)

PO 6990 Special Topics in Poultry Science: 1-9 hours.

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)

PO 7000 Directed Individual Study in Poultry Science: 1-6 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged

PO 8011 Graduate Seminar in Poultry Science: 1 hour.

One-credit course for Master's graduate students. Focus will include, but will not be limited to, exploration of current and historical literature; in-depth analysis of selected research topics/journal articles; discussion of relevant analytical techniques in research; preparation and presentation of original research. May be taken 4 times for credit

PO 8043 Poultry Nutrition (Vitamins and Minerals): 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: Graduate level students of Poultry Science). Three hours lecture. The class will provide an overview of vitamin and mineral types, metabolism, and poultry ration usage. The lessons will involve basic concepts of these micro-nutrients predominantly based on research paper discussion

PO 8111 Advanced Graduate Seminar in Poultry Science: 1 hour.

One-credit course for Poultry Science doctoral students. Focus will include, but will not be limited to, exploration of current/historical literature; in-depth analysis of research topics/journal articles; discussion of relevant analytical techniques in research; preparation and presentation of original research. May be taken 6 times for credit

PO 8123 Methods in Nutrition Research: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. Application of analytical methods used in research techniques;practice in writing research proposals, conducting a research project, and preparing research finds suitabale for scientific publication

PO 8443 Avian Nutrition: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Study of the nutrient functions, dietary relationships deficiency symptons,distribution in feedstuffs and quantitative requirements of nutrients

PO 8990 Special Topics in Poultry Sciences: 1-9 hours.

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)

PO 9000 Research in Poultry: 1-13 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged