Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Artificial Insemination of Cattle (Face-to-Face)

AGSC 2820-01

Course: AGSC 2820-01
Credits: 2
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ASNS
CRN: 10029

Course Description

A hands-on training course in the reproductive management and artificial insemination of cattle. Taught at the SUU Valley Farm. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): AGSC 1100 and instructor permission - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-

Required Texts

 No textbook is required. Resource materials will be provided. 

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of reproductive physiology and management considerations for an artificial insemination program in cattle 
2. Demonstrate basic skills required to successfully perform artificial insemination in cattle 

Course Requirements

ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING:  

Quizzes (50% of grade) 
• Open-note quizzes at the end of each classroom session – 10 points each
• Missed quizzes due to absence may be completed by arrangement with the instructor
• Resubmitted quizzes receive a 20% deduction of points

Skill Test (20% of grade) 
• Semen placement in cows – 4 cows, 4 points each
• Semen preparation – 4 points
• May be repeated until completed successfully during practice sessions

Breeding Help (10% of grade) 
• Participate in at least one session of working cattle for synchronization – 5 points
• Participate in at least one session of working cattle for AI – 5 points

Final Exam (20% of grade) 
• Comprehensive take-home exam

Grade scale:
• A 93%, A- 90%, B+ 87%, B 83%, B- 80%, C+ 77%, C 73%, C- 70%, D+ 67%, D 63%, D- 60%


STUDENT SAFETY: Working with cattle and equipment involves inherent risk of personal injury. Students are expected to avoid careless behavior that could endanger themselves, others, and the cows. By enrolling in this course, students assume all associated risks. The instructor and SUU do not assume liability for injury or harm to students connected with this course.  

TREATMENT OF ANIMALS: Students are expected to promote appropriate welfare of animals. Decisions regarding proper animal care and use should be made in conjunction with the instructor.


Course Outline

Fri, Jan 9 Course Introduction
Fri, Jan 16 NO CLASS – Texas Ag Tour
Fri, Jan 23 Classroom Session 1: Introduction to AI, Cow Reproductive Tract, Estrous Cycle
Fri, Jan 30 Classroom Session 2: Heat Detection, AI Timing, Estrous Synchronization, AI Technique
Fri, Feb 6 Classroom Session 3: Records and Planning, Sire Selection
Fri, Feb 13 Classroom Session 4: Semen Collection, Processing, and Handling
Fri, Feb 20 Classroom Session 5: Embryo Transfer, Economic Considerations for AI
Fri, Feb 27 Practice Session
Fri, Mar 6 Practice Session
Fri, Mar 13 NO CLASS – Spring Break
Fri, Mar 20 Practice Session
Fri, Mar 27 Practice Session
Fri, Apr 3 Practice Session
Fri, Apr 10 Practice Session
TBD SUU cattle herd synchronization
Fri, Apr 17 SUU cattle herd AI
Thu, Apr 23 Take-home final exam due

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

• Missed quizzes due to absence may be completed by arrangement with the instructor
• Resubmitted quizzes receive a 20% deduction of points

Attendance Policy

Students are responsible for attendance at class sessions. Attendance and participation 
are essential for successful completion of the course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.