1. Dr. Prattis Animal Health and Diseases GE Course Spring 2016 Page 1
AVSC 230 SYLLABUS
Animal Health and Diseases
Agriculture A Room 203
Seminar Monday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Spring 2016
Instructor: Susan Prattis VMD Ph.D. MS Dipl. ACLAM
Office: Rm. 305 Wing A Agricultural Building
Phone: 961-001-340460 x 4451
E-mail: sp07@aub.edu.lb
Animal Health and Disease: Have you ever wondered if your dog, cat, bird or horse gets the
same diseases that you and your family are susceptible to getting ? Do they catch colds ? Can
they have cancer? Are they susceptible to the same toxins and pollution that we are as human
beings? What about the way that they think and express emotion ? What is it that makes us
similar, and different, from other animals? In this course we will explore selected aspects of
health and disease biology and management as they are expressed and experienced in humans
and animals. There is no textbook but we will be reading an interesting paperback, Zoobiquity,
as well as selected articles and well referenced web literature. This seminar general education
course will consist predominantly of in - class discussion and analysis of our readings, a
midterm and final exam, a small amount of online project completion throughout the course,
and an individual term paper on a topic chosen by each student. There will be one Saturday
field trip towards the end of the course accompanied by a short group field trip report. This
course is open to all majors within the University.
Course Description
Animal Health and Diseases is an introductory general education course that introduces
students of varying backgrounds to principles of Animal Biological and Health Sciences. We will
learn about selected different commensal and pathogenic organisms causing common
symptomatic and asymptomatic diseases; signs of health and disease specific to different
domestic, marine mammal, fish and wildlife animal species; epidemiology of disease incidence;
immunology, immune competence vs tolerance, and vaccination principles; emerging animal
diseases; monitoring disease incidence using surveillance techniques; vector biology; and
methods used to prevent disease occurrence including principles of management,
environmental modification and nutritional support. To do this we will review textbook and
article readings and set up a field trip towards the end of the semester for students to explore
some of the concepts that they will have learned in the course and conduct a field experiment.
A Moodle website for the course will also provide links to other interesting sites and articles on
this course topic.

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Prerequisites One course in a natural science
Text Requirements:
Seminar Textbook:
Zoobiquity The Astonishing Connection Between Human and Animal Health
Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers, 2013. ISBN-10: 0307477436
ISBN-13: 978-0307477439
Websites: Worldwide Web Virtual Library: http://netvet.wustl.edu/vetmed/health.htm
Center for Food Security and Public Health: http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/
National Wildlife Health Center:
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/disease_emergence/
Partners in Information Access for Public Health:
http://phpartners.org/veterinary.html
Moodle Website andAttendance:
Please visitthe classMoodle page frequently.Youare responsible forall academicworkassignedwithin
the class to be submittedatspecificdue dates. Attendance will be takenforeverycourse meeting.
Absence fromclassdoesnotexcuse the studentfromhis/herresponsibilityforthe workdone orfrom
any announcement made duringhis/herabsence.Studentswhomissmore thanone-fifthof the sessions
inthe firsttenweeksof the semesterwill loseall creditforthe course andwill receivea grade of W
(withdrew).
Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Tools
By the end of the course you should be able to:
Understand how to identify healthy and sick animals and the
epidemiology of disease occurrence; and know etiological causes of
common diseases affecting animals and humans
Midterm and Final
Examinations
Identify distinctive characteristics of disease causing agents and
specific ways of monitoring for disease among animals
Class discussion;
Midterm and Final
Examinations
Strengthen data analytical, information identification and synthesis
skills in scientific inquiry, verbal and written communication
Individual Term Paper;
Final Group Topic
Presentation; Field Trip
and Experiment
To become closer observers of the natural world Field Trip and
Laboratory Report
To be comfortable with thinking about and discussing natural science
concepts as they apply to citizen duties and experiences, resulting in
enhanced science literacy
Student Active Inquiry
in Class; Debate;
Readings and Online
discussions

3. Dr. Prattis Animal Health and Diseases GE Course Spring 2016 Page 3
General Education Outcomes
(http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/general education/Pages/learning-outcomes.aspx)
General Outcomes:
After completing the General Education Program, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate critical thinking abilities by making informed and logical arguments.
2. Value different academic and professional modes of ethical behavior.
3. Demonstrate intellectual independence in pursuit of knowledge.
4. Demonstrate ability to contribute effectively to teamwork.
5. Demonstrate fluency with information technology.
The GE courses in the natural sciences enable students to explain how the natural phenomena
in basic physical and biological systems work. They emphasize the process of science: how our
understanding of the natural world advances by conception, testing, and refinement of
hypotheses, and how logic, observation, and experimentation are used to disprove and support
rival explanations, and how science and technology advance each other. The field trip
laboratory addresses the practice of science, professionalism in the discipline, and the diverse
means of collecting and interpreting empirical data. After completing the natural sciences
requirements students will be able to:
1. Explain fundamental concepts in the natural sciences.
2. Illustrate common scientific methods of inquiry.
3. Instructor/Course Policies
Instructor and Course Policies
Late Work and Late Attendance Policy
Late work is strongly discouraged. Similarly, late entry into lecture is strongly discouraged.
Missed examinations can be made up at a later time only with a documented, and substantial,
.reason for your absence.
Cell Phones, Tablets and Laptops:
Please turn off your cell phones and do not use them while in the classroom, unless specifically
directed to do so by the instructor. Similarly, do not surf the internet on phones, tablets or
laptops during lecture. Using electronic devices for note taking is permissible, and it is to your
benefit to take notes on the material discussed during class and in preparation for class. No
electronics are permitted in examinations.
Statement of Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is vital to the learning process and dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students
should abide by the Student Code of Conduct that was approved by AUB-Senate on May 25,
2007. Any student whose conduct involves academic dishonesty will receive a sanction

4. Dr. Prattis Animal Health and Diseases GE Course Spring 2016 Page 4
appropriate to the nature and severity of the violation in accordance with the Policy on
Academic Integrity, which is explained in the course catalogue. Please refer to the Plagiarism
Tutorial and Test which can tell you more about this important topic, and complete the test
prior to beginning the course. Students who use non-permissible written, verbal, or oral
assistance, including that obtained from another student during examinations, in course
assignments, or on projects, are guilty of cheating. Students who fail to credit properly ideas or
materials taken from another commit plagiarism. Cheating and/or Plagiarism are forms of
academic fraud. It deceives others and causes them to make an assessment based on the
misinterpretation of a student’s actual ability or performance. Cheating and Plagiarism are
violations of the University’s academic regulations and are subject to disciplinary action.
A faculty member who has evidence of a student failing to adhere to the Academic Integrity
Policy has a duty to report the conduct for final disposition. Academic dishonesty may result in,
among other sanctions, assigning the student a grade of “F” or “0” for the course and/or for the
particular assignment, or grade so much of the assignment that represents the student’s own
work; Dean’s Warning; a requirement that the student repeat the assignment or a similar
assignment; or, after repeated infractions, expulsion from the program or university.
Academic Dishonesty includes:
• Not referencing direct statements, or paraphrases, taken from other sources
• Submitting work performed or generated by other people as your own without
attribution
• Insufficient references throughout the text body of a written assignment
• Using someone else’s answers on a test, paper, assignment or quiz
• Using work that you have previously performed for submission in this course
• The unauthorized possession or use of examination or course-related material may also
constitute cheating.
Turnitin.com Policy and Process
Students agree that by taking this course all required written work might be subject to
submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All
submitted written work will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference
database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of Turnitin.com
service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com site.
The following statement must be submitted with each individually and group prepared written
assignment:

5. Dr. Prattis Animal Health and Diseases GE Course Spring 2016 Page 5
“I submit that this document is entirely my own / our group’s original work and agree that it
may be submitted to Turnitin for the purpose of checking for plagiarism and further that it may
be maintained on the Turnitin database in order to check for future plagiarism.”
Procedures for Students with Disabilities
If you have documented special needs and anticipate difficulties with the content or format of
the course due to a physical or learning disability, please contact Dr. Prattis and your academic
advisor, as well as the Counseling Center in the Office of Student Affairs (Ext. 3196), as soon as
possible to discuss options for accommodations. Those seeking accommodations must submit
the Special Needs Support Request Form along with the required documentation. The student
should do so normally no later than a second week of classes so that the student can provide
the professor with an official request for accommodations.
Disclaimer
The professor reserves the right to change syllabus progress rate, class assignments, projects or
activities at their discretion after advance notification. It is the responsibility of the student to
stay informed via AUB email and your Moodle classroom.
Student Grading Evaluation
Grading and Evaluation:
Midterm Examination: 1
20 % Required
Field Trip and Report: 20% Required
Individual Term Paper 30 % Required
20% completed paper &
10 % annotated bibliography
Group Field Trip Presentation 10% Required
Final Examination: 1
20 % Required
Extra Credit Assignments 05% each assignment
Grading System:
90 – 100 Outstanding
85 – 89 Excellent
80 – 84 Very Good
75 – 79 Good
70 – 74 Fair
60 – 69 Weak
Below 60 Fail
I Incomplete

6. Dr. Prattis Animal Health and Diseases GE Course Spring 2016 Page 6
Evaluative Rubrics
WRITING GRADING RUBRIC CRITERIA
Criteria Points
1 2 3 4
Organization
Sequence of
information is difficult
to follow.
Reader has
difficulty following
work because
student jumps
around.
Student presents
information in
logical sequence
which reader can
follow.
Information in
logical, interesting
sequence which
reader can follow.
Content
Knowledge
Student does not
have grasp of
information; student
cannot answer
questions about
subject.
Student is
uncomfortable with
content and is able
to demonstrate
basic concepts.
Student is at ease
with content, but
fails to elaborate.
Student
demonstrates full
knowledge (more
than required).
Grammar and
Spelling
Work has four or
more spelling errors
and/or grammatical
errors.
Presentation has
three misspellings
and/or
grammatical
errors.
Presentation has
no more than two
misspellings
and/or
grammatical
errors.
Presentation has
no misspellings or
grammatical
errors.
Follows
Assignment
Work does not follow
assignment at all.
Work has three or
four areas that do
not follow
assignment or
does not answer
questions.
Work has one or
two areas that do
not follow
assignment or
does not answer
questions.
Work follows
assignment
perfectly/
answers all
questions.
References
(APA/MLA)
Work displays no
references.
Work does not
have the
appropriate
number of required
references.
Reference
section was
completed
incorrectly
Work displays the
correct number of
references,
written correctly.
Total---->

7. Dr. Prattis Animal Health and Diseases GE Course Spring 2016 Page 7
Guidelines for Class Participation
In Class Participation Requirements:(Source: Center for Teaching and Learning Dec.
2014): It is very important to complete the assigned reading and / or exercises assigned in
class prior to attending the next class meeting. This is a course that depends very heavily on
your participation, insights, and in learning to work individually and in small teams. It is always
easier to do this when you have a close familiarity with the material under review. Please see
the rubric noted below for guidelines.
Online Participation Requirements: During online forum assignments, you should submit a
total of at least six posts that are 100-200 words in length. Each student should create at least
one new thread addressing the forum topic and also respond to at least 3 peer (or instructor)
posts during the forum. The remaining 2 posts may be original posts or responses. Please
submit your first post as a new thread or response no later than the 3rd
day after the beginning
of the week in which the posts are due. . Please review the discussion forum grading rubric to
familiarize yourself with how the forums will be graded.

8. Dr. Prattis Animal Health and Diseases GE Course Spring 2016 Page 8
Dates and Times of Classes and Laboratories:
Lecture
#
Date Lecture Topic Reading Assignment
// Laboratory Studies
for Discussion / In
Class Writing
Exercises
Week 1 February 1 Introduction;
Medicine Across the Species;
Selected Disease in Small
Animals
Introduction;
In Class Activity
Zoobiquity Chpt. 1 – Drs.
House and Dolittle
Week 2 February 8 Selected Disease in Large
Animals;
Infectious Disease Prevention
Zoobiquity Chpts. 1 & 10
– Drs. House and Dolittle,
Koala and the Clap -
Infectious Disease
Week 3 February 15 Library Research
Presentation and Exercises
Ms. Salpy Naalbandian
Research Report
Examples;
Using Library Online
Resources, Moodle, and
the Science Library
Week 4 February 22 Eating Disorders & Human
Body Dysphoria
Adolescence in Humans and
Animals
Zoobiquity Chpt. 9 – Fear
of Feeding
Chpt. 11 –
Leaving the Nest
Discussion and In Class
Activity
Week 5 February 29 Animal Behavior;
Addiction / Psychological
Abnormalities in Animals and
Humans
Zoobiquity Chpt. 5 & 8 –
Zoophoria; Grooming
Gone Wild Extra Credit
Assignment # 1 Due:
Short Essay: Zoobiquity
Chpt. 3 Cancer and
Jurassic OR Chpt. 6
Scared to Death
Week 6 March 7 Wildlife Diseases:
Mammals
Lecture and Discussion
Background Reading:
National Wildlife Health
Center:
http://www.nwhc.usgs.g
ov/publications/disease

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_emergence/
Due in class:
Proposed Term Paper
Topic Selection with
Initial Annotated
Literature Bibliographic
Reference List
Week 7 March 14 Midterm Exam In Class Exam Period
Week 8 March 21 Wildlife Diseases:
Fish and Birds
Field Trip and Field
Experiment
Readings - Part 1
Week 9 April 4th Environmental Toxicity:
Lead and Heavy Metals;
Pesticides
Due : First Draft Individual
Term Papers
Field Trip and Field
Experiment
Readings - Part 2
In Class Writing Exercise
Week 10 April 11 Ecology, Health and Disease
Additional Requirement:
Mandatory Saturday Field
Trip Group Experiment
Lecture and Discussion
Extra Credit Assignment
# 2 Due
Saturday April 9th OR
April 16th – Field
Research Trip
Week 11 April 18 Disease Epidemiology Lecture and Discussion
Week 12 April 25 Field Research Report
Group Presentations
Group Field Experiment
Lab Presentation and
Written Reports Due
Due: Final individual
Term Papers
Reminder:
If you are satisfied with your paper grade AFTER MY REVIEW OF THE FIRST DRAFT
you do NOT need to write a final draft, however, if you would like to take my comments
under advisement and change your grade you can do so. Only one final paper grade will
be counted for the course.

10. Dr. Prattis Animal Health and Diseases GE Course Spring 2016 Page 10
AT THE FINAL CLASS MEETING PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:
1. Please submit the final individual paper hard copy, and electronic version online.
2. Please submit a hard copy, printed version of your group field laboratory, and an
electronic version online
Please note that Final Examinations will be held in accordance with the University
Registrar Schedule for day, time and location. We can not change the assigned final
exam slot for the course that is set by the university.