Introduction to Animal Systems
Students develop competency in each of the major areas of the animal systems career pathway including animal nutrition, reproduction, breeding, care, management, and safety. Students also learn agricultural mechanics skills applicable to animal systems. Contextual instruction and student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills. High-quality work-based learning (HQWBL) will provide experiential learning opportunities related to students' career goals and/or interests, integrated with instruction, and performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations.
Notes
Class Size Regulation
The Virginia Administrative Code regulates the class size for this course. For additional information, see 8VAC20-120-150, "Maximum class size," or contact the Virginia Department of Education Office of Career and Technical Education at cte@doe.virginia.gov.
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Course Sequences
A combination of this course and those below, equivalent to two 36-week courses, is a concentration sequence. Students wishing to complete a specialization may take additional courses based on their career pathways. A program completer is a student who has met the requirements for a CTE concentration sequence and all other requirements for high school graduation or an approved alternative education program.
- Agricultural Business Fundamentals I (36 Weeks)
- Agricultural Production Technology (36 Weeks)
- Agricultural Structural Systems (36 Weeks)
- Applied Agricultural Concepts (18 Weeks)
- Applied Agricultural Concepts (36 Weeks)
- Biological Applications in Agriculture (36 Weeks)
- Biotechnology Foundations in Agricultural and Environmental Science (36 Weeks)
- Cybersecurity in Food & Agriculture (36 Weeks)
- Equine Science (18 Weeks)
- Equine Science (36 Weeks)
- Fisheries & Wildlife Management (36 Weeks)
- Foundations of Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources (36 Weeks)
- Livestock Production Management (36 Weeks)
- Small Animal Care I (18 Weeks)
- Small Animal Care I (36 Weeks)
- Veterinary Science I (36 Weeks)
Industry Credentials (Only apply to 36-week courses)
- Animal Systems Assessment
- Beef Quality Assurance Examination
- College and Career Readiness Assessment (CCRA+)
- Culinary Meat Selection and Cookery Certification Examination
- Food Safety & Science Certification Examination
- Fundamentals of Animal Science Certification Examination
- Meat Evaluation Certification
- National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
- Principles of Livestock Selection and Evaluation Certification Examination
- Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth Examination
Virginia’s High Demand Occupations and Apprenticeable Occupations
Section § 2.2-2472 of the Code of Virginia requires the Virginia Board of Workforce Development (VBWD) to publish a list of jobs, trades, and professions for which a high demand for qualified workers exists or is projected. The Virginia Office of Education Economics (VOEE) collaborated with the VBWD and related stakeholders to develop the high demand occupations list. VOEE’s mission is to leverage data to inform educational programming, policy, and workforce partnerships across the Commonwealth. See also the Virginia 2024 High Demand Occupations Dashboard.
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code, Occupation Description, and Active Apprenticeable Occupation status (Yes/No per the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry).
| SOC Code | Occupation Description | Apprenticeable Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 451011 | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | No |
| 392011 | Animal Trainers | Yes |
| 319096 | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | No |
| 292056 | Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | No |
| 172081 | Environmental Engineers | No |
| 194042 | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | No |
| 372021 | Pest Control Workers | No |
| 194031 | Chemical Technicians | No |
| 513092 | Food Batchmakers | No |
| 513093 | Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | No |
| 513099 | Food Processing Workers, All Other | No |
| 192041 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | No |
| 194071 | Forest and Conservation Technicians | No |
| 119121 | Natural Sciences Managers | No |
| 514041 | Machinists | Yes |
| 514121 | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Yes |
Career Clusters
| Pathway | Occupation |
|---|---|
| Agribusiness Systems |
|
| Animal Systems |
|
| Environmental Service Systems |
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| Food Products & Processing Systems |
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| Natural Resources Systems |
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| Power, Structural, & Technical Systems |
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