Equine Science - B.S.
On March 19th, 2021, the Equine Science B.S. degree program was removed from the catalog until Massachusetts State approval is received.
The Equine Science bachelor's degree program offers a rigorous science curriculum combined with equine-specific academic classes and experience-based equine management labs. The equine-specific academic classes include focused study of anatomy, physiology, nutrition, genetics and diseases, as well as practical knowledge of lameness assessment, ration analysis and preventative herd health programs. The equine labs concentrate on horse handling, medical skills and farm management practices that are necessary to be successful in the equine industry. Elective credits offer opportunity for riding classes as well. The Equine Science curriculum design allows students the option of pre-veterinary medicine study, equine-assisted activities and therapies study or future graduate studies in science.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:
- Apply the scientific method and critical thinking skills to address equine science questions.
- Design a comprehensive health plan that addresses the interaction between nutrition and disease and predicts the needs of different classes of horses.
- Identify, analyze and apply knowledge of equine behavior to justify best practices in equine management and handling.
- Recognize ethical concerns pertinent to equine science and determine ethical practices.
- Perform basic preventive measures and therapeutic skills on a horse.
Equine Science students take science courses from the College of Arts & Sciences designed to provide a strong foundation in the fundamental principles of biology. The biology courses allow students to explore the molecular and cellular basis of life, the structure and function of organisms, and the ecological interactions of organisms.
Specialized equine science classes develop the understanding of the functioning of the horse with study in anatomy, lameness, physiology, sports therapy, genetics, nutrition, diseases and reproduction. Students gain hands-on experience in all aspects of horse management including health and dental maintenance, nutrition, facilities management, equipment usage, trailering, lunging, vaccination and anthelmintic programs.
All students participate in the internship program which allows them to work in the equine industry or veterinary profession at approved establishments.
Core and elective courses in the College of Arts & Sciences provide the critical thinking and communication skills that are considered essential by employers along with the chance for students to explore areas of personal interest.
The Equine Science program offers an elective 16-credit specialization that enhances and strengthens the qualifications of graduates interested in equine-assisted activities and therapies. This specialization gives students the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and skills in the expanding field of therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning. Students completing this specialization can pursue careers in therapeutic riding instruction, therapeutic horse management, therapeutic riding program management, and equine-assisted learning and therapy.
Upon completion of the Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies specialization students are expected to:
- Demonstrate the skills and knowledge compulsory for the educational component of certification as a therapeutic riding instructor with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Intl (PATH Intl).
The Equine Science program offers an elective 20-credit specialization in Pre-Veterinary Studies that enhances and strengthens the qualifications of graduates interested in applying for admissions to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programs. This specialization gives students the opportunity to complete major prerequisite course requirements for application to American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited veterinary schools within the United States. Students completing this specialization can pursue application to DVM programs as well as other equine and science-related graduate studies programs.
Upon completion of the Pre-Veterinary Studies specialization students are expected to:
- Identify, evaluate and analyze scientific information.
To participate in the Equine Science program, each student, with or without reasonable accommodations must be able to safely (including the safety of the horse, where applicable) meet minimum technical standards as described for this program.
Extracurricular Activities
Johnson & Wales’ equine programs offer a variety of extracurricular activities for students, including seminars and clinics with nationally and internationally recognized speakers from equine industry, an equine-specific job fair, annual attendance to the Equine Affaire, and field-trips to regional training and competition farms.
Johnson & Wales University participates in equine sports through two distinct competitive teams: Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) and Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA).
The IHSA team competes in hunter seat equitation throughout New England, is consistently regionally and nationally competitive, and hosts shows annually at the Center for Equine Studies. In 2018 Johnson & Wales University had a National Champion in Individual Intermediate Over Fences.
The IDA team at Johnson & Wales University is a charter member, hosts two competitions yearly and travels regionally to compete. The IDA team has won numerous regional and national awards. In 2012 Johnson & Wales University won the National Championship and in 2013 was the reserve national champion team for IDA.
The Facility
The home of Johnson & Wales' Equine Studies programs, the Center for Equine Studies, is located in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, a short drive from Providence. The farm includes a 32-stall barn with attached 170' x 70' mirrored indoor riding hall with waxed footing, radiant heat and a 75” flat panel display system with integrated smart-classroom technology. The facility is equipped with a pine- paneled observation room housing communication technology that allow clinicians to address students and spectators during mounted lessons, a traditional digitally equipped classroom for on-property lectures and a student lounge area for study and relaxation between classes.
The arena, attached 32-stall barn and classroom areas all tout state-of-the-art high speed wifi coverage allowing for streaming and integration of remote technology with all aspects of Equine Studies programs. The property also features several pastures, turnout paddocks and two round-pens used for schooling horses.
Rounding out the facility are two show-quality outdoor arenas: a 225' x 100' multipurpose jumping ring and a 220' x 80' dressage ring with judge’s box. A new addition to the facility is a derby-style jumping field with banks, ditches, and step jumps which allows students to gain knowledge and expertise of riding in various settings.
The horses for school use are all selected for their training and temperament. Many different breeds are represented, including Dutch Warmblood, Hanoverian, Swedish Warmblood, Holsteiner, Thoroughbred, Oldenburg, Quarter Horse and Arabian. Many of the horses have successful show records which include competition experience at the FEI level of dressage, on the hunter/jumper circuit and in eventing.
Equine Science
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| BIO1011 | General Biology - Cellular | 3 |
| BIO1016 | General Biology Laboratory - Cellular | 1 |
| BIO1022 | General Biology - Organismal | 3 |
| BIO1026 | General Biology Laboratory - Organismal | 1 |
| BIO2201 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO2206 | General Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM1011 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM1016 | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| EQN1001 | Introduction to Equine Studies | 3 |
| EQN1020 | Equine Anatomy and Lameness | 3 |
| EQN1025 | Equine Anatomy and Lameness Laboratory | 1 |
| EQN1080 | Equine Management Lab | 1 |
| EQN2000 | Equine Diseases | 3 |
| EQN2020 | Equine Physiology and Sports Therapy | 3 |
| EQN2025 | Equine Physiology and Sports Therapy Laboratory | 1 |
| EQN3010 | Equine Reproduction and Genetics | 3 |
| EQN3025 | Equine Nutrition | 3 |
| EQN4900 | Management and Demonstration of Skills Capstone | 1 |
| Major Electives or Specialization | ||
| Choose 19 credits of the following (at least two courses must be 3000 level or higher, maximum of three credits in horseback riding)* or Specialization listed below: † | 19 | |
| Functional Human Anatomy and Functional Human Anatomy Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Biochemistry | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Functional Histology and Functional Histology Laboratory | ||
| Fundamentals of Immunology | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Introduction to Organic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Analytical Chemistry | ||
| Fundamentals Of Collegiate Riding I | ||
| Fundamentals of Collegiate Riding II | ||
| Introduction to Dressage | ||
| Introduction to Combined Training | ||
| Equitation on the Flat | ||
| Fundamentals of Hunter Seat Equitation | ||
| Foundations of Riding Theory | ||
| Training Level Dressage | ||
| First Level Dressage | ||
| Intermediate Combined Training | ||
| Hunter Seat Equitation Novice | ||
| Methods of Riding Instruction I | ||
| Equine Competition Management and Course Design | ||
| Sport Horse Evaluation and Judging | ||
| Second Level Dressage | ||
| Third Level Dressage | ||
| Advanced Combined Training | ||
| Introduction to Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies | ||
| Application of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies | ||
| Hunter Seat Equitation Intermediate | ||
| Equine Facility Design and Operation Management | ||
| German Medal Training | ||
| Methods of Riding Instruction II | ||
| Special Topics in Equine Studies I | ||
| Special Topics in Equine Studies II | ||
| Fourth Level and FEI Dressage | ||
| Special Topics in Equine Studies III | ||
| Hunter Seat Equitation Open | ||
| General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory | ||
| General Physics II and General Physics II Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Botany | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Introduction to Ecology | ||
| The Business of Sustainability | ||
| How Drugs Work | ||
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| College of Arts & Sciences Internship Ic | ||
| Directed Experiential Education D | ||
| Undergraduate Research Experience | ||
| Honors Directed Academic Experience | ||
Study Abroad | ||
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 9 | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition II | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 6 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, and one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
| Ethics: A Global Perspective | ||
One course from ART, HIST, HUM, LIT, or REL | ||
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| Fundamentals of Algebra ** | ||
| Statistics I | ||
or MATH2010 | Introduction to Biostatistics | |
| Science | 3 | |
| Genetics | ||
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
| Introductory Psychology | ||
One course from ANTH, ECON, LEAD, PSCI or SOC | ||
| A&S Electives **,*** | 6 | |
| Molecular Biology | ||
One course with EASC attribute | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 15 credits selected from 1000–4999 numbered offerings within the university | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121.0 | |
| * | Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites. |
| ** | Students considering the Pre-Veterinary specialization must complete MATH1040 Calculus I and BIO3010 Principles of Biochemistry. These courses fulfill arts & sciences and/or free electives. |
| *** | Students considering the Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies specialization must complete PSYC2002 Abnormal Psychology and EQN2001 Foundations of Riding Theory. These courses fulfill arts & sciences and/or free electives. |
Credits †Specialization in Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies | 16 | |
| Students must select one additional 3 credit Major Elective course if selecting this specialization. | ||
| Functional Human Anatomy | ||
| Functional Human Anatomy Laboratory | ||
| Methods of Riding Instruction I | ||
| Introduction to Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies | ||
| Application of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies | ||
| Methods of Riding Instruction II | ||
Credits †Specialization in Pre-Veterinary Studies | 20 | |
| Students must use 1 credit of free-electives to complete the specialization | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics I Laboratory | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| General Physics II Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
IcTypically, internships require a minimum of six credits. Students interested in a 9 or 12-credit internship can apply additional experiential learning and free elective credits, if available. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty adviser before scheduling internship and free elective credits.
D Directed Experiential Education (DEE) opportunities are based on project availability with community partners and student eligibility. For more information, visit Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS).
# In addition to classes, free elective credits may be applied to a number of options such as internship, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses and courses in a specialization or minor as relevant. For Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty adviser before scheduling free elective credits.
NOTE: Students must pass MATH0010 Basic Mathematics or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math course(s).
Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree must leave Johnson & Wales University with effective writing skills to fulfill the graduation writing requirement. These writing skills are assessed in ENG1021 Rhetoric & Composition II. Students who have met the requirement of ENG1021 Rhetoric & Composition II or ENG1027 Honors Advanced Composition and Communications: Civic Discourse outside of Johnson & Wales University must fulfill the graduation writing requirement through successful completion of ENG0001 Writing Workshop.
In collaboration with academic colleges across all JWU campuses, JWU Global Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, arts and sciences, and elective credit at many affordable price points for students during the academic year, break periods, and summer. Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester or full year. Financial aid may be applied and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go?