Develop a sound foundation knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology as a basis to understanding the care and management of animals. This course is the starting point for working with animals in any situation. Study - cells & tissues; the digestive system; the circulatory system; the urinary system; the nervous system; respiration; the reproductive system; muscles & meat; the skeleton; animal growth, development, and the endocrine system; and the comparison of different animals.

There are 11 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction, cells & tissues
2. The Digestive System
3. The Circulatory System
4. The Urinary System
5. The Nervous System
6. Respiration
7. The Reproductive System
8. Muscles & Meat
9. The Skeleton
10. Animal Growth, Development, and the Endocrine System
11. Comparing Different Animals

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• Explain the physical components of mammals and other animals, including cells and tissues.
• Explain the digestive system of more than one type of animal, in terms of both structure and function.
• Explain the circulatory system of animals, in terms of both structure and function.
• Explain the urinary system of animals, in terms of both structure and function.
• Explain the nervous system of animals, in terms of both structure and function.
• Explain the respiratory system of animals, in terms of both structure and function.
• Explain the reproductive system of animals, including structure and function.
• Explain the muscular system in animals, including the structure and function of muscles, and meat quality.
• Explain the skeletal system of a typical mammal, in terms of both structure and function.
• Explain the biological mechanisms underlying the growth and development of animals and explain the endocrine system of animals, in terms of both structure and function.
• Explain differences between different types of animals, in terms of both structure and function.

• Identify parts of an animal cell and make a diagram
• Describe the major features of a living animal cell, including structure and function.
• Explain an example of how cells interact in live animals.
• Explain cell function for 3 different types of cells in animals.
• Differentiate between the composition of three different types of animal tissues, using illustrations.
• Explain functions of 4 different animal tissue types.
• Distinguish between the major animal types used in primary production, including birds, fish, ruminants, and non ruminants.
• List different types of products commercially produced or derived from various farm or wild animals.
• Explain the role of pastures for animal husbandry, in your locality.
• Report on the scope of animal production in your locality.
• Describe the processes of nutrient and waste exchange in animal cells.
• Label diagrams of the digestive system of these three different animals.
• Describe the processes occurring in digestion, in each section of the digestive system.