Attendance is mandatory. There is no opportunity to make up sessions or elements of the course. Students are responsible for material covered during their absence. Missing two or more days will result in a failing grade.

Active attention and participation in discussion will dramatically improve your experience, understanding of concepts, and final grade.

The course schedule indicates the general daily schedule for the course. As opportunities arise that have instructional value, the course schedule is subject to change on short notice. Your patience and flexibility is appreciated.

A final exam will be conducted. All material assigned, all discussions, and all presentations by classmates are fair game for the exam. Further details will be discussed on the orientation day.

Students must comply with all biosecurity requirements at sites visited.

The University Policy on class cancellation for weather, along with the observance of University Holidays, will be followed.

The Student Honor Code applies to this course. Any suspicion of cheating will result in an “incomplete” grade for all involved until a complete investigation can be conducted.

All student conduct, including classroom behavior, client communication, peer interactions, and deportment in VDPAM 480 activities is considered part of each student’s professionalism evaluation which will be reflected in your final grade. Understand during this rotation you are acting as a representative of the Swine Medicine Education Center, Iowa State University, and the veterinary profession.

You will be handling real client information and cases. Respect client confidentiality and realize that even the rumor of health issues can adversely impact profitability, employee morale, and regulatory compliance for that producer. Discussing client cases outside of the rotation is strictly forbidden, even to employees of a system you may have visited, as many or these organizations are quite large and information is not always shared in an expeditive manner. Failure to maintain confidentiality reflects poorly on your professionalism and Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine. Any suspicion of violation of confidentiality policies will result in an “incomplete” grade for all involved until a complete investigation can be conducted.

Collecting audio or video of farm or course activities without the specific permission of the course instructors is strictly prohibited. Additionally, posting any photographs, audio, or video from farms or the course to the internet is strictly prohibited. Such activity will result in immediate dismissal from the course and a failing grade. This is a violation of respect for client confidentiality. The course instructors have experience considering how well intentioned audio or video might be used to disparage students, the University, or pork producers.

Cell phones are allowed during farm visits (according to farm biosecurity), and necessary for this rotation since you will be in the field unsupervised for a portion of this rotation. This will allow you to contact instructors and producers with questions.

Farm day attire: Dress according to the biosecurity of the farm to be visited. In general, you will be in disposable coveralls and plastic boot coverings, but expect to get dirty and have the ability to remove soiled boots and coveralls before entering any vehicle or traveling to another farm. On these days, expect to leave campus early (before 8 am) and return late (after 5 pm).

Rounds day attire: Jeans are acceptable, but professional demeanor/presentation must be maintained.

ISU students will be using university-owned vehicles for travel to the farm sites. You are expected to fuel, clean, and disinfect the vehicles after use and to properly dispose of all garbage. Visiting students may need to provide your own transportation for farm visits.

Clients will be contacted after your visits for feedback on your professionalism, client interaction skills and technical proficiency during your visit to their farms.