In order to understand what is best for animals' welfare we need to study the way animals behave and what affects animal welfare with a scientific approach.
Campus
Chester campus
Course
BSc (Hons) Single
Length
3 Years Full-time
Start date
September 2010
This programme gives both practical experience with animals and an academic understanding of animal behaviour, their biology and their welfare.
Why study this course?
The BSc Honours degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare provides a unique combination of rigorous academic study with hands-on training and experience in animal care and welfare. You will have daily contact with animals throughout your first year of study at Reaseheath College in Nantwich, Cheshire.
Here a very large collection of domestic animals and an impressive range of zoo animals gives you the opportunity to learn about the handling and care, not only of domestic mammals and birds, but also reptiles, amphibians, birds of prey, and exotic species including a colony of meerkats and a troop of ring-tailed lemurs. The college farm and trips to Chester Zoo add an even wider range of experience.
The Chester campus offers all the research facilities of a modern university. Here you will explore the more academic understanding of animal behaviour and welfare issues that you gained practical experience of at Reaseheath.
The curriculum at Chester is informed by research and offers a challenging yet supportive academic environment at the cutting edge of knowledge. Work in the field will expand your knowledge of wild animal behaviour and conservation, and there is an opportunity to do dissertation work in the final year of the single honours degree, which allows students to work with lecturing staff on research projects in animal behaviour and welfare.
Features:
Scientific approach to the study of animal behaviour and the welfare of animals. Sound grounding in biology and scientific methods Programme Includes Chester Zoo Membership in the first two years of their studies and trips to Chester Zoo also form part of the course Experience of handling and caring for animals at Reaseheath College including:
The
programme is modular in structure and is delivered at three levels over three
academic years. Some modules are common to other degree pathways, whilst others
are highly specialised and have been developed specifically for the animal
behaviour programmes.
Level 4 (Level 1):
This is based at Reaseheath College and
develops essential skills in the care and welfare of a wide range of animal
species, with an emphasis on practical experience. You will be introduced to
core principles of biological science and more specialist principles in animal
behaviour, with weekly visits to use the facilities on the Chester campus and
to do two modules.
Level 1 modules:
Introduction
to Behaviour in Animals: introduces the major approaches and the principal
discoveries in animal behaviour.
Animal
handling and Care: develops appropriate techniques for handling a range of
captive animals safely and effectively, building knowledge of animal and public
health and safety, and animal husbandry techniques.
Physiology
and Genetics of Behaviour: develops students' knowledge of the genetic basis of
animal behaviour and their understanding of the physiological causes of
behavioural responses.
Animal
Welfare Issues: develops knowledge and understanding of the role of animal
welfare organisations, UK animal welfare legislation and current animal welfare
issues.
Essential
Physiology: provides an introduction to the physiological causes of animal
behaviour, building an understanding of communication and integration within
the body to cause coordinated behavioural responses.
Genetics
an Evolution*: gives an introduction to basic principles and concepts in
genetics and their role in natural selection and the evolution of form and
behaviour.
Quantitative
Principles and Analytical Techniques*: introduces basic forms of data handling
and statistical analysis, with specialist skills in observing and recording
animal behaviour.
*taught at the University of Chester
Level 5 (Level 2):
Based at Chester, this sees a shift in
emphasis to more academic and research-informed subjects. Core concepts in
animal behaviour are studied and skills in research methodology are developed
in lectures and practiced in the field. The applied focus continues with weekly
visits to Reaseheath. A work placement in the summer allows you to test out
your academic knowledge in practice.
Level 2 modules:
Behavioural
Ecology: draws upon evolutionary principles to look at the way animals behave
in relation to their social and physical environments.
Adaptations
to the Environment: looks at the amazing variety of adaptations that animals
have developed to enable them to thrive in a diverse array of environments.
Research
Methods: introduces the wider concept of research philosophy and practice,
developing techniques in sourcing, analysing and communicating written and
numeric information.
Work-based
or Experiential Learning: in the summer term of the second year your choose
either a major field course or a one month work-placement that allows you to
test out your skills and knowledge in the field or in an animal-related
business or concern.
Animal
Health & Disease*: explores the biology of disease and strategies used to
manage health at the individual and population level.
Zoos
and Exotics*: looks at the management of
exotic species including, a wide range of species, including Mammals, Birds,
Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians, Invertebrates and introduces students to the
skills, protocols, techniques and practices involved in the husbandry of exotic
species
*taught at Reaseheath College
Level 6 (Level 3):
There are core modules in Ethics,
Welfare and Applied Animal Behaviour and the Dissertation (as a single or
double module). Students then have a choice of either 3 or 4 optional modules
(depending on whether they choose the single or double dissertation module)
taught by lecturers with research expertise in the area allows you to
specialise according to your interests.
Level 3 modules:
Dissertation*:
a single or double module double module where you pursue your own research
project in animal behaviour or science communication, working closely with a
tutor who has research expertise in the area.
Ethics,
Welfare and Applied Animal Behaviour*: seeks to examine philosophical
approaches to the notion of animal rights, examining the tensions that arise
between animal and human interests, and critically evaluates the extent to
which animal behaviour theory can be used to assess welfare in animals across a
variety of settings.
*Core
module
Animal
Behaviour and Conservation: is an emerging research field at the interface
between animal behaviour and conservation biology, giving students the
opportunity to integrate their existing knowledge of animal behaviour in this applied
context.
Conservation
and Environmental Impact: how scientific knowledge of global ecosystems,
habitats and species is combined with human economic and social development
issues to determine conservation strategies.
Physiology
and Behaviour: builds on earlier modules to examine the latest research and
theory concerning the different ways in which physiological processes act and
interact in bringing about animal behaviour.
Applied
Learning Theory and Behaviour Modification: explores the application of
learning theory to animal training and problem behaviour modification.
Animal
Cognition: explores how we can understand the way animals process information
and perceive their world.
Evolution
and Human Behaviour: explores key theoretical principles of human sociobiology
and evolutionary psychology to show how they illuminate the way humans think
and behave. In essence, it applies the theories and principles of animal
behaviour to studies of human beings.
Your assessments will be by a combination of end-of-module exams and
coursework assignments. They will be designed to foster a broad range of
thinking and communication skills as well as testing your subject understanding
and knowledge.
You will write essays and reports and give oral presentations, developing
your computer skills with a variey of packages along the way.
Your qualification will provide you with an
excellent opportunity to enter the job market with a range of practical skills,
academic knowledge and technical expertise that are useful to employers whose
work deals with animals such as:
Education
officer e.g. in a wildlife park
Animal
welfare inspector
Animal
technician
Countryside
or wildlife manager
Zoo
keeper
Animal
behaviourist
Animal
breeding and genetics
Trainee
veterinary nurse
Research
assistant, e.g. in a pharmaceutical co. or for a wildlife charity
Teaching
and lecturing
Scientific
research and technical support
Farm
manager
Sales
rep, e.g. in animal health products
Animal
care asst e.g. in a dogs' home or a country park
A minimum of 200-240 UCAS points, of which 180-200 points must be obtained from GCE A Levels, including a grade C in one of the subjects recommended by the department. The remaining points may be achieved from GCE AS Levels, or from Level 3 Key Skills.
GCE A Level:
The department recommends one of the following subjects:
GCE A Level: Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, *Psychology, Science GCE Applied A Level: Applied Science
*Must be off ered in combination with either AS Level Biology or AS Level Human Biology GCE Applied A Level: Applied Science
BTEC:
BTEC National Diploma/Certifi cate (Animal Care, Animal Management or Applied Science): merit/distinction profile
Irish/Scottish:
B in 4 (Higher) subjects, including Biology, Chemistry or Human Biology
International Baccalaureate:
24 points, including 4 in Biology or Chemistry
QAA:
QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma (Science), Open College Units or Open University Credits
Extra Information:
OCR National Extended Diploma/Diploma: pass/merit profile plus one of the GCE A Level subjects listed above
The Advanced Diploma: acceptable in combination with one of the GCE A Level subjects listed above
Please note: A BTEC National Award, OCR National Certificate or the Welsh Baccalaureate (core) will be recognised in our tariff offer.
