Animal Welfare Science BSc (Hons)

In this module, you will learn the essential concepts and skills that form the backbone of a degree in biological sciences. Through theory and practical sessions this module will systematically guide you through every level of biological organisation, from the smallest cellular structures through to studying animal behaviour and ecology. Throughout this module you will develop academic, practical and analysis skills to support your career development as you advance your studies in the biological sciences.

In this module, you will explore the fundamentals of scientific research, including how to develop research questions, work with relevant literature, understand basic statistical concepts and communicate research findings. Key biological topics, such as advanced physiology and genetics, will be covered, with an emphasis on connecting theory to practice. Subsequently, you will then focus on topics specific to your course, such as animal behaviour or microbiology. You will gain hands-on experience in laboratory techniques and data analysis, applying these methods to various practical activities. Overall this module will train you in the methodologies of scientific research while enhancing your knowledge of theory relevant to your course.

This module aims to help you develop an understanding of animal husbandry and the role it plays in maintaining good animal health, welfare, and production. You will explore the ethical and social impacts of animal use across different systems and consider how we can monitor welfare including legal frameworks and welfare standards. Additionally, you will develop and enhance your knowledge of animal housing; animal nutrition, including basic nutrition calculations; animal reproduction; and disease management, including an introduction to the concepts of pathogenesis, epidemiology, disease monitoring and surveillance, and preventative healthcare. You will be encouraged to integrate knowledge across these topics and consider strategies to maximise welfare, health and production. Overall, this module will equip you with the knowledge of animal husbandry and welfare required to improve animal health.

This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to gain further practical skills and develop your own projects. You will explore various experimental methods through subject-specific workshops in the laboratory. Working in groups, you will apply these skills and your previous training in formulating research questions, to conduct your own study. In doing so you will need to consider ethical factors and practical constraints where relevant. At the end of the module, you will be able to present your findings as a group, showcasing your ability to conduct an experiment and communicate results effectively. 

A range of optional language modules are also available for students in place of the project-based learning in Biosciences module.

These modules will help you develop both oral and written communication skills in your chosen language through engagement with a range of material covering cultural, personal and social topics. Modules are available at different levels depending on your prior experience (e.g. no experience, prior GCSE qualification, or prior A-Level qualification). Languages offered may include Chinese, French, German and Spanish. 

Further details on the language module options can be found here.

This module is designed to develop your understanding on the science of animal welfare, in particular, on the wide variety of methods available for welfare assessment. This module will equip you with theoretically informed practical skills to assess animal welfare in a variety of real life settings. For this, case studies will be used for you to demonstrate your ability to assess animal welfare in the role of an animal welfare officer/advisor.

This module is aimed at developing your understanding and knowledge about the biological links between animal health and welfare. You will build on your understanding of disease and develop an ability to investigate animals for signs of disease across a variety of species. You will further develop your understanding on clinical features of common infectious and non-infectious diseases, where you will be placed in the role of an animal health and welfare advisor to solve real world case scenarios in this field.

From lizards basking to lions hunting, animal behaviour arises from complex interactions between physiology, cognition, and environmental cues. This module explores how these processes shape behaviour, using a range of invertebrate and vertebrate examples. Through blended, active learning, you will gain skills in critical evaluation, study design, and scientific communication. Topics include sensory attraction, social learning, competition, mating, biological clocks, stress, memory, and animal cultures. You will also examine real-world applications, addressing animal welfare, human impact, climate change, and conservation efforts like species preservation and captive breeding programs.

In this module, you will have the opportunity to put theory into practice and build essential skills for your future career by gaining invaluable real-world experience through a range of experiential activities (e.g., volunteering, workplace engagement, research projects, field trip (where available and dependent on course), or through a combination of activities). You will develop practical, analytical, and professional skills relevant to your subject, while also enhancing transferable skills that are vital in any graduate-level role. 

Through hands-on experiences, you will critically reflect on your personal and professional growth, using these insights to shape your career path and identify areas for continued development. You'll take ownership of your learning, ensuring that you can effectively articulate your employability skills in a professional context, and be well-prepared for the workplace. This module empowers you to explore new environments, apply your knowledge, and discover how your academic training translates into real-world impact, boosting your confidence and work readiness. 

It is your responsibility to organise any experience undertaken outside of the university as part of this module although you will be provided with support from university staff.

All activities within this module must be university-level; this means:  

• Undertaking high-skilled work commensurate with level 5 study (e.g. report writing, attending meetings, delivering presentations, producing spreadsheets, writing content on webpages, social media, marketing services/products etc.)  
• Meeting the professional expectations of the experiential activities you undertake 
• Where applicable, your existing part-time employer can be approached/used as an experiential activity provider, if the role aligns with your career development and provides you with high skilled work commensurate with level 5 study. 

In this module, you will have the opportunity to put theory into practice and build essential skills for your future career by gaining invaluable real-world experience through a structured, university-level work placement for 4, 5 or 7 weeks as one continuous block / period with a placement provider (i.e. a local employer from the private, public, or charitable sector). You will develop practical, analytical, and professional skills relevant to your subject, while also enhancing transferable skills that are vital in any graduate-level role. Therefore this module will enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting.

Through hands-on experiences, you will critically reflect on your personal and professional growth, using these insights to shape your career path and identify areas for continued development. You'll take ownership of your learning, ensuring that you can effectively articulate your employability skills in a professional context, and be well-prepared for the workplace. This module empowers you to explore new environments, apply your knowledge, and discover how your academic training translates into real-world impact, boosting your confidence and work readiness.

It is your responsibility to organise the placement as part of this module although you will be provided with support from university staff.

All work placements within this module must be university-level; this means:

• Undertaking high-skilled work commensurate with level 5 study (e.g. report writing, attending meetings, delivering presentations, producing spreadsheets, writing content on webpages, social media, marketing services/products etc.)
• Physically placed (albeit part of it can be hybrid) within an employer setting in one continuous block / period for 4, 5 or 7 weeks for a minimum of 140-147 hours over the course of the entire work placement
• Where applicable, your existing part-time employer can be approached/used as the placement provider, if the high-skilled work criterion above is fulfilled for the full duration of the placement.
• All quality assurances/agreements provided by the University are adhered to, by you and the employer.

The work placement context may not necessarily, reflect your degree discipline per se, but rather, it will give you an enriched experience to enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting.

Or you can choose ONE of the following:

• University Placement Year Optional
• Subject Placement Year Optional
• International University Placement Year Optional

This module will equip you with the interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills essential for success in a wide range of careers within the life sciences, and sustainability sectors. Key themes include sustainability and Carbon Literacy, stakeholder engagement, and ethical decision-making. You will develop competencies in communication, including group work, peer-to-peer presentations, and pitching ideas to diverse audiences. Through seminars and collaborative group work, you will apply entrepreneurial thinking and leadership skills to develop a Communication Piece for your assessment. This module provides you with the tools to understand and apply sustainability principles alongside commercial awareness and policy considerations, enhancing your graduate employability and preparing you to navigate complex professional environments while driving meaningful change in your chosen field.

In this module you will cover a broad range of conservation theories and techniques and how they can be used and applied to conservation management of wild animals. This module enables you to consider what your existing knowledge of genetics, ecology and animal behaviour can bring to animal conservation. The module will include key case studies along with a strong practical component giving you the chance to try out skills in genetic analysis to study the population structure of a species. You will also demonstrate learning of new perspectives in conservation genetics, wildlife forensics, animal behaviour and management and reflect on their applicability to conservation efforts.

In this module, you will engage in the research of a selected topic relevant to your course. You will have the opportunity to delve deeply into a subject of your choice, utilising primary and secondary sources to inform your work. You will consider the ethics and health and safety aspects of conducting your project, and apply your prior training in experimental design and analysis. Throughout the process, you will develop your critical thinking and analytical skills, whilst conducting this independent research with the support of a lecturer. The dissertation represents a substantial piece of scholarly work that demonstrates your understanding and application of scientific concepts relevant to your course. Additionally, you will refine your skills in academic writing and effective communication of complex ideas. Overall, the dissertation represents the culmination of your education, preparing you to become a biological scientist.

This module is designed to advance students’ understanding on the breadth of animal characteristics and associated welfare issues that are morally relevant for ethical and legislative concern. Here, students will learn how to critically evaluate animal welfare legislation in light of the moral standing of animals. Students will also acquire important principles in legislation and policy development, which are key to ensuring sustained ethical treatment of animals under human care.

This module is aimed at developing your understanding on human-animal interactions and respective implications for animal welfare. You will also develop comprehensive understanding of the psychological nature of human behavioural change to achieve successful animal welfare outcomes. You will also develop advanced understanding of effective communication skills for achieving animal welfare goals in future practical settings. You will be placed in the role of an animal welfare advisor/consultant to solve real world case scenarios, through case studies, which will help equip students with relevant employability skills.