This module will teach you how pathology is underpinned by a series of biological mechanisms and concepts that can be applied to all diseases. By identifying these shared mechanisms, you will be able to look at diseases and understand how they develop and how they go on to impact humans and animals. This module will highlight the interrelatedness of biological systems and how a disease in one organ or tissue can directly and indirectly impact another, adding to the impact of the disease. The module will consider disease at every biological level, from cellular and tissue pathology, to systemic pathology, that looks at organ systems and the consequences of diseases upon them.

This module allows you to study a wide variety of techniques and processes used to assess health and disease in animals including quality assurance processes that take place in laboratories. From initial investigations that may assess simple anatomical and physiological changes, to techniques that look at changes at the molecular and biochemical level. In all cases, this module aims to develop your investigative skills, with the intention of identifying the causes of a variety of diseases that impact animals in different ways. Techniques that you will learn about vary from diagnostic imaging, looking at x-rays and ultrasonography, to cellular analyses looking at haematology and cytology, to chemical analyses of physiologically significant molecules, or identification of biomarkers that may act as indicators of disease.

This module will allow you to consider the importance of microbiology in the world today. By considering the diversity of microorganisms and the impact they have on the wider world, this module will develop your knowledge and skills related to microbiology and allow you to apply your understanding to a diverse range of topics. This module will provide a comprehensive understanding of how microorganisms impact society, looking at how microorganisms can result in infectious diseases, how microbial ecology is vital to maintain environmental health, and how microbiology can be applied at the commercial and industrial level to benefit society.

This module provides an overview of key topics in animal behaviour and welfare, including foundational concepts, methods of assessment, and relevant policies. It examines biological factors affecting animal well-being and their connection to management practices in captivity. You will explore the application of welfare assessments and consider the broader impact of human-animal interactions. The module also addresses challenges in various settings, offering opportunities to develop strategies for improving welfare in real-world scenarios. 

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 5 weeks with a placement provider. 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. 

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. Please note there are additional costs associated with some options.

A range of optional language or term abroad modules are also available for students in place of the Work Placement or Experiential Learning modules.

Language modules provide the opportunity for you to further develop your language skills, and all include a placement abroad. There are different language modules available depend on your prior experience and languages offered may include Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Alternatively, you can choose an experiential overseas learning module which involves a placement abroad typically in an English-speaking destination. Finally, there is a module designed to prepare those students who are choosing to study abroad for a year after their second year. Please note there are additional costs associated with most of these options. 

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

Between second and third year, you can undertake an optional placement or study abroad year. If you choose a placement year you would identify a suitable industrial placement and take a year-out from your university studies to undertake that placement. If you choose a study abroad year you would go abroad and study there for a year; courses are taught in English worldwide and you can travel to North America, Oceania, Asia and the rest of the world. Please note there are additional costs associated with these options.