Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare)

This course will provide you with sound academic and practical knowledge of the disciplines and factors that relate to animal management and welfare. It has been designed to give you the opportunity to acquire knowledge of animal husbandry, anatomy and physiology, animal behaviour, animal nutrition and business.

There is an increasing demand for people with a combination of both academic and practical competence within the animal management sector, therefore, the programme is vocational, with an applied nature of both practical and theoretical aspects fundamental for a career within this area.

What You Study

• Animal health and welfare

• Business and the business environment

• Managing a successful project

• Animal husbandry

• Animal anatomy and physiology

• Animal behaviour in society

• Animal collection management

Learning and Teaching Approach
This programme is delivered with a variety of learning and teaching approaches to include all students’ learning styles and preferences. For all modules, theory lectures are delivered that aim to deliver the core content and provide the underpinning knowledge.

You will have group seminars / practical sessions that are used to reinforce concepts delivered theoretically. The teaching methods focus on facilitating a student centred approach to enhance the independent learning that takes place outside of the classroom.
This is a vocational programme with an applied nature that is emphasised throughout the programme. It includes business and the opportunity for students to gain skills in managing a project – providing excellent transferable skills and enable students to set up their own business.

There is a strong emphasis on applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations using our excellent animal facilities.

The course content is specifically designed to be appropriate to the needs of the animal management industry and to enable students to progress to the second year of the FdSc Animal Management & Behaviour.

What is the contact time?
Approximately 17-21 hours a week to include lectures, seminars, work experience, practicals and tutorials. Students are also expected to carry out a significant amount of private study (approx. 25-30 hours a week) in addition to contact time. The part-time route incorporates approximately 9-13 hours of contact time per week, and independent study of (approximately 12-15 hours a week). Students can expect to receive their timetables during induction week.

What else can I expect?

• Animal Management Unit housing a wide range of species including meerkats, racoon dogs, primates, alpacas, marsupials, invertebrates, tropical and marine fish, reptiles, rodents and a nocturnal house.

• Dedicated dog training area, commercial dog kennels and grooming facilities, commercial sheep and beef enterprises, equine yard and schools.

• Additional facilities include Science Centre, IT suites, dedicated University Centre, study spaces and social areas, and modern Learning Resources Centre.

• Online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) used to enhance and facilitate teaching and independent learning on all programmes.

• Our experienced Life Coaches are on hand to help you through your University journey from mentoring and coaching to health, wellbeing and resilience. Learn more about how our Life Coaches can support you: https://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/university-centre/life-skills-team-at-ucbb

• Students have access to a range of support through our study skills, and health and wellbeing teams. Further information can be found on our website: https://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/student-life/student-support

• Relevant extra-curricular activity and/or work experience is encouraged of all students in order to enhance learning.

What will I study?

Animal health and welfare
Business and the business environment
Animal husbandry
Animal anatomy and physiology
Animal behaviour in society
Animal nutrition
Animal collection management
Managing a successful project.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including written assignments, presentations, practical demonstrations and project work. There are no formal examinations. Opportunities for feedback on assessments are available prior to the final submission to support your development and achievement. Staff aim to return assessed work within a 20 working day timeframe (not including holidays) so that you can most benefit from the feedback.