Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation (Top-Up)

Why choose this course?
The BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation top-up programme follows on from our FdSc Applied Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation. It provides a balanced package of skills and knowledge, tailored for those wishing to enter an animal care sector profession.

You will:
Develop and advance their existing knowledge in the core themes of animal welfare, behaviour and conservation
Design and implement a research study of their choice
Gain personal and professional development to maximise employability within the industry
Have access to a veterinary clinical suite, bespoke training area and Cruft’s standard agility course
Enjoy off site visits to animal charities, wildlife centres and other industry related venues.

Key Course Features:
Develop high-level knowledge of animal behaviour, training, welfare, and conservation
Urban and rural study environments - split your study time between the Northop campus set in the stunning North Wales countryside and our Wrexham campus, on the edge of the largest town in North East Wales
Excellent links with industry
Opportunities to carry out your own research project in a specialism of your choice within variety of settings
Industry-active staff with specialist academic and practical skills, and experience of working with a range of domestic, and wild animals
Join our zoological society and enjoy a range of events, activities and trips throughout the year
Progression from the BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation Science includes employment or postgraduate study

What you will study
The Top Up year provides students with the opportunity to complete their own unique piece of research, thus enabling them to focus on a topic of choice. Conservation and animal welfare assessment are concentrated on in this year, together with sustainable animal practices. Career development is also a central theme, and third years are expected to complete additional professional development activities alongside their degree to enhance their chances of employment.

MODULES
Research skills and professional development: The module aims to equip students with the skills to evaluate research design critically as applicable to equine science and welfare management, to select and justify appropriate methods for data collection and analysis, and to reflect on personal development over the duration of the programme of study in preparation for future employment.

Research Project: This module aims to ensure students can critically evaluate research and will guide students through the completion of a research-based study of a specialised area related to equine science and welfare management.

Animal Welfare Assessment: This module will enable students to explore how animal welfare can be assessed and improved in a range of environments and situations. Students will investigate the physical, physiological and behavioural adaptations of animals resulting from their modern use and husbandry.

Sustainable Animal Practices: This module explores sustainable practices in the animal industry, emphasising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainability challenges and draw from different disciplines to offer sustainable solutions.

Conservation Policy: This module aims to introduce students to the range of contemporary threats to biodiversity across the UK. Students will explore the role and the range of conservation polices that work towards protecting biodiversity in the UK and understand the range of socioeconomic impacts of these policies.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Teaching & Assessment
Modules are assessed in a wide variety of ways. This includes academic essays, research posters, presentations, seminar discussions, exams, portfolios, reflective practice and practical assessment. The balance between the different forms of assessment is determined by the different aims and learning outcomes of the modules.

Teaching and learning

Module delivery is achieved through a combination of theoretical lectures, seminar discussions, guest lectures, educational visits, and practical work. Between lectures, students are expected to read around their subjects making use of the detailed reading lists published in Module Guides.

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.