Applied Animal Management

The FdSc Applied Animal Management programme is designed to reflect ongoing developments within the animal industry including the use of working animals within society, the need to protect and enhance the habitats and populations of animal species as well as the importance of enhancing animal health and welfare through the use of evidence-driven practice provided by the work of a broad range of animal manual therapists.

Competent practical animal husbandry and handling/restraint skills, within the industry as a whole, are paramount and as such the course enables students to work with a range of domestic, farm, exotic and wildlife species, within industry environments. This provides students with valuable experience for gaining insight into the different sectors of the industry, observing differences within practice (including specialist equipment use) and networking for future volunteering and career opportunities.

The course is based around four main themes:

• Animal husbandry: health, disease, nutrition, behaviour, breeding, habitat and the enhancement of welfare

• Animal training: learning theories and training programmes designed for health reasons, scent detection, support therapy and entertainment

• Animal preservation: disease prevention and control, rescue and rehabilitation, and breeding for the conservation of species

• Animal physical therapies: principles & methodologies, health and well-being benefits and the use of evidence-based treatment

Typical Modules Include:

Level 4:
Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
Animal Health and Disease
Comparative Animal Nutrition
Animal Husbandry and Collection Management
Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Professional Skills and Biological Principles

Level 5:
Evolution and Ecology
Animals in Society
Animal Cognition and Training
Wildlife Management, Rescue and Rehabilitation
Introduction to Animal Physical Therapies
Research Methods and Project Preparation

*Optional modules will run where there are sufficient student numbers, otherwise an alternative option module may be offered.

The assessment methods typically used throughout the programme include:
Practical
Demonstrations
Presentations
Reports