Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare)

Do you want to explore a career with captive domestic or exotic animals that aspires to the highest standards of welfare and behavioural diversity, but without the commitment of a full degree?

Students studying this one-year full-time course have regular access to the zoo-licensed animal centre facilities at University Centre Reaseheath, which boasts a range of exotic zoo species, in addition to domestic species. Additionally, you can expect an interactive and personable learning experience that draws upon the expertise of our team of industry experienced staff.

As part of this course, you will develop a range of academic and professional skills, related to the behaviour and welfare of captive animals. Through practical husbandry sessions, ethical debates and behavioural observations, you will gain an appreciation for the goals and challenges of managing animals in a captive environment. This knowledge can be applied to a diversity of careers, with transferable skills working with animals in large or small-scale collections. You can also use this course as a stepping stone to a Foundation Degree in Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare), through the completion of another year of study.

Course Features

• Ethical debates on animal welfare, including guest speakers from a range of backgrounds

• Practical lab sessions for anatomy and physiology

• Opportunities to specialise in domestic or exotic species

• Access to our on-site zoo, home to over 1,000 animals and 150 species including ring-tailed lemurs, porcupines, marmosets, otters, capybaras, owls, bearded dragons, kingsnakes, dart frogs, marine fish and much more

Career Options

• Animal welfare officers

• Animal behaviourists

• Rescue centre animal care

• Zoo-based husbandry and research

• Progress to Foundation Degree in Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare)

Course Modules

Students are expected to study and complete 120 credits which comprises six mandatory modules of study:

• Scientific Communication

• Animal Husbandry and Handling

• Animal Welfare Issues

• Animal Anatomy and Physiology

• Evolution and Adaptation

• Introduction to Animal Behaviour

We design a wide range of assessments that will help you to develop industry standard skills and knowledge. The assessments consist of multiple-choice questions and short essays, practical assessments and presentations and written coursework. This written coursework can be in the form of reports, essays or posters, depending on the module. For Husbandry and Handling, there are assessed practical sessions, reflections and talks.

Feedback

Feedback is supplied via Turnitin or directly from the module tutor. The majority of submissions are made via Turnitin and feedback for coursework is provided within twenty working days after the submission date.

Written feedback will be supported verbally should the student require clarification. Formative assessment feedback will be provided at the time of completion where possible, with more detailed summative feedback for reports.