Animal Welfare Science

This is the only degree programme in the UK which focuses specifically on Animal Welfare Science, and draws on the expertise of one of the largest Animal Welfare research teams in the world.

Animal welfare is a global issue and becoming increasingly important in terms of food production, sustainability, and meeting societal expectations about animal care, whether they be used for food, for sport or entertainment, or as companions. Animal welfare is relevant to food policy, climate change, wildlife conservation and sustainability.

This course will equip you with an understanding of the issues surrounding the welfare of a wide range of animals, and the knowledge and skills required to develop a career in research, animal management, animal policy or a role in the charitable and non-governmental organisations sector.

This course will provide you with a grounding in animal biology and animal management, followed by a specialised understanding of animal behaviour, animal welfare and the ethics of animal use. You’ll learn to apply the principles of applied animal behaviour to assess animal welfare, and gain the skills to work with different ethical frameworks and their application.

This degree encourages discussion and debate, and will give you a solid scientific understanding of the likely conflicts and complex issues and problems faced by different sectors of animal use; the course addresses food animal production, zoo animals, and companion animals, all taught in a global sustainability context.

Potential modules include:

• Animal Behaviour
• Animal Health
• Animal Conservation
• Animals and Society
• Animal Welfare Concepts
• Animals at the Centre of Global Issues
• Animal Physiology Systems

Modules are assessed separately using a combination of coursework and written examinations. Coursework assessments are very varied and might include for example laboratory reports, practical investigations, case studies, essays, reports, oral presentations and groupwork assignments