Animal Behaviour and Welfare Foundation Degree FdSc - 2012:13
Why Study Here
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Animal Management Centre with exotic, companion, farm and wild animals
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Availability of on-site facilities for developing animal management skills
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Industry experience provides an invaluable opportunity to work with a variety of species
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Fieldwork with animals on campus and in relevant commercial settings
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Industry links with local and national organisations such as Wolf Conservation UK and Chessington Zoo
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Study of skills required for small business management
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Top up to a degree in one further year
Application Process Application followed by individual interview
Entry Requirements
160 UCAS points as demonstrated by:
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BTEC National Diploma in a relevant subject
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An A Level profile showing a competent performance in at least two subjects with supporting GCSE passes at grades A-C
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An Access to Higher Education Certificate
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Other relevant Level 3 qualifications e.g. NVQ 3 or Advanced Diploma
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Mature students with extensive work experience and/or relevant professional qualifications.
You will need to be confident working with a range of animal species. Places are subject to successful interview and offer
Content / Overview
This course specifically focuses on the subject of animal welfare and behaviour and is designed to allow you to explore this fascinating and increasingly relevant topic through a combination of theory and practical studies.
You will investigate the behaviour and welfare of companion and exotic species, supported by the study of the wide range of species in the College's Animal Management Centre and in relevant commercial settings. Underpinning theory is delivered in the classroom. Industrial experience, assessed through the professional development module over two years, will be undertaken in a related field and will give you invaluable experience in your specialism. Possibilities include behaviour clinics, welfare organisations or working within zoological collections.
Knowledge & Understanding
On successful completion students will be able to:
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Provide excellence in terms of industry standards
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Achieve a recognised level five qualification to enable progression into employment within the animal behaviour/welfare sector, or progression to a full honours degree qualification
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Practice skills for independent work and learning
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Work with a gain experience with a range of companion, exotic and commercial species
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Be familiar with a breadth of topics related to the behaviour and welfare of animals in human care
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Practice refined skills and knowledge important in career development
Cognitive (Thinking) Skills
On successful completion students will be able to:
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Recognise and apply theory, concepts and principles from diverse disciplines appropriately.
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Critically analyse information synthesizing and summarising the outcomes
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Apply knowledge and understanding to address both familiar and novel problems
Practical Skills
On successful completion students will be able to:
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Collect and record information or data from primary or secondary sources including library, laboratory or field, summarizing it using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques.
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Devise, plan and undertake field and laboratory investigations in a responsible and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, rights of access, relevant health and safety regulations, legal requirements and sensitivity to impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders.
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Appreciate and analyse financial and other management information and use in decision making.
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Demonstrate competence in a variety of practical skills used by the industry in the hands on management of captive/ non-captive domesticated/ non-domesticated animals
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Approach day to day animal management tasks, problems and issues with the practical skills to generate appropriate solutions, individually or as part of a team
Transferable (Key) Skills
On successful completion, students will be able to:
Self awareness skills
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Take responsibility for own learning and plan for and record own personal development
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Recognise own academic strengths and weaknesses, reflect on performance and progress and respond to feedback
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Organise self effectively, agreeing and setting realistic targets, accessing support where appropriate and managing time to achieve targets
Communication skills
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Express ideas clearly and unambiguously in writing and the spoken word (including CV writing)
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Present, challenge and defend ideas effectively
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Actively listen to ideas of others in an unbiased way
Interpersonal skills
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Work well with others in a group or team
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Work flexibly and respond to change
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Discuss and debate with others and make concessions to reach agreement
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Give, accept and respond to constructive feedback
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Show sensitivity and respect for diverse values and beliefs
Research and information literacy skills
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Search for and select relevant sources of information
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Evaluate information and use it appropriately
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Apply the ethical and legal requirements in both the access and use of information
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Accurately cite and reference information sources
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Use software and IT technology as appropriate
Numeracy
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Appreciate issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collection recording and analysis of data
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Handle and understand number as required for context
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Interpret and apply data to inform judgements
Management and Leadership Skills
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Determine the scope of a task (or project).
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Identify resources needed to undertake the task (or project) and to schedule and manage the resources
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Evidence ability to successfully complete and evaluate a task (or project), revising the plan where necessary
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Motivate and direct others to enable an effective contribution from all participants
Creativity and Problem Solving skills
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View problems from a range of perspectives to find solutions to problems
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Imagine, create and exploit ideas
Course Modules
Year 1: Professional development in the work environment 1 (30 credits Level 4), pure and applied animal behaviour (30 credits Level 4), animal health and welfare (15 credits Level 4), evolution and domestication (15 credits Level 4), practical projects - training, enrichment and welfare (30 credits Level 4). Total 120 credits.
Year 2: Professional development in the work environment 2 (30 credits Level 5), investigative project (15 credits Level 5), management of animal collections (15 credits Level 5), animal and human interactions (30 credits Level 5), wild animal welfare and behaviour (15 credits Level 5), companion animal welfare and behaviour (15 credits Level 5). Total 120 credits.
Assessment Most modules will have 2-4 pieces of assessment. An integral part of the course is your own self-study of topics covered in formal sessions. As a guide, you should spend at least one hour of personal study for every hour of formal learning.
You will be continually assessed through coursework in the form of written and practical assignments, essays, project work, practical skills tests and oral presentations, including poster demonstrations.
Careers Top up to a degree in one more year on the Animal Behaviour and Welfare BSc (Hons) at the College to expand your understanding of the industry and specialise in your chosen area. Alternatively, you could apply for degrees in animal sciences or related subjects at other institutions.
Contact Details Merrist Wood College: email: mwinfo@guildford.ac.uk or Tel: 01483 88 40 40 UCAS: www.ucas.com or Tel: 0871 46 80 468
All students aged 19 years or over on 1 September in the first year of their course are expected to pay tuition, registration, exam fees and all other course related costs. Some assistance with these costs may be available depending on your circumstances and the latest government funding position. There are normally no tuition, registration or examination fees to pay if you are aged 16-18 on 1 September in the first year of your course and are a British or European Union resident. This does not apply to HNCs/Ds, Foundation Degrees, Degrees or courses that do not attract government funding.
More information on fees and financial help More information on international student fees