Applied Animal Science (Top-up)

This course is a top-up to convert the FdSc Animal Science degree (or a Foundation Degree in a similar subject area such as animal management, welfare or conservation) into a full Honours Degree.

Your studies will encompass a dedicated research project in an area of animal or land-based science that interests you. The course explores a broad range of topics to provide you with an in-depth knowledge of current issues in animal science, such as sustainable food production, conservation, bioethics and behavioural ecology.

The course focusses strongly on developing the leadership and practical skills required by employers. You will undertake training and attend conferences that complement your interests and career aspirations, ensuring a comprehensive and advanced skillset and making you an effective and confident practitioner. Examples have included The Mammal Society Conference, ecological surveying, animal nursing qualification and dog grooming qualifications.

Each module is worth a specified number of credits: you take a combination of compulsory (and if available optional modules) enabling you to cover key subject knowledge while developing your own interests. For full time students a total of 120 credits will be studied in each academic year. This will consist of 5 modules comprising of 4 modules at 20 credits and the dissertation module at 40 credits. For part time students it will depend on the intensity of your studies.

Contemporary Issues in Animal Science - 20 credits
Professional Skills & Project Management - 20 credits
Dissertation - 40 credits

You will choose two of the following option modules offered in semester one and two (one per semester):

Bioethics and Anthrozoology - 20 credits
Birds: Conservation and Management - 20 credits
Sustainable Food Production - 20 credits
Coastal Ecology (Prerequisite module required) - 20 credits

There are two formal or summative assessed pieces of work for each module. Assessment methods can include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and projects. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark. In addition to formal assessments throughout modules of study there will be developmental (formative) assessments to support you with developing greater understanding of your progress.

The balance of assessment by examination/test, coursework and practical depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by coursework is as follows:

78% coursework 22% exams/test

We recognise feedback as an essential component of your learning and progression. We adopt a feed-forward approach whereby feedback is given in a developmental manner to support your continued progression. You will receive feedback on all assessments within 20 working days.