Animal Management (with Foundation Year)

Develop practical animal husbandry skills, and an in-depth knowledge of topics such as nutrition, breeding, health and behaviour.

The UK animal sector is made up of a large number of enterprises, each demanding specialist knowledge and skills. However, practical competence and commercial awareness underpin everything – and our industry-focused course is designed with this in mind.

As well as looking at practical animal management, we’ll explore business and trade as it relates to the animal sector.

You’ll be taught by subject-specialist staff, and benefit from campus facilities including dedicated canine and equine centres, a small animal unit and a working farm. Throughout your course, there’s the chance to join ‘behind the scenes’ trips and other experiences.

In years 2-3, you have a choice of modules so that you can concentrate your knowledge in particular areas of animal management: bioveterinary science, zoo and wildlife conservation, livestock technology, or pet behaviour and welfare.

There are a number of ways to study this course. As well as our 3-year full-time degree (6 years part-time), you have the option of studying over:

• 1 year to gain a Certificate in Higher Education

• 4 years including a foundation year, to gain a BSc

All BSc students study the same modules (with the addition of foundation year modules for those taking the 4-year course). Cert HE students study Year 1 BSc modules.

Year 1: Academic and Personal Management Skills, Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills), Maths for IT and Science, Chemistry for Life Sciences, Applied Industry Techniques, Independent (Themed) Project. Year 2: Professional Skills for the Animal Industry, Animal Biology, Ethics of Animal Use, Human-Animal Interaction, Animal Husbandry, Ecology and Evolution. Year 3: Research Methods, Commercial and Professional Skills for Animal Science, Behaviour, Animal Health and Welfare, Principles of Animal Nutrition, Reproduction and Breeding, Livestock Production Systems, Management of Zoo Animal Collections, Professional Practice and Legislation, Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Animal Rescue, Rehabilitation and Rehoming, Livestock from Farm to Fork, Wildlife Conservation Skills, Applied Behaviour and Training, Veterinary Immunology. Year 4: Capstone Project, Applied Nutrition and Feeding, Applied Health Management, Strategies and Issues in Animal Breeding, Applied Behaviour and Animal Welfare, Livestock Technology, Applied Issues in Wildlife Conservation, Clinical Animal Behaviour, Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, Developments in Livestock Production, Developments in Zoo Management, Developing Clinical Practice, Veterinary Ethics and Legislation, Conservation Planning and Development.

Student progress is assessed in a number of ways to ensure practical and academic competence, including assignments, reports, written examinations, observed structured practical examinations, observed structured clinical examinations, oral presentations, debates, and a dissertation.