VET30430 Animal Behaviour & Welfare

Academic Year 2021/2022

“Veterinarians are, and must continually strive to be, the leading advocates for the good welfare
of animals in a continually evolving society.” (FVE/AVMA 2011).

Broad concepts and key issues are used to introduce four synergistic disciplines: veterinary behavioural medicine, animal welfare science, animal law and veterinary ethics. The module addresses the first two European Veterinary Education in Animal Welfare: Day-1 competences (FVE & EAEVE, 2019):
1. Appraise different concepts as well as analytical frameworks of animal welfare and how they relate to practice and to the context in which they are set.
2. Apply sound principles to objectively evaluate the welfare status of animals and to recognise good and poor welfare.

Blended learning may be used in the context of Covid-19 restrictions and other circumstances, with lectures online. Face to face teaching in smaller groups are used in this module. Specified learning activities and autonomous learning are supported by learning resources on Brightspace.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module the student should be able to:
1. Appraise different concepts as well as analytical frameworks of animal welfare and how they relate to practice and to the context in which they are set.
2. Apply sound principles to objectively evaluate the welfare status of animals and to recognise good and poor welfare.

Indicative Module Content:

The module introduces four synergistic disciplines: Animal Welfare Science, Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, Animal Law and Veterinary Ethics.

Broad concepts of each discipline will be discussed followed by thematic issues. For example, socialisation, behavioural needs, social grouping and hierarchy, injurious behaviour, painful procedures, production diseases.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Small Group

6
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

75
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Face to face lectures using knowledge discovery and sharing will form the main approach to teaching and learning. Group workshops will be used to facilitate student-centred learning. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students attending this module should have a strong foundation in biological sciences


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
VNUR10270 - Principles of Animal Behaviour


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Students will be assigned to study groups to prepare and present research on an animal welfare topic. The presentations are scheduled in the animal welfare tutorial sessions starting in mid-October. Varies over the Trimester n/a Other No

30
Multiple Choice Questionnaire (Short): The assessment is conducted online. A variety of question formats are used including single best answer (multiple choice), matching sets, and short answer. Week 12 n/a Other Yes

70

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Optional feedback appointments are available to students.

Name Role
Dr Siobhan Mullan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Sandra Nicholson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Maurice Kinsella Tutor
Assoc Professor Susan Rackard Tutor