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MSc Animal Behaviour and Welfare

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Subject

Animal Sciences

Level

Master's Degree (Level 7)

Duration

1 year full-time/2 years part-time

Start Date

September 2025

The course

Do you want to take your knowledge of animal behaviour and welfare to the next level?

Do you want to develop the skills to undertake robust animal welfare assessments?

Do you want a comprehensive and critical understanding of the ethical, legal and welfare issues related to animal welfare?

Then our unique Masters programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to stand out in an increasingly populated field.

Course Information

  • To develop an analytical and comprehensive understanding of animal welfare in society and the controversial ethical consideration within a range of situations.
  • Allow you to select and utilise appropriate measures to monitor and assess animal behaviour and welfare, which is underpinned by current theory and accurate application of scientific techniques.
  • To ensure that you are independent thinking and can communicate confidently and effectively within a professional and research context.
  • Enable you to obtain analytical and systematic thought processes appropriate for working and researching within the animal and related industries.

Year 1

  • FULL TIME (credits):
  • Research Methods (20)
  • Animal Behaviour Theories (20)
  • Health, Welfare and Ethics (20)
  • Animal Welfare Across Contexts (20)
  • Applied Animal Welfare (20)
  • Human-Animal Interactions and Psychology (20)
  • Independent Research Project (60)
  • PART TIME YEAR 1 (credits):
  • Research Methods (20)
  • Animal Behaviour Theories (20)
  • Health, Welfare and Ethics (20)
  • Animal Welfare Across Contexts (20)

Year 2

  • PART TIME YEAR 2 (credits):
  • Applied Animal Welfare (20)
  • Human-Animal Interactions and Psychology (20)
  • Independent Research Project (60)

You will need:

A minimum of a 2.2 honours degree, ideally in biological science subjects or equivalent, but work experience can be taken into account if an unrelated qualification is held.

An appropriate academic reference

Life and/or experience of non-traditional students will be taken into account when considering applications. The successful completion of an entry task may be required when considering applications without the required formal entry qualifications.

If your first language is not English, or a Tier 4 student visa to study is required and GCSE English at grade 4/C or equivalent is not held, you will need to evidence your English language proficiency level, such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.0 overall (with a minimum 5.5 in each skill).

This programme is delivered with a variety of learning and teaching approaches to include all students learning styles and preferences.

For all modules, theory lectures are delivered that aim to deliver the core content and provide the underpinning knowledge. Using the webinar software, staff are able to monitor engagement to ensure participations.

To complement all theory lectures, you will have asynchronous seminars that are used to reinforce concepts delivered theoretically. Online webinars focus on facilitating a student-centred approach to enhance the independent learning that takes place outside of the webinar lecture sessions.

2024-25 ENTRY

Full-Time:

You will study four modules in the first semester and two in the second semester, alongside completion of the Independent Research Project. This represents approximately six hours of live webinars per week plus a similar amount of time dedicated to directed tasks and tutorials.

Webinars run two nights per week.

Attendance is required at four block sessions at University Centre Bishop Burton.

Dates for the 2024/25 academic year are as follows:

Thursday 19 - Saturday 21 September 2024

Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 October 2024

Saturday 16 November 2024

Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 March 2025

Students must also be available during the week of 26 May 2025 (Tuesday Friday) to deliver their Independent Research Project presentations online.

You are expected to complete a significant amount of private study in addition to class time and directed study (approximately 20 - 40 hours per week).

Part-Time:

You will study two modules per semester except during the final semester when the focus is on completion of the Independent Research Project. This represents approximately three hours of live webinars per week plus a similar amount of time dedicated to directed tasks and tutorials.

Webinars run one night per week.

In the first year, attendance is required at two block sessions at University Centre Bishop Burton.

Dates for the 2024/25 academic year are as follows:

Thursday 19 - Saturday 21 September 2024

Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 March 2025

There will be two block sessions in the second year plus one week where students need to be available to deliver their Independent Research Project presentation. Dates will be confirmed towards the end of your first year but are likely to be around October 2025, November 2025 and May 2026.

You are expected to complete a significant amount of private study in addition to class time (approximately 10 - 20 hours per week).

Relevant extra-curricular activity and/or work experience is encouraged to enhance your learning.
The programme incorporates a variety of assessment methods across each academic year. The mix of assessments will seek to challenge and evaluate your knowledge, understanding and skills. Assessments for this programme include written assignments, webinar presentations, oral presentations, practical reports and demonstrations, evaluations and role-plays. Tutors provide support for assessments in class. There will also be opportunity for formative assessment and feedback during the delivery of each module to monitor learning, and to support and prepare you for the summative assessments which make up the module. Feedback on your summative assessments will be given which will allow you to guide efforts and activities in subsequent modules. Staff aim to return assessed work within a 20-working day timeframe (not including holidays) so that you can most benefit from the feedback.
  • Regular access to a computer with a reliable broadband internet connection in order to participate in webinars, download learning materials, watch recorded webinars and submit assignments.
  • A headset with microphone will be required for participation in webinars and on-line tutorials.
  • Appropriate software is required: Microsoft Office and OpenOffice (freeware) are the only office suites supported.
  • Sturdy footwear suitable for practical sessions.
  • The college has a strict policy of not allowing work boots inside college buildings you will need to have alternative footwear (shoes or trainers) to attend lectures and tutorials.
  • A wide range of resources are available for use both on and offsite for dissertation projects but it may not be possible to purchase/service all requests, therefore students need to be aware that they may need to self-fund some elements.
  • Students will need to fund their own travel, accommodation and food.
  • For any student that requires the use of an assistance dog, prior arrangements must be made with the Programme Leader to ensure suitable facilities and provision is made. Appropriate insurance must be held and evidenced before your dog is permitted onsite.
  • On successful completion of the programme, you will have the opportunity to graduate at a ceremony wearing formal dress. The hire of the formal dress is an additional cost.
Those who wish to continue their studies can do so by taking a PhD.
Upon graduating from this programme you could seek management positions in zoo keeping and education, welfare science, welfare assessment and consultation, environmental enrichment co-ordinator, education and lecturing, and animal rescue and rehabilitation.

Validated by University of Hull

We are proud to collaborate with University of Hull on the validation of this course.

This includes transforming our programmes to ensure that we meet the evolving needs of the sector, giving you the best opportunities for success when you graduate by having a competence-based focus. Find out more about competence-based higher education.

View the policies and procedures you would be agreeing to comply with by registering for this programme. This encompasses University of Hull Quality and Standards, including a Guide for Collaborative Provision students.

Financial Information

Find the full details of the fees associated with this programme and the financial support available.

Careers this course could lead into

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Friday, 1 November 2024 - 09:00 - 15:00

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