BSc (Hons) APPLIED BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE AND WELFARE

Resources

• Multi-million pound animal management home to a range of species
• Small mammals, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, aquatics and grazing animals
• Extensive paddock facilities
• 6 custom built aviaries for exotic birds
• Commercial dog grooming salon
• Fully functioning veterinary nursing training suite equipped for teaching purposes.

Typical Employers
Animal rescue centres, animal charities, zoos and wildlife parks, as well as educational institutions and retail outlets.

Industry Links

Students benefit from close ties with a number of different organisations including the Wildlife Heritage Foundation, the Kent Wildlife Trust as well as local zoos, wildlife parks and rare breed centres.

More about Animal Management faculty

Providing a comprehensive grounding in a wide range of issues, this qualification will prepare you for career opportunities in the popular fields of animal welfare and related behavioural sciences. You will develop an understanding of the theories, practices and skills needed to work within the industry and apply this knowledge in the field of companion animals, farm animals and wild animals in captivity. At the end of the course you will have a solid grasp of the different behavioural principles as well as the biological and physiological systems which underpin them.

UCAS Course Code: D302 H BSc/AABSW1

Entry Requirements

240 UCAS points made up from A levels, preferably one in a Science based subject, or Level 3 vocational qualification.   All applicants should also have a GCSE grade C or above in English, Maths and Science.

Additional Experience
Life experiences are taken into account when considering applications.

Location
Hadlow

Course Duration
Full time: 3 years, 2 days per week. Part time: 4 years, 1 1/2 day per week. Please note, you will be expected to spend 1-2 days per week studying at home in addition to attendance at College.

Course Content

Year 1

• Principles of animal science
• Principles of animal behaviour
• Principles of animal husbandry
• Concepts of in animal welfare
• A choice of either:
  - Concepts in conservartion or Principles of Management (land-based)

Year 2

• Breeding management and genetics
• Problem behaviour management
• Research skills
• Comparative anatomy adaptations and evolution
• Applied animal welfare
• Animal cognition and learning
• Industrial experience
• A choice of either:
  - Exotic collection management or Project management

Year 3

• Advanced animal welfare and organisations
• Current issues for the animal sciences
• Advanced animal cognition and behavioural therapies
• Project
• A choice of:
  - Applied animal nutrition
  - Psychopharmacology and neuroscience
  - Behavioural ecology
  - Anthrozoology and personal psychology

Assessment Method
Coursework (written assignments, projects and presentations) as well as examinations.

Progression Routes
Successful students may progress onto a related MSc or PhD programme, or into a wide range of management and research posts within the industry.

Specialist Equipment Needed
Protective clothing, footwear and wet weather clothing as well as overalls will be required.

• How to apply