Run by School of Natural Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Katherine Jones

The module aims to critically debate and discuss the ethics of the use of animals in science and captive environments, and evaluate methods to assess and improve animal welfare.

This module considers both moral and scientific arguments for how humans treat animals in a range of contexts (e.g. keeping of animals in captivity, use of animals in science).

The module begins by considering the field of welfare science, the problem of defining welfare and different methods for measuring an animals welfare.

Students are then introduced to key questions in ethics, such as whether death is a harm and whether any animals are due moral consideration. Utilitarian, contractarian, rights-based views and environmental and relational arguments are contrasted in a range of scenarios to consider how best to resolve ethical dilemmas such as whether animals are kept in captivity. Since these questions are embedded into societal views on animal ethics, students are asked to identify an ethical dilemma and write an engaging article aimed at a popular audience.

The final part of the module considers ethical review of scientific experiments (facilitated by practical sessions discussing captive animals and experimentation with scientists, zoo researchers or technicians, as appropriate). Using the frame-work of the 3R's and ethical theories presented previously, students will be asked to suggest improvements to experimental design and evaluate the study from several different ethical viewpoints.

threshold

Awareness of the fundamentals underlying welfare science and ethics, based on lecture material and practical sessions, but with limited or absent analytical ability and communication skills.

good

A good grasp of the fundamentals and demonstration of critical thought with evidence of additional reading. An ability to present a coherent argument with clarity and engage a variety of audiences. A good appreciation of the main approaches employed in the study of animal welfare and ethics and the ability to critically assess their suitability in a given situation.

excellent

An excellent grasp of the fundamentals of the science and demonstration of the ability to analyse, critically assess, and present a coherent reasoned argument based on information from a variety of sources, with an excellent ability to engage a variety of audiences. Demonstration of original thinking and advanced problem solving when evaluating and implementing research methods and ethically reviewing studies.

1. Collaborate with others, to develop interpersonal and teamwork skills

2. Debate the key issues in the ethics of use of animals for human benefit

3. Critically review scientific experiments involving the use of animals and apply understanding of the 3R’s (Replace, Reduce, Refine) to suggest improvements

4. Communicate, using a variety of formats to a lay-person audience.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Exam		50
	Article aimed at public audience		50

		Hours
Practical classes and workshops	1 day trip to discuss ethical review and free time to explore zoo, half-day discussing animal care with technicians.	10
Private study		170
Lecture	Lectures in this module are designed to be a distilled “rough guide” to the key concepts in the field, and provide a “theme” for the weeks study.	10
Workshop	Throughout the module workshops will be provided to facilitate assessment and encourage student-led learning. The aim of workshops is to aid independent study (some preparation is normally required in advance) and to build confidence with debating ethics and critically evaluating welfare science. Some workshops will be linked to reflective questions to ensure students consolidate their learning. Typical preparation time for the workshops is 1-3 hours private study.	10

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
• Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

• Develop and identify research question(s) and/or hypotheses as the basis for investigation.
• Conduct fieldwork and/or laboratory work competently with awareness of appropriate risk assessment and ethical considerations
• Recognize and apply appropriate theories and concepts from a range of disciplines.
• Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Apply subject knowledge to the understanding and addressing of problems.
• Collect, analyse and interpret primary and/or secondary data using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques.
• Engagement with current developments in the biosciences and their application.
• Engage in debate and/or discussion with specialists and non-specialists using appropriate language.
• Undertake field and/or laboratory studies of living systems.
• Undertake practical work to ensure competence in basic experimental skills.
• Recognize the moral, ethical and social issues relating to the subject.
• Demonstrate awareness of the importance of risk assessment and relevant legislation

Pre-requisites:

• BSX-2018: Behavioural Ecology

Co-requisites:

• BNS-3004: Advances in Behaviour

Compulsory in courses:

• C305: BSc Zoology with Animal Behaviour (with International Exp) year 3 (BSC/ZABIE)
• C3D3: BSC Zoology with Animal Behaviour year 3 (BSC/ZWAB)
• C302: MZool Zoology with Animal Behaviour year 3 (MZOOL/AB)
• C325: MZool Zoology with Animal Behaviour with International Exp year 3 (MZOOL/ZAIE)