Run by School of Natural Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Mrs Rhea Burton-Roberts

This module aims to present a scientific approach to animal management, providing an applied platform for students wishing to pursue a career within the animal industry.

Topics may include; animal husbandry, applied animal health, nutrition, behaviour, enrichment, training, euthanasia, breeding and record keeping. Many sessions will be applied, looking at a range of examples from animal collections, aquaria and the farming industry. There will be a laboratory practical focusing on the analysis of faecal samples, collected from our University farm, Henfaes Research Centre. Seminar sessions will provide an insight from professionals working in the animal industry from a range of backgrounds. In the final part of the module, students will be required to develop a project based around the management of zoo animals. This will be incorporated into a visit to a popular animal collection. There will also be the opportunity for students to further develop their industry skills through participating in an animal care rota for the alpacas at our University farm.

good

A good grasp of the fundamentals and demonstration of critical thought with evidence of additional reading and/or practice. An ability to present a coherent argument with clarity. A good appreciation of the main approaches employed in the management of animals within zoos, aquaria and the farming industry, with the ability to critically assess their suitability in a given situation. Good evidence of lifelong learning skills, demonstrating ability to work effectively with others. (Grade B; mark range 60-69%)

threshold

Awareness of the fundamentals underlying animal management, based on lecture material and practical sessions, but with limited or absent analytical ability. Some evidence of transferable skills and the ability to apply knowledge within the industry, but with limited or absent organisational and communication skills (Grade D or C; mark range 40-59%)

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 in relation to best practices in animal management. Demonstration of original thinking and advanced problem solving when evaluating and implementing research methods and husbandry practices. Additional evidence of lifelong learning skills such as ability to adapt to change and motivate others. (Grade A; mark range 70-100%)

1. Undertake practical work focusing on animal health, including the critical evaluation and application of results.

2. Identify transferable management and husbandry practices across species.

3. Demonstrate a comprehensive, scientific approach to the key concepts of animal management, through the synthesis and development of established and multidisciplinary knowledge.

4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the management of animal collections, particularly the purpose of species and their role in conserving biodiversity.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION	Zoo Project and Presentation	Originally based on BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) taxa working group meetings but adjusted to account for blended learning. Following the trip to Welsh Mountain Zoo, students will re-design an existing zoo enclosure for a current species or re-develop an area to accommodate a new multi-species exhibit. Students will be provided with pro-forma, which will include elements such as; budget, training facilities, enrichment, enclosure design, visitor interaction and viewing points, health and safety. Existing enclosure sizes can be extracted from Google Earth. Ideas must be justified using academic literature. Students will pre-record their presentations and upload them via Panopto for an online conference day. A percentage of marks will be awarded for engagement (interacting with a benchmark number of student presentations and responding to comments on their own).	60.00
REPORT	Applied Animal Health Practical	Sheep and alpaca faecal samples will be collected from Henfaes. These will be analysed back in the Brambell lab using the Modified McMaster Faecal Egg Count (FEC) procedure. Students will identify gastrointestinal nematodes, whilst calculating eggs per gram of faecal matter to determine burden severity. Comparisons will be made between both alpacas and sheep – the sheep are heavily burdened whilst the alpacas are relatively clean. Practical write-up will focus on identifying the clinical signs of parasitism and costs to industry, with discussions of parasite control, resistance management and enhancing immunity through husbandry practices. This method of FEC and associated management implications are applicable across a range of taxa.	40.00

		Hours
	Conference session	8
External visit	1 x full day trip to zoo 1 x half-day trip to aquarium 1 x half-day trips to University farm External visits will be timetabled in separate weeks.	16
Lecture	Weekly lectures are designed to be a “rough guide” to the key animal management topics, providing a “theme” for workshops, guest lectures, practicals and excursions. One to two one-hour lectures per week.	10
Laboratory	Faecal analysis practical	4
Private study		150
Seminar	Seminar sessions will be provided to encourage student-led learning and to facilitate discussions with industry professionals. One two-hour seminar session per week.	12

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• 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.
• Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
• 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
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

• Recognize the moral, ethical and social issues relating to the subject.
• 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
• Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Collect, analyse and interpret primary and/or secondary data using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques.
• Undertake field and/or laboratory studies to ensure competence in basic experimental and/or fieldwork skills.
• Demonstrate awareness of the importance of risk assessment and relevant legislation
• Engagement with current subject developments and their application.
• Engage in debate and/or discussion with specialists and non-specialists using appropriate language.

Resource implications for students

Wellington boots and waterproof clothing will be needed for trips to the University farm.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/bsx-2043.html

Compulsory in courses:

• C335: BSc Zoology with Animal Management year 2 (BSC/ZAM)
• C38P: BSc Zoology with Animal Management with Placement Year year 2 (BSC/ZAMP)
• C336: MZool Zoology with Animal Management year 2 (MZOOL/ZAM)
• C39P: MZool Zoology with Animal Management with Placement Year year 2 (MZOOL/ZAMP)