Animal Welfare and Behaviour (MSc)

Master

In Glasgow

£ 1001-2000

Description

  • Type

    Master

  • Location

    Glasgow (Scotland)

  • Duration

    1 Year

  • Start date

    Different dates available

This course aims to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the scientific study of animal behaviour and animal welfare that can be applied effectively in science and practice. We run this course in conjunction with the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (also known as Dick Vet), which has an impressive international reputation in Animal Welfare. This creates a solid platform for education and will give you a variety of research opportunities. At the end of the course, you'll be able to understand the application of scientific principles to the study of animal behaviour and welfare and utilise effective, modern methods for describing and analysing scientific data. You'll know how to assess the welfare of animals in captivity and in the natural environment, offer advice on applied animal behaviour and animal welfare issues and understand philosophical debate relating to the use of animals by humans. You'll also have a solid grounding in the global issues that have an impact on animal welfare. The MSc is awarded by the University of Edinburgh.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Glasgow (Glasgow City)
See map

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

Questions & Answers

Add your question

Our advisors and other users will be able to reply to you

Who would you like to address this question to?

Fill in your details to get a reply

We will only publish your name and question

Reviews

Subjects

  • IT
  • Animal Behaviour
  • Veterinary
  • Biology
  • Economics
  • Global
  • Conservation
  • Demonstrate
  • Practical
  • Problems

Course programme

Introduction

This module will introduce the concept of Tinbergen's "4 Whys" and will then demonstrate how the study of behaviour can be applied to animal welfare. It will also provide an understanding of the application of behaviour to common practical problems.

The second part of this module will give the basis of current issues relating to animal welfare. The development of UK/EU animal welfare legislation will be put in a global context. Animal welfare will be discussed from an economics perspective and in the context of global trade issues. Emerging issues will also be tackled.

Biology of Suffering

The importance of an understanding of the principles of endocrinology and neuroscience will be highlighted in relation to behaviour.

Students will be made aware of the impact of genes, genetics and breeding on behaviour expression. In addition an understanding of how the environment, as well as experience may affect behavioural biology will be discussed, so that an understanding of how different biological factors integrate to produce behaviour is formed.

Students will learn what is meant by stress and the relationship between stress and animal welfare. Attention will be given to physiological and behavioural responses to a range of stressors, pain in particular. The module will discuss the scientific measurement of these responses and how they can be used in animal welfare assessment.

Animal Cognition and Consciousness

Motivation, learning and cognition are all fields that provide an underpinning to the study of animal behaviour and animal welfare. Students will be presented with the scientific basis of these areas, with particular reference to animal welfare.

This module will also focus on historical and current interpretations of the concept of animal consciousness as well as on experimental approaches to the study of animal consciousness. Implications of the study of animal consciousness for models of animal welfare will be studied as well as basic principles of the moral evaluation of animal use.

Scientific Methodology

Topics include: scientific methodology, experimentation, use of Minitab, data summary and distribution and both parametric and non-parametric statistical methods.

At the end of this module, students will be able to apply scientific and statistical methods to actual research projects. Students will also be able to discuss reasonably complex statistical issues with a statistician. Attention will also be given to communication skills (oral and written).

Farm and Laboratory Animal Welfare

Topics covered in relation to farm animal welfare are: animal production and economics; legislation; welfare issues; welfare assessment and quality assurance schemes; environment and housing; health; management; breeding; genetics; behaviour; transport; handling; markets; slaughter; cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry.

This module will also discuss the uses of animals in the laboratory and the associated benefits, animal welfare costs and ethical dilemmas. Students will learn how to use reference materials critically and construct a concise, logical and balanced argument.

Students will be given the opportunity to practice debating controversial issues in laboratory animal science and in expressing coherent opinions and appreciating diverse points of view. An overview of laboratory animal welfare related organisations, publications, qualifications and careers will be given.

Companion, Zoo and Wild Animal Welfare

The following topics will be covered in this module: Effects of environmental experience and the human-animal bond on behaviour and welfare, effects of selective breeding on physiology and behaviour, clinical causes of behaviour problems, methods involved in behaviour therapy, training and welfare of human assistance animals, national and global welfare issues.

Companion animals include dogs, cats, horses, small mammals and exotic species commonly kept as pets.

This module also provides an overview of the interacting ethical, welfare and conservation issues of topical interest in the management of wildlife.

A key theme relates to the dilemmas that can arise from conflicting concerns for individual animal welfare and the conservation of species, populations or communities.

The lecture material addresses topics from a wide range of disciplines (e.g. conservation biology, population biology, veterinary medicine, economics) which aims to provide the student with a context for evaluating welfare and conservation priorities.

Additional information

Duration - Full-Time (1 Year), Part-Time (2-3 Years)

Animal Welfare and Behaviour (MSc)

£ 1001-2000