Full Time Animal Management BTEC National Diploma Level 3

Course Code:
N5002

Study Type:
Full Time

Academic Level:
Level 3

Awarded by:
EDEXCEL

Course Length:
2 Years Full Time, 20 hrs/week.

Course Summary:
The National Diploma in Animal Management is a full-time, two-year course which combines practical and theory sessions. This course will enable you to progress to a degree or to get a job working with animals, potentially at a supervisory level, in a variety of places, such as Veterinary Surgeries, Animal Rescue Centres, Animal Feed companies, Pet Stores, Zoos and other collections of animals.

Course Details:
The course is made up of eighteen modules. You will study these modules over the two years and will do some work experience.

Modules/units:
Animal Biology - Develops your understanding of the relationship between structure and function in the animal body, and looks in detail at cell biology, the body tissues, the evolution and functioning of the skeletal system, and the biology of animal sensory systems.

Animal Welfare and Breed Development - Develops your understanding of animal evolution and the development of various animal breeds. This unit also investigates current welfare issues, the legislation that protects animals and animal-related organisations.

Animal Health - Develops your knowledge of the agents of disease, the causes, signs and symptoms of common illnesses and investigates how disease can be prevented and treated. This unit also introduces first aid treatment for animals.

Wildlife Rehabilitation - Focuses on the natural history, wildlife biology and care of British wildlife with a view to enabling students to help in the eventual rehabilitation of sick, orphaned, or injured animals in the British Isles.

Land based Estate Construction, Repair and Maintenance Skills - Develops the knowledge and skills required to maintain the countryside and associated footpaths, bridleways, gates, fences, styles and waymarkers. Students will also carry out habitat management work for the benefit of British wildlife.

Investigative Project in the Animal Management Sector - In this unit students will develop project management skills by carrying out an investigative project in an area of interest, developing the skills needed to project manage from start through to completion.

Scientific Investigation in Animal Management - This unit looks at the scientific method and its application to working with animals. Students will develop analytical, deductive and reasoning skills and carry out a range of investigations culminating in an independent scientific project.

Principles of Ecology - This unit develops students' knowledge and skills in ecology, covering the evolution, taxonomy and population dynamics of wild species of animal, and also the flow of materials through ecosystems. Students will also carry out a detailed habitat survey.

Animal Behaviour - This unit develops understanding of such areas as behaviour patterns, learning, communication, hierarchies, territorial behaviour, stereotypical behaviour and the effect of environment on behaviour.

Work related experience in the Animal Management sector - This unit is assessed through ten weeks of work experience, where learners will develop knowledge, skills and understanding working in the careers of interest to them.

Practical and Animal Handling and Husbandry - This unit develops the theoretical and practical skills necessary to competently look after a range of animals, including small, large, companion, and exotic species. Students will carry out feeding, handling, health checking, grooming, claw clipping and other activities associated with the care of captive animals.

The National Diploma also includes:
Biochemistry and Microbiology in Animal Management
Exotic Animal Management
Animal Nutrition
Animal Breeding and Genetics
Environmental Interpretation in the Landbased Industries
Animal Collection Management

Assessment

• Units will be assessed through individual and group assignments, posters and sometimes class based and practical tests.
• Your work will be graded 'Pass', 'Merit', 'Distinction' or 'Refer'. Each module normally has about 4 pieces of work and these help to make up your overall grade for the module. You have to pass each piece of work to pass the module.
• You will need to pass each module to get a National Diploma in Animal Management.

Career Progression:
The National Diploma provides a suitable level of knowledge to allow you to progress to a degree course. This might be at Nescot or at a university. Popular routes of higher education are zoology, animal behaviour and animal health.

Some students choose to go into full time work in a variety of places such as Animal Welfare Charities, Zoos and Veterinary Surgeries.

Other Information:

• The National Diploma is a full time course with a timetable covering Monday to Friday from 9.00am until 5.00pm.
• Not all of this time will be taken up with taught sessions, as one day a week will be allocated as Private Study time. This day will be a time for you to work on assignments and revise for phase tests.
• Each term has a half term holiday.
• You are required to provide steel toe capped boots, overalls and waterproof clothing for practical work.

Requirement
Five GCSEs at grades A to C, including Science and English,and preferably Maths. Completion of First Diploma in one year;satisfactory reference from First Diploma course team; level 2 in Key Skills Communication (or equivalent). Must have achieved at least a Merit overall for First Diploma. You will also need to have demonstrated an interest in working with animals. This might have been through a part-time job, voluntary work or work experience at school Appropriate knowledge and/or experience gained in employment.