Animal Husbandry & Welfare FdSc
This superb course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of animal management and will equip you with the necessary knowledge to assess the welfare needs of animals, enable you to acquire practical animal management skills and devise welfare management strategies pertinent to the animal sector.
The College’s state of the art Animal Management Centre enhances the experience for Animal Management students, providing bespoke facilities for a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate species, including mammals, fish, reptiles and birds, enabling you to gain hands-on experience and management skills in preparation for industry. A graduate in Animal Husbandry & Welfare will be able to demonstrate academic research, management and industry-relevant skills along with the ability to apply research and theory to practical situations. The College is also a member of Landex which allows a more practical experience than courses at traditional Universities.
A Foundation Degree is a nationally recognised qualification in its own right and is equal to the first two years of the full BSc (Hons) course. Once you have completed your Animal Husbandry & Welfare FdSc you may progress onto a third and final year to complete the Animal Husbandry & Welfare BSc (Hons).
Entry Requirements
- 64 UCAS tariff points (48 UCAS tariff points for 2022 entry, formerly 120 UCAS points)
- English & Maths GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C) or equivalent
- Students without necessary qualifications but with relevant work experience are encouraged to apply for an interview
- If you have a relevant Level 4/5 qualification you may be able to transfer to the next level
What you will study
- Personal & Professional Development focuses on your personal development, including study skills, team-working, presentation skills, self-reflection, analysis of information and development of IT skills. Assessed by a presentation and research inquiry (20 credits)
- Ecology explores the theory underpinning the distribution, abundance and biodiversity of plants and animals and is assessed by a report and short answer data questions (20 credits)
- Animal Husbandry and Welfare provides you with a broad overview of animal management, including the theoretical knowledge that underpins care and husbandry. Assessed by a health & safety induction pack and practical demonstrations (20 credits)
- Animal Behaviour provides a broad overview of Animal behaviour and will enable you to gain an appreciation of the natural behavioural patterns of animals, allowing a deeper understanding of animal welfare requirements. Assessed by a research project (20 credits)
- Applied Animal Anatomy & Physiology introduces the basic science underpinning of biological principles, anatomy and physiology in a range of vertebrate animals and is assessed by a written report and a lab report / oral questioning based on a dissection (20 credits)
- Principles of Animal Health allows you to make connections between health and welfare and will introduce you to a variety of pathogens and how they can affect the body. Assessed by a report and presentation (20 credits)
- Managing Projects teaches you the skills, tools and techniques needed to manage a small project. The tools will then be applied to an employer-related feasibility/project plan. Assessed by a presentation and report (20 credits)
- Environmental Interpretation gives you the opportunity to evaluate existing interpretations at a site and develops your knowledge and skills required to produce successful interpretations, such as information boards, podcasts or leaflets. Assessed by a survey report and portfolio (20 credits)
- Advanced Animal Husbandry provides you with the theoretical knowledge that underpins the principles of animal management systems. Building on Level 4 study, this allows you to apply theory to practice, in particular animal health monitoring including health checks, preventative treatments, methods of handling and restraint and hygiene measures in animal housing. Assessed by an open book exam and a reflection (20 credits)
- Welfare & Ethics allows you to analyse current ethical issues in animal welfare, considering changes in welfare status and is assessed by an animal welfare proposal and audit (20 credits)
- Animal Biology allows you to study the scientific underpinning of cells, tissues and organs in a range of vertebrate groups and is assessed by a scientific report and a laboratory practical and report (20 credits)
- Applied Animal Nutrition encourages you to discuss key nutrients and their roles, metabolism, digestion, absorption and synthesis of key nutrients, and key differences between herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. Assessed by an open book exam and written report (20 credits)
You will receive feedback on your formal assessments within four working weeks of the submission date. Your overall grade for the course and your Foundation Degree classification is based on the marks obtained for all the modules studied in year 2 of the course. More information can be found here: Student Information > Regulations
How you will study...
The teaching blends the conceptual and the vocational and includes face-to-face lectures, tutorials, practical workshops, visits, guest speakers, peer teaching and peer review. An active approach to learning is encouraged and students will undertake research, discussion and activities within sessions.
You will have the opportunity to take part in external visits to businesses involved in animal husbandry & welfare, these visits may involve extra costs. You will also be encouraged to shadow industry professionals to gain experience of work opportunities in the sector. Alongside time in College, you will be expected to undertake 10-12 hours of independent study each week, such as reading journal articles and books, undertaking research from academic and technical texts and preparing for assessments, presentations or examinations. Your independent study is supported by Microsoft Teams, our online electronic resource platform.
All lesson resources are available online and we have a fantastic Learning Hub with Specialist Study Support. Average class sizes for HE courses are usually between 6 and 15 students.
What's Next?
Further Study
Following completion of your FdSc, your academic choices may include Animal Husbandry & Welfare Top-up Year (Level 6) at Craven College or at another institution in an animal-related subject, such as:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Behaviour
- Animal Welfare
- Animal Science
- Zoology
Careers
- Animal Keeper
- Animal Controls Officer
- Animal Health Officer
- Animal Trainer
- Wildlife Technician
- Retail Supervisor
- Animal Instructor
- Animal Behaviour Consultant
- Pet Store Manager
- Animal Rescue Centre Manager
- Animal Lecturer
