Unit information: Animal Welfare 1 in 2016/17

Unit name	Animal Welfare 1
Unit code	VETS23001
Credit points	40
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Becky Whay
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	BIOL11000, BIOL12000
Co-requisites	VETS23000, VETS23002, VETS23003
School/department	Bristol Veterinary School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This Unit examines the biology and management of the major species that have been domesticated by, or co-evolved with, human beings. It builds on the sound principles of biology introduced in Level C units and begins to show how these can be used for the scientific assessment of animal requirements. This provides a full and integrated understanding of the welfare issues faced by animals in specific systems of management and at critical times such as the slaughter of animals for meat. In seminars and tutorials students will analyse and attempt to resolve some of the complex animal welfare issues in the light of their understanding of the scientific, moral and legal forces that determine them. Practical classes are designed in accordance with QAA descriptors for qualification at Intermediate (I) Level. Students will develop the ability to apply underlying concepts and principles outside the context first studied, and thus relate these theoretical concepts to the practical recognition and control of welfare problems in live animals. Seminars, visits and DSE will permit the students to understand the limits of their knowledge and to begin to develop original scientific approaches to investigating and resolving welfare problems.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Intended Learning Outcomes are to:

• Know and understand how humans use animals and to be able to use ethical constructs to consider the implications of such use.
• Have technical knowledge of how to source and refer to animal welfare legislation.
• Use an understanding of welfare science to be able to consider how animal welfare might be measured and evaluated.
• Develop skills in critical assessment of literature relating to animal welfare.
• Write reports describing and critically evaluating animal management and husbandry systems.
• Develop transferable skills in literature searching, critical evaluation and report writing and oral presentation.

Teaching Information

Lectures, Seminars, DSE, Field Visits

Assessment Information

Coursework Written Examination Practical examination Self and Peer assessment

Reading and References

• Animal Welfare (1997)

Ed. M.C.Appleby & B.O.Hughes. Published by CAB International. ISBN:0 85199 180 7

• The Ethology of Domestic Animals: An Introductory Text (2002 1st edition or 2009 2nd edition)

Ed. P Jensen Published by CAB International ISBN:0 85199 602 7

• Farm Animal Welfare Council Reports (see attached list of recommended reports)

FAWC Downloadable reports available from http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121007104210/http://www.fawc.org.uk/reports.htm - Hardcopies available from FAWC Secretariat, 5th Floor, 1A Page Street, London SW1P 4PQ

• Meat Science: An Introductory Text (2000)

P.D.Warriss Published by CAB International ISBN:0 85199 424 5

• Animal Welfare and Meat Science (1998)

N.G.Gregory (& T.Grandin) Published by CAB International ISBN:0 85199 296 X