Animal Behaviour and Welfare

The aim of the MSc programmes is to provide a progression route for students, from undergraduate degrees in the biological and psychological sciences to gain knowledge and skills in the area of animal behaviour and welfare. There is an increasing demand within the animal behaviour and welfare industry for people to have both academic and practical skills. Therefore, the programme is designed to build higher academic skills, professional skills and emphasises the vocational and applied nature of the subject area. <br/><br/>**What will I study?**<br/>- Animal Behaviour Theories<br/><br/><br/>- Welfare and Ethics<br/><br/><br/>- Research Methods<br/><br/><br/>- Human and Animal Interactions and Psychology<br/><br/><br/>- Applied Animal Welfare<br/><br/><br/>- Animal Welfare across Contexts<br/><br/><br/>- Independent Research Project<br/><br/><br/>**Learning and Teaching Approach**<br/>This programme is delivered with a variety of learning and teaching approaches to include all students’ learning styles and preferences.<br/><br/>For all modules, theory lectures are delivered that aim to deliver the core content and provide the underpinning knowledge. Using the webinar software, staff are able to monitor engagement to ensure participations.<br/><br/>To complement all theory lectures, students have asynchronous seminars that are used to reinforce concepts delivered theoretically. Online webinars focus on facilitating a student centred approach to enhance the independent learning that takes place outside of the webinar lecture sessions.<br/><br/>**What is the contact time?**<br/>Part Time:<br/>Two modules studied per semester except for the final semester when the focus in on the completion of the independent research project.<br/><br/>Approximately six hours class time per week to include online webinars, directed study, extended reading, directed tasks and tutorials. Webinars run one night per week. <br/><br/>Full Time:<br/>Four modules studied in the first semester; two in the second semester alongside completion of the independent research project. <br/><br/>Approximately 12 hours class time per week to include online webinars, directed study, extended reading, directed tasks and tutorials. Webinars run two nights per week.<br/><br/>**What else can I expect?**<br/>- Animal Management Unit housing a wide range of species including meerkats, racoon dogs, primates, alpacas, marsupials, invertebrates, tropical and marine fish, reptiles, rodents and a nocturnal house.<br/><br/><br/>- Dedicated dog training area, commercial dog kennels and grooming facilities, commercial sheep and beef enterprises, equine yard and schools.<br/><br/><br/>- Additional facilities include Science Centre, IT suites, dedicated University Centre, study spaces and social areas, and modern Learning Resources Centre.<br/><br/><br/>- Online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) used to enhance and facilitate teaching and independent learning on all programmes.<br/><br/><br/>- Experienced, supportive and motivated staff with both academic and industrial experience.<br/><br/><br/>- Our experienced Life Coaches are on hand to help you through your University journey from mentoring and coaching to health, wellbeing and resilience. Learn more about how our Life Coaches can support you: https://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/university-centre/life-skills-team-at-ucbb<br/><br/><br/>- Talks from a range of visiting speakers.<br/><br/><br/>- Opportunities to attend trips to enhance learning.<br/><br/><br/>- Students have access to a range of support through our study skills, and health and wellbeing teams. Further information can be found on our website: https://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/student-life/student-support<br/><br/><br/>- Relevant extra-curricular activity and/or work experience is encouraged of all students in order to enhance learning.<br/><br/><br/>**What kind of job could I get when I graduate?**<br/>Graduates can go into management positions in: zoo keeping and education, welfare science, welfare assessment and consultation, environmental enrichment co-ordinator, education and lecturing, animal rescue and rehabilitation.