AP3A67-Animal Welfare

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Students must normally have successfully completed modules in animal biology and/or A-level in Biology. If you have not done so or have queries regarding the suitability, please contact the module convenor prior to selecting the module.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Ms Holly Vickery

Email: h.m.vickery@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module comprises a series of lectures and classroom exercises and a student project. During this time, students will learn about the ethical frameworks that inform evaluations about animal welfare, the scientific assessment of an animal’s welfare status and approaches that might be taken to improve welfare. In the student project, students research a particular welfare issue and devise a plan for implementing a solution to this issue. Their findings are presented in class and as a submitted portfolio. There is also an examination in the Summer Term.

Suggested background reading if not comfortable with basic physiology:

Sjaastad, O.V., Hove, K. and Sand, O. (2010). Physiology of Domestic Animals. Ch. 4, 5 (pp. 178-190), 6.  - focusing on the nervous system, endocrine and immune systems

Aims:
This module aims to provide a reasoned, objective understanding of the issues raised by a number of human activities which intimately involve animals and where the welfare of the animal is commonly perceived to be compromised by the actions of humans.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to: • Discuss the ethical issues related to animal welfare and evaluate the legal protection afforded to animals • Evaluate scientific methods by which animal welfare may be assessed • Analyse the extent of animal suffering resulting from human activities • Design and evaluate a plan to implement solutions to particular animal welfare issues.

Additional outcomes:

Develop transferrable skills including team work, enquiry and critical analysis, written and verbal communication, time management, and creativity.

Outline content:

The module provides a wide-ranging review of issues related to animal welfare. Lectures consider the ethics of animal suffering, legal protection provided to animals, and the means by which animal welfare may be assessed. Consideration is then given to the effects of experimentation, farming and captivity of non-domesticated species. Much of the course will be of interest to animal scientists, zoologists and biologists.



The Lecture Contents cover:

• Animal welfare and ethics

• Physiological and behavioural measures of welfare

• Problems, solutions and implementation of improved animal welfare

• The welfare of animals in research

• The welfare of farm animals

• The welfare of companion animals

• The welfare of zoo animals



The Practical Contents cover:

Project work in student teams involves researching a specified issue of animal welfare. The scale and severity of the issue should be considered, and possible solutions formulated including an educational or legislative tool to be used in the development of the solution. Students will present the welfare issue to the class. A plan for implementing these solutions is to be developed, and presented in a mini-conference at the end of term.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be two-hour lectures (with a short break in the middle). Student participation will be encouraged. Supporting video material may be shown. There will be the opportunity for staff and peer feedback on the plans for implementing a solution to the welfare issue identified in the student project in a class session before the mini-conference.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Guided independent study:	80
Total hours by term	20
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	35
Oral assessment and presentation	15

Summative assessment- Examinations:

A one and a half hour exam requiring one answer from two questions in Section A and one answer from two questions in Section B.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A short team presentation (with supporting material uploaded on Blackboard) is to be given, which presents the scale and severity of the particular welfare issue researched. A potential solution is to be evaluated, and a means of implementing this solution planned and critically analysed in a report that is to be submitted at the end of term. A legislative or educational ‘tool’ that would form part of the proposed implementation pathway is to be created and presented in class at the end of term.

Formative assessment methods:

Feedback from the presentation will be given orally and in writing. Formative feedback from peers will be given after the presentation. There will be the opportunity for discussion with peers and staff on the proposed solution to the welfare issues during the session between the presentation and the final ‘mini-conference’.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
By re-examination in August/September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 2) Specialist equipment or materials: 3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 4) Printing and binding: approximately £5 for posters or similar, depending on students’ choice 5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 27 September 2019