Dealing with animals, partim: initiation and excursions; partim: ethology, ethics and animal welfare

Academic year: 2010-2011 Course code module 3BDIE-010 Semester: 1st and 2nd semester Credits: 8 Study load (hours) 224 Theory (hours): 60,00 Practice/Exercises(hours): 25,00 Other (hours): 120,00 Part-time program: 1 Instructor(s) Peter Bols Ester Struelens Christa Van Ginneken Jo Leroy Language of instruction: Dutch Semester exam information: exam in the 2nd semester Contract restriction information: exam contract not possible 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties Students have a vivid interest in the working field (as a veterinarian) and is prepared to practice handling of various animal species. *Sequentiality Veterinary Physiology A (1BDIE-102) AND General and Clinical Anatomy of Domestic Animals I (1BDIE-062) AND Ethnography and Appraisal of Domestic Animals (1BDIE-051) 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) Students can recognize normal and abnormal behaviour of carnivores, cattle, horses, pigs and poultry. He/she is able to handle these animals in a safe manner, taking animal welfare into account . Students experience the habitat in which these species are housed. In the theoretical division of the course, student attains knowlegde about the neurobiological base of behaviour, the functioning of external stimuli and communicative signals. Students are able to explain how hormones and behaviour influence one another, as well as the biological clock. Students can comment on the structure of behaviour using the temporal and hierarchical organisation of behaviour, and on behaviour development on an ontogenetic and a fylogenetic base. They understand the pro's and con's of group living in animals. Students can describe what impact domestication has on behaviour. They can discuss elements that have implications on animal welfare. Finally students should be able to use this knowlegde of the various aspects of behaviour when handling animals. 3. Course content In a short introduction, information about the course contect, the planning, the placement, excursions, ... is given. During this introduction phase, excursions are planned to various 'farms'. In the division dealing with ethology and animal welfare, knowlegde about the neurobiological base of behaviour and the classic and modern ways of studying behavioural biology will be explained. Organization and physiology of behaviour is described as well as its ontogenetic and fylogenetic development. The origin and function of group living is analysed. After an introduction to domestication and a description of animal welfare, ethograms of several animal species will be described. Finally abnormal behaviour of relevant animal species are described and explained based on the previous knowlegde about behaviour. Meanwhile students have a 2 week placement extra muros and a 1 week placement intra muros in which they have to practica animal handling. Various skills trainings are organized to optimize the animal handling skills of the students. 4. Teaching method Direct contact: Lectures Practical sessions Skills training Personal work: Excursion(s) Practical training Portfolio 5. Assessment method Exam: Written, without oral presentation Closed book Open questions Written assignment: Without oral presentation Practical training evaluation 6. Compulsory reading – study material - syllabus, placement information 7. Recommended reading - study material - Alcock, J, 2005. Animal Behaviour. 8th Ed, Sinauer Associates. 8. Tutoring - projectcoordinator: veterinarian Lies Jordaens: lies.jordaens@ua.ac.be - partim ethology and animal welfare: mark.nelissen@ua.ac.be - partim handling: peter.bols@ua.ac.be or chris.vanginneken@ua.ac.be laatste aanpassing: last update: 17/02/2011 15:19 chris.vanginneken