University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2014/15 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Health Sciences > Bristol Veterinary School > Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 8MVSF016U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Suzanne Held
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Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
School/department | Bristol Veterinary School |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups |
Biosciences (2023) (benchmark statement)
Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food and consumer sciences (2019) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
This programme aims to develop the student's interest in and knowledge and understanding of the scientific process and its application to animal behaviour and the assessment of animal welfare.
The history, philosophy and practice of science form the cornerstones of this programme. Methods of accessing, analysing and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data are key features.
Animal behaviour is the integrated output of all internal and external influences acting on an animal. A deep understanding of the factors influencing animal behaviour: evolutionary, functional, developmental and causal is required. The scientific methods and approaches that have been developed to analyse animal behaviour are covered in this programme.
Animal behaviour, as the integrated endpoint of physiological and environmental information, provides a source of important methodology for the assessment of animal welfare. Other methods of assessing animal welfare, e.g. the interpretation of physiological indices, are also included in this programme.
The ways in which animals are treated, used and included in society raise complex ethical issues. Frameworks for considering the place of animals in society are a core theme of the programme. There will be opportunities to observe and work with animals in varied contexts. Graduates from this programme will be able to communicate effectively about issues of animal use, critically evaluate current practices and propose new solutions to ethical and practical problems.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Lectures |
Methods of Assessment | |
Unseen examinations |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Self-directed study and set assignments |
Methods of Assessment | |
Essays, summaries and assignments |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Lectures |
Methods of Assessment | |
Essays, summaries and assignments |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
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Level H/6 - Honours |
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The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
Success at undergraduate levels depends on your being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual clinical or research based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive from staff. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Student workloads in the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Science are calculated on the assumption that you will work at least an average of 40 hours per week over the 29 weeks of the academic year. (In year five of the BVSc programme clinical training commitments raise this to 35 weeks). This workload includes all types of activity related to the delivery and assessment of taught units.
A major component of this workload in the early years of your programme is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes lectures, laboratories, tutorials, practical classes and clinical instruction. Outside classes you will need to undertake two types of academic activity. One type is that directed by your unit (such as practical class reports, project work). The other type requires you to pursue self-motivated independent learning in order to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks and the scientific literature, and revising for examinations. In later years of your programme, timetabled teaching will make up a smaller proportion of your overall workload and you will spend much of your time pursuing independent study. Teaching is normally delivered during weeks 1-24 with weeks 25-29 being for private study and exams, except in the final year of most BSc programmes when teaching finishes in week 20.
Wednesday afternoon is set aside for students to engage in extracurricular activities, such as sporting activities. Students in the final year of the BVSc programme should note that they will not normally be able to continue with such activities due to clinical commitments. Note also that formal teaching is undertaken on Wednesday mornings, which in some programmes may preclude absences for travelling to sporting events.
You will be expected to work during most University vacations. Veterinary students will have commitments to extramural rotations during many vacations. All students are expected to use the Christmas and Easter holidays to revise for the mid-sessional examinations held in January and for the end of year examinations held in May/June. Should you be unsuccessful in the summer examinations, you should expect to set aside sufficient time over the summer vacation firstly to consolidate your understanding and then to revise intensively for the resit examinations held in September (resit examinations are not available in the final year of BSc programmes). Certain components of the teaching and assessment are mandatory - for details see individual programme regulations. On the Veterinary programme this is related to the need to demonstrate certain knowledge, skills and competencies required by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies. These may require students to undertake study and assessments at times outside normal university hours of work, including on days associated with religious observance.
The medical science BSc programmes conform to the University modular framework where10 credits represent about 100 hours of student work. (Please note that the BVSc Programme is not modular and therefore does not award credit points). We recognise that many students have to take paid employment to fund their studies. In order to achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
https://www.bris.ac.uk/fmvs/media/uobonly/ug/assessment_feedback_statement.pdf
The entire programme is distinctive and made possible by the unique combination of research strengths in animal behaviour and animal welfare at the University of Bristol.
Professor Christine Nicol
0117 928 9473
Please note that BIOL11000 and BIOL12000 are must pass units.
For the definition of a must pass unit please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/esu/assessment/annex/glossary.html
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Biology 1A: Diversity of Life | BIOL11000 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Biology 1B: Life Processes | BIOL12000 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Key Concepts for Biologists | BIOL10002 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
20 credit points from the following list: | ||||
Introduction to Developmental Psychology | PSYC10008 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Introduction to Biological Psychology | PSYC10009 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Current Topics in Biology | BIOL10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Animal Behaviour | VETS23000 | 40 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Animal Welfare 1 | VETS23001 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Scientific Method and Ethics 2 | VETS23002 | 20 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Work Placement | VETS23003 | 20 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000