Welcome to the Newquay University Centre! My name is Arlin Slater, and I am the programme manager for the FdSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare course. I am incredibly passionate about wildlife, ecology, and animal welfare, with a particular focus on birds.

Teaching here in Cornwall is a dream come true, as we are surrounded by a stunning variety of wildlife and breathtaking natural landscapes. I feel privileged to be involved in courses that truly captivate my interest. Currently, I am actively engaged in research that explores the impact of husbandry practices on saddlebilled storks in AZA and EAZA-accredited zoos.

At our centre, I have the pleasure of lecturing about a diverse range of subjects. These include animal welfare, ecology, wildlife conservation, and various zoology-related topics.

As you embark on your academic journey with us, I encourage you to make the most of your time here at the university. Take full advantage of the unique resources available to you, such as Newquay Zoo and the Blue Reef Aquarium. These institutions provide incredible opportunities for hands-on learning and observation of various animal species.

Additionally, I encourage you to engage in volunteering activities, as they offer valuable practical experience and a chance to contribute to wildlife conservation efforts. There are also local groups and organisations dedicated to preserving Cornwall's natural heritage. Getting involved with these initiatives can enhance your understanding of the field and connect you with like-minded individuals.

Of course, it's essential to strike a balance between academic life and social activities. Cornwall offers a vibrant community with plenty of social events and recreational opportunities. Take the time to explore and enjoy the local attractions, cultural events, and outdoor adventures that Cornwall has to offer.

Once again, welcome to Newquay University Centre.

Arlin Slater | Programme Manager Certificate in Higher Education and FdSc Animal Behaviour and Welfare 

UCAS Institution Code: C78

Course Code: ANBW

The programme is for students interested in working with animals, for example in a zoo, on a farm or with companion animals. Applicants wishing to increase their knowledge in areas such as animal behaviour, training, nutrition, welfare and biology and those interested in improving their practical skills and experience with a range of animals, will benefit from this programme. This course provides the opportunity for students to develop a range of skills that would allow them to move into the animal care or training sector working with animals throughout our society. 

Year 1 (Level 4) | Modules

Year 1 will usually consist of the following 20 credit HE level 4 modules:

Animal Behaviour and Psychology (20 Credits)

Students will be introduced to and develop knowledge and understanding of theories of animal behaviour and basic principles of psychology.  Students will develop the knowledge, understanding and practical experience of behavioural research.

Students are expected to undertake a behavioural study including basic data analysis as part of the module assessment along with a theory test.

Applied Animal and Behaviour Training (20 Credits)

The fundamental principles of training are addressed and evaluated in relation to their effectiveness whilst considering whilst considering animal welfare and ethical issues. 

This module provides the students with the opportunity to review and apply appropriate training techniques. Students will observe a range of training techniques in practice.

Animal Evolution and Physiology (20 credits)

Consider the evolution and specific adaptations of animals with reference to genetic inheritance, natural selection and comparative physiology.

Animal Husbandry and Welfare Science (20 Credits)

This module gives students an understanding of the conditions needed to maintain health in animals and how to detect ill health.   Students will review current welfare literature, standards and relevant legislation and explore methods used to assess health and welfare.

Animal Nutrition (20 Credits)

This module introduces the student to comparative anatomy and physiology of digestive systems of omnivores, herbivores and carnivores.  Nutritional requirements and feeding methods are investigated in relation to animal health and welfare.   Students will formulate suitable diet plans for a named captive species.

Skills for Scientific Success (20 Credits)

Year 2 (Level 5) | Modules

Year 2 will usually consist of the following 20 credit HE level 5 modules:

Core Modules

Individual Research Project (20 Credits)

This module gives students the opportunity to conduct their own research project. Student involvement and responsibility stretches from project conception and planning, literature research, analysis and interpretation of data to report writing and presentation 

Animal Disease (20 Credits)

This module will introduce the student to the epidemiology, aetiology, pathogenesis, pathology of disease, diagnostic aids and suggested treatments and management of disease for animals. 

Animals in Society (20 credits)

This module explores the relationships between humans, and animals as food; companions; workers; religious entities, scapegoats in society and experimental subjects. Domestication is compared and contrasted with non-domestication; and beliefs and cultural differences in the treatment of animals are considered in the impact on animal welfare around the world.

Animal Rehabilitation in Practice (20 Credits)

Enables students to develop an understanding of the rehabilitation needs of wild, domestic and exotic animals to enable them to write effective rehabilitation plans.  This module also helps students to reflect on their own personal development within the sector and prepare them for future employment.  

Optional Modules

Companion Animal Behaviour and Training(20 Credits)

To apply animal training techniques to companion animals acting as a consulting expert. To evaluate the current approaches for training animals for human therapy in respect to animal welfare and ethics.  

Animal Collections Management (20 Credits)

Considers the management of animal collections with reference to housing, breeding programs, genetics management and conservation. 

Exotic and Aquatic Animal Husbandry (20 Credits)

To consider the husbandry and housing requirements of exotic vertebrates and aquatic organisms with reference to captive breeding, conservation and sustainable sourcing.

Essential Items:

• Laptop – having access to your own computer and internet has always been highly essential for your studies, so we are suggesting all students have access to their own laptop/PC and internet.  Please be aware that Chromebooks and tablets, whilst useful for some elements of your work, are not suitable for installing and running some software; therefore, a Windows or macOS laptop is recommended.

• Software - as soon as you enrol, you will have an account with Office 365 and you will be able to use online versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint and also download these apps to your device for free, as well as having online storage space on OneDrive. We ask that you install QGIS (free software for spatial data), which is available for PCS and Macs and can be downloaded using the link below. (We can go through this during induction week if you have any problems)

• USB Pen Drive (at least 16GB) – although you will have cloud storage with OneDrive, you will need this to transport files and keep backup copies of important files.

• Waterproofs - coat and trousers for fieldwork.

• Good Walking Boots - you will be very grateful to yourself if you invest in a good quality, waterproof pair.

• Wellies – some field sites we visit get very wet, and you will be advised to wear wellies. No need for your walking boots to be completely waterproof if you have a good pair of wellies to wear for wet-weather work. 

Desirable:

• Old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty for zoo/field-based work.

• Headset – a suitable headset to enable engagement in online delivery (if applicable). 

Extra Expenses:

You will be involved in a variety of fieldtrips throughout the year, most of which will be free, but occasionally we may ask for a contribution for travel costs or entrance fees.  You should budget for approximately £50 throughout the year for these purposes. 

There may be residential field courses that you may wish to join, which are not compulsory (subject to availability), for example, to Borneo, Honduras or South Africa. The prices of these trips will vary, but recent trips have been in the region of £3,000 for approximately 2 weeks (inclusive of flights). These trips are purely optional, and there is no expectation or requirement to join them. More information on the international trips will be made available during induction week and group tutorials. There are also local trips offered to students that may require a small deposit.

• Appleby, M.C., Olsson, A. and Galindo, F. (eds.) (2018) Animal Welfare. 3^rd edn. Wallingford: CABI.
• Campbell, N.A. et al. (2017) Biology: A Global Approach. 11^th edn. New York: Pearson.
• Hosey, G.R., Melfi, V. and Pankhurst, S. (2013) Zoo Animals: Behaviour, Management and Welfare. 2^nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Kaufman, A., Bashaw, M.J. and Maple, T.L. (eds.) (2019) Scientific Foundations of Zoos and Aquariums: Their Role in Conservation and Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Kleiman, D.G., Thompson, K.V. and Baer, C.K. (eds.) (2010) Wild Mammals in Captivity: Principles and Techniques for Zoo Management. 2^nd edn. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
• Manning, A. and Dawkins, M.S. (2012) An Introduction to Animal Behaviour. 6^th edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• McDonald, P. et al. (2011) Animal Nutrition. 7^th edn. London: Pearson Education.
• Ramirez, K. (2019) Animal Training: Successful Animal Management through Positive Reinforcement. London: First Stone Publishing.
• Ruxton, G.D. and Colrgrave, N. (2016) Experimental Design for the Life Sciences. 4^th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press
• Urry, L.A. et al. (2020) Campbell Biology in Focus. 3^rd edn. Harlow: Pearson.

We are looking forward to you joining us in the autumn.  You may have studied this subject already, or this might be completely new to you.  Whatever your starting point, we are ready to support you with your learning.

You will find a range of resources below to help you prepare for your course. Keep notes about what you have found out or learnt to support your learning later on.

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