MSc Animal Welfare and Conservation

• Applicants will normally hold a good BSc Honours degree (2.2 or above) from a recognised university in a related science subject such as animal science, agriculture, biological sciences, zoology, veterinary or bioveterinary science or other appropriate life-science degree.
• Applicants with a BSc (Hons) 3rd class pass, with extensive industrial experience may also be considered for the Masters programme. Applications from non-UK students are particularly welcome. 
• All applications received will be reviewed and decisions for admission to the programme will be made on individual merit. Applicants may be interviewed if there is some doubt over the extent of academic qualification or linguistic skills. 
• Applicants for whom English is a second language are required to demonstrate a level of competence that enables them to study at a postgraduate level. A test score of 6.5 is required in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) tests.

SEMESTER ONE

• Research Methods (Postgraduate) - this module begins with personal development planning (PDP) in which students will identify an appropriate research approach in the context of their individual aspirations and, where applicable, their professional role. The module introduces students to research and research methods from the perspectives of the researcher, research manager or managerial user. The module will discuss the research process of: identifying issues and problems; specifying research; collecting and processing primary and secondary data and information; analysing findings and producing conclusions, recommendations and suggestions for further investigation. Emphasis will be placed on methods that are objective, systematic, reliable, valid, ethical, effective and efficient. Guidance will also be given on the preparation of research papers and reports. This module will prepare students for dealing with research in all modules and in particular the Dissertation module. Taught postgraduates from all disciplines will initially share a generic overview that is appropriate for a postgraduate understanding of research and the methods that underpin it. Thereafter, the students will devolve to tutors in their discipline to deal with the curriculum content in greater, contextualised detail. The greater part of the assessment will be applied to learning from this second part of the module.
• Animal Genetic Resources - This module is designed to provide the underpinning scientific principles needed for modules in semester B. Students will be introduced to the physiology of reproduction in animal species, wild, captive and livestock breeding programmes, and the associated genetic and reproductive technologies. Topics covered will include diverse issues such as conservation genetics, behavioral genetics, and managing small population sizes with limited genetic resources.
• Nutritional Issues in Animal Welfare - This module is designed to enable students to be able to critically appraise the links between animal nutrition, performance, health and welfare in a range of animal species. Several areas will be explored such as comparative nutritional adaptations in animals, feeding behaviour and regulation of voluntary feed intake, the challenges of feeding wild animals in captive environments, appraisal of procedures for conducting nutritional assessments and/or investigations, impact and management of nutritional disorders; and in-depth analysis of case-studies of nutrition issues in farm, companion and wild animals. Students will also look at nutritional similarities and differences across a variety of animal species including the implications of using the well-studied nutritional needs of domestic animals, as the basis or model for diet design and feeding practice for wild animals in captive environments whose nutritional needs are not well researched.
• Wildlife Resources - This module explores the current effects of anthropogenic activity on biodiversity, and considers the importance of biodiversity to human welfare; consideration is also given to the concept of sustainability. A central tenet of the module is the investigation of the utilization and exploitation of wild animals, and addresses the scientific, political and economic drivers which impact on wildlife resources. Issues relating to the conservation of wildlife are considered, encompassing both in situ and ex situ approaches. Students will also explore issues relating to bioeconomics and access to benefit sharing. Overall, this module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the value, utilization and conservation of wildlife resources.

SEMESTER TWO

• Animal Ethics and Welfare - This module has been developed to provide students with the knowledge of animal welfare science that will enable them to make ethical decisions on the use of animals. Particular emphasis will be placed on how animal welfare is assessed as well as the internal and external factors that contribute to welfare levels. The relationship between welfare and ethics will be discussed. Finally the module will also evaluate the ethical implications of human relationships with animals including conservation, companion animals, food production and animals in research.
• Current Issues in Animal Science - The module is designed to enable students to identify and investigate current issues in animal science and to develop an enhanced appreciation of the opportunities and challenges facing the various parts of the animal sector. The potential areas covered range from topical issues in companion animal and farmed livestock to those in wild animals both in zoos and wild in their natural habitats. The module also aims to critically evaluate interrelationships between the various aspects of animal science such as nutrition, behaviour, welfare, human and animal health, the environment and sustainable resource management.
• Animal Behaviour - The module examines the basic behavioural repertoires of animals, including wild species, domestic and companion animals, leading to an understanding of the motivation behind complex behaviours seen in for example reproduction and social interactions. The module also provides knowledge of behavioural measurement, using unbiased data collection, analysis and interpretation techniques.
• Animal Protection and Habitat Conservation - This module investigates the scientific, cultural and ethical drivers underpinning the protection of wild animal populations and their landscapes. Relevant international legislation and organisational efforts and practices are reviewed through high profile case studies. Using specific examples, students are encouraged to develop a practical understanding of the various methods used in the sector for habitat conservation, including reserve / protected area design, and use of habitat suitability index studies to inform management practice. The use of specific case studies taken from high profile species or conservation projects to demonstrate the use of modern scientific methods to promote effective species conservation will be included. Principles of systematic conservation planning together with population viability analysis, and concepts of minimum viable populations and minimum viable areas are also examined with reference to specific examples.