VSC112 Animal Behaviour and Welfare (8)

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly clear that we directly or indirectly influence the quality of life of very many other animals. Animal welfare is an important and emotional issue that draws on a number of different disciplines and affects Australian animal industries, as well as companion animal owners and research establishments. In VSC112 Animal Behaviour and Welfare, students study contemporary welfare issues and advances in animal welfare science as well as in animal behaviour. The subject is arranged in 3 modules: in module 1 students cover fundamental principles in animal behaviour. Module 2 covers the behaviour and welfare of a range of animals. In module 3, students are exposed to the factors that influence both our attitude to animal welfare and decision making. Unlike other subjects, there is no “right and wrong” in animal welfare judgments, but instead different viewpoints that are shaped by our experiences and constrained by other ethical considerations.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 1
Internal	Wagga Wagga Campus
Distance	Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: VSC112
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration	Grading System	School:
One session	HD/FL	School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Enrolment restrictions

Requires special permission from the Subject Coordinator if the student is not a Bachelor of Animal Science, Bachelor of Equine Science or Bachelor of Veterinary Technology student.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to describe some of the basic principles in animal behaviour (ethology);
be able to collect and use behavioural data for research;
be able to explain how animal welfare is defined and its role and influence in modern society;
be able to recognise normal and abnormal behaviour of animals and describe common behavioural problems in domestic and captive wildlife species;
be able to recognise the interaction between domestic animal behaviour, management and welfare;
be able to describe management protocols currently available to prevent or alleviate behavioural or related production problems;
be able to explain how economic pressures impact farmers, animal welfare decision making and consumer behaviour;
be able to identify the main legislative instruments concerning animal welfare, minimum standards and best practice requirements and;
be able to discuss current and emerging welfare concerns and developments in Australia and elsewhere.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:

Module 1: Fundamentals of Animal Behaviour
Adaptiveness of behaviour
Animal learning and training
Behavioural development
Behavioural genetics
Module 2: Welfare and management
Poultry behaviour and welfare
Captive mammal behaviour and welfare
Pig behaviour and welfare
Sheep behaviour and welfare
Cattle behaviour and welfare
Dairy cattle behaviour and welfare
Fish Behaviour and welfare
Horse behaviour and welfare
Module 3: Welfare and society
Animal ethics and our moral concern for animals
Trade effects on animal welfare
Economic effects on animal welfare
Consumer effects and welfare assurance schemes
Societal concerns over euthanasia and pain in animals
Legislation

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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.