Animal Behaviour, Welfare & Conservation Science

This broad-based course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to enter a variety of professions within the animal sector. Our Animal Science subject area is top in the UK for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2022.

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)

In the first year, you are introduced to the concepts of biology, animal behaviour and welfare that you will use throughout the rest of your course. Laboratory skills are essential to science and you will receive a foundation in these. You will develop animal husbandry skills and knowledge.  You will also undertake a period of work experience so that you become familiar with the animal sector and develop practical skills necessary for the workplace.

MODULES

• Biological Concepts: This module aims to develop students' understanding of the key principles of animal biology, biological pathogens, laboratory skills and anatomical structure and function. The origins and classification of life will be covered together with cell and tissue structure and function. The main organs and systems of the animals' bodies will also be introduced.

• Husbandry: This module aims to develop students' knowledge and understanding of animal husbandry and provides the opportunity to gain practical experience with a wide range of animal species. Lectures, practical sessions and visits to local animal establishments will enable students to consolidate their practical experiences with appropriate husbandry theories. Use will be made of case study materials and guest speakers.
• Ethology and Anthrozoology: This module enables students to investigate the biological basis of natural behaviour, and evaluate the relationship between natural behaviour and captive animal welfare.  Students will carry out a practical study of a captive animal and discuss the link between animal welfare and the captive environment. Students will also examine a range of human and animal interrelationships and the costs and benefits associated with these interactions.
• Ethics and Welfare: This module aims to investigate contemporary issues within animal welfare and to introduce students to a range of relevant ethical issues. A variety of contemporary welfare issues will be critiqued during the module.  Students will have the opportunity to deliver their own workshops and seminars.
• Academic and Personal Development: This module aims to familiarise learners with the higher education culture, to build on key skills (logical, mathematical and critical) necessary for successful study in higher education.
• Professional Practice: A range of career opportunities and associated challenges with gaining employment within the animal sector will be studied in this module. Students will also have the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and competencies within a workplace setting of their choice.

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)

In the second year you will build upon knowledge gained in your first year and develop your understanding of a variety of topics in more detail. You will learn about nutrition, physiology, conservation, and population biology. You will also learn research skills and report writing within research methodologies.

MODULES

• Research Methodologies: This module will enable you to understand the role of relevant research within the field of equine studies. In addition, it will provide you with sufficient capability to plan a research project in your field of study, to define the research parameters, assess appropriate methodologies, and present your findings. You will learn how to examine and assess the appropriateness of different research methodologies to various research briefs and become aware of ethical and political issues in social research.

• Nutrition and Feeding Practice: This module will enable you to analyse the structure, role and value to the body of nutritional components of animal feed.  You will learn how to critically analyse the composition of animal feed and the role of different feeds within the animal diet. You will also be taught how to calculate feed rations for animals of varying ages and for different levels of 'work'.
• Anatomy and Physiology: This module aims to equip students with a working knowledge of topographical and skeletal anatomy and to enable them to identify anatomical landmarks. You will learn to  relate anatomical structure to function  and  further develop your practical laboratory skills
• Learning and Training: In this module you will develop a working knowledge of the principles of learning theory as applied to animals. You will link animal learning to training practices and will write and implement your own plan to train an animal to complete a task.  You will also evaluate traditional and contemporary training methods and associated equipment.
• Survey Skills for Conservation: The Survey Skills for Conservation module will equip students with the skills necessary to carry out a range of surveys for animal species. Students will identify and survey a range of animal species, and analyse and interpret data collected. The development of these skills will be achieved through practical field work, such as during visits to nature reserves and local woodlands. 
• Population Biology and Genetics: In this module you will learn the importance of population biology within evolution and the survival of organisms.  You will also develop a critical understanding of the genetic and mathematical principles of population biology.

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)

The final year provides students with the opportunity to complete their own unique piece of research, thus enabling them to focus on a topic of choice. Conservation, stress and welfare are concentrated on in this final year, together with methods of behaviour modification. Career development is also a central theme, and third years are expected to complete additional professional development activities alongside their degree to enhance their chances of employment.

MODULES

• Conservation Policy: This module will enable you to explore the ecology of a range of animal species native to the UK and understand the need for, and methods of, conservation of these species including Environmental Impact Assessment.

• Research Project: This module gives you the opportunity to carry out your own research in a topic which particularly interests you. In doing this project you will review literature pertinent to the chosen area of research,  evaluate relevant research design and develop a suitable method for data collection and analysis, analyse and interpret data collected and finally write up and discuss your findings in relation to the existing knowledge.
• Stress and Animal Welfare: The module enables students to explore how animal stress can be managed in a range of environments and situations. It also aims to provide students with an understanding of the physiological and behavioural adaptations of animals resulting from modern use and husbandry.
• Animal Behaviour Modification: The module aims to develop students' awareness of the need for a systematic approach to understanding the aetiology of behavioural problems seen in animals.  It will extend their understanding of how to analyse behavioural problems in animals and appreciate the limitations of relevant diagnostic techniques.
• Research Skills and Professional Development: The module equips students with the skills to critically evaluate research design as applicable to animal science, to select and justify appropriate methods for data collection and analysis, and to critically reflect on personal development over the duration of the programme of study, linking scholarship and practice through reflection on specific professional development activities.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Academic Entry Requirements

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)

In the first year, you are introduced to the concepts of biology, animal behaviour and welfare that you will use throughout the rest of your course. Laboratory skills are essential to science and you will receive a foundation in these. You will develop animal husbandry skills and knowledge.  You will also undertake a period of work experience so that you become familiar with the animal sector and develop practical skills necessary for the workplace.

MODULES

• Biological Concepts: This module aims to develop students' understanding of the key principles of animal biology, biological pathogens, laboratory skills and anatomical structure and function. The origins and classification of life will be covered together with cell and tissue structure and function. The main organs and systems of the animals' bodies will also be introduced.

• Husbandry: This module aims to develop students' knowledge and understanding of animal husbandry and provides the opportunity to gain practical experience with a wide range of animal species. Lectures, practical sessions and visits to local animal establishments will enable students to consolidate their practical experiences with appropriate husbandry theories. Use will be made of case study materials and guest speakers.
• Ethology and Anthrozoology: This module enables students to investigate the biological basis of natural behaviour, and evaluate the relationship between natural behaviour and captive animal welfare.  Students will carry out a practical study of a captive animal and discuss the link between animal welfare and the captive environment. Students will also examine a range of human and animal interrelationships and the costs and benefits associated with these interactions.
• Ethics and Welfare: This module aims to investigate contemporary issues within animal welfare and to introduce students to a range of relevant ethical issues. A variety of contemporary welfare issues will be critiqued during the module.  Students will have the opportunity to deliver their own workshops and seminars.
• Academic and Personal Development: This module aims to familiarise learners with the higher education culture, to build on key skills (logical, mathematical and critical) necessary for successful study in higher education.
• Professional Practice: A range of career opportunities and associated challenges with gaining employment within the animal sector will be studied in this module. Students will also have the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and competencies within a workplace setting of their choice.

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)

In the second year you will build upon knowledge gained in your first year and develop your understanding of a variety of topics in more detail. You will learn about nutrition, physiology, conservation, and population biology. You will also learn research skills and report writing within research methodologies.

MODULES

• Research Methodologies: This module will enable you to understand the role of relevant research within the field of equine studies. In addition, it will provide you with sufficient capability to plan a research project in your field of study, to define the research parameters, assess appropriate methodologies, and present your findings. You will learn how to examine and assess the appropriateness of different research methodologies to various research briefs and become aware of ethical and political issues in social research.

• Nutrition and Feeding Practice: This module will enable you to analyse the structure, role and value to the body of nutritional components of animal feed.  You will learn how to critically analyse the composition of animal feed and the role of different feeds within the animal diet. You will also be taught how to calculate feed rations for animals of varying ages and for different levels of 'work'.
• Anatomy and Physiology: This module aims to equip students with a working knowledge of topographical and skeletal anatomy and to enable them to identify anatomical landmarks. You will learn to  relate anatomical structure to function  and  further develop your practical laboratory skills
• Learning and Training: In this module you will develop a working knowledge of the principles of learning theory as applied to animals. You will link animal learning to training practices and will write and implement your own plan to train an animal to complete a task.  You will also evaluate traditional and contemporary training methods and associated equipment.
• Survey Skills for Conservation: The Survey Skills for Conservation module will equip students with the skills necessary to carry out a range of surveys for animal species. Students will identify and survey a range of animal species, and analyse and interpret data collected. The development of these skills will be achieved through practical field work, such as during visits to nature reserves and local woodlands. 
• Population Biology and Genetics: In this module you will learn the importance of population biology within evolution and the survival of organisms.  You will also develop a critical understanding of the genetic and mathematical principles of population biology.

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)

The final year provides students with the opportunity to complete their own unique piece of research, thus enabling them to focus on a topic of choice. Conservation, stress and welfare are concentrated on in this final year, together with methods of behaviour modification. Career development is also a central theme, and third years are expected to complete additional professional development activities alongside their degree to enhance their chances of employment.

MODULES

• Conservation Policy: This module will enable you to explore the ecology of a range of animal species native to the UK and understand the need for, and methods of, conservation of these species including Environmental Impact Assessment.

• Research Project: This module gives you the opportunity to carry out your own research in a topic which particularly interests you. In doing this project you will review literature pertinent to the chosen area of research,  evaluate relevant research design and develop a suitable method for data collection and analysis, analyse and interpret data collected and finally write up and discuss your findings in relation to the existing knowledge.
• Stress and Animal Welfare: The module enables students to explore how animal stress can be managed in a range of environments and situations. It also aims to provide students with an understanding of the physiological and behavioural adaptations of animals resulting from modern use and husbandry.
• Animal Behaviour Modification: The module aims to develop students' awareness of the need for a systematic approach to understanding the aetiology of behavioural problems seen in animals.  It will extend their understanding of how to analyse behavioural problems in animals and appreciate the limitations of relevant diagnostic techniques.
• Research Skills and Professional Development: The module equips students with the skills to critically evaluate research design as applicable to animal science, to select and justify appropriate methods for data collection and analysis, and to critically reflect on personal development over the duration of the programme of study, linking scholarship and practice through reflection on specific professional development activities.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Application stage

If you are an international student who requires a Student visa, your application should be made via Centurus. You will need to fill in your details, upload any documents relevant to your application and confirm your student declaration.

If you are applying for a research degree, such as MPhil or PhD, you should click here.

The documents that need to be uploaded are:

• A scanned copy of your passport (including personal details page).
• Certificates and transcripts showing your academic progression so far.
• Certified translations of overseas certificates and transcripts where the document is not in English or Welsh.
• An acceptable English language certificate.
• Copy of Tuberculosis screening if you are a resident in any of the countries listed. More information about Tuberculosis screening can be found here.
• 1 academic reference letter (further references might be required).
• Evidence of finances to pay first year’s full tuition fee and to cover UKVI maintenance requirements.
• Evidence of work experience (where relevant).

If you have previously studied in the UK, you are also required to provide the extra documents listed below:

• A scanned copy of the passport page showing entry clearance in to the UK and return overseas.
• Copies of any UK visas you have previously held.
• Copies of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) documents / visa letters for all previous studies undertaken in the UK.
• Copies of any visa / ATAS refusal letters (if applicable).
• Copies of any visa / ATAS appeal or administrative review letters (if applicable).
• Evidence of any removal / deportation / detention notices (if applicable).

For more information about the UKVI requirements, please read the Student visa guidance on UK Government website here.

Please note, once an application has been submitted all correspondence to and from Wrexham Glyndŵr University should be made via the notes section on Centurus.