Veterinary Degrees Online

Course overview
The study of Animal Behaviour is increasingly important with new, surprising applications. The solutions to important environmental problems require an expert understanding of animal behaviour, whether charting the recovery of endangered populations, or avoiding outbreaks of diseases such as avian flu. The importance of captive breeding and reintroduction means that experts in animal behaviour have an important part to play in the management of zoo animals as part of conservation programmes. The subjects of Animal Behaviour and Ecology & Conservation combine to produce a field of study that is both scientifically rigorous and extremely relevant to today’s world.

Ecology and Conservation will give you a broad understanding of the ecology of species, communities and ecosystems. You will learn to apply that knowledge to find solutions to the problems of threatened wildlife and habitats. The core theme of the Animal Behaviour programme is the study and interpretation of the natural behaviour of animals and reflects the development of the discipline from both psychological and zoological origins. Central to the programme is training in the field methods used in animal behaviour, and in ecology and conservation. There are regular field trip opportunities ranging from short trips to observe birds in Cambridge’s Botanical Garden, through long weekends on the Isle of Rum observing the deer rut, to fortnight-long expeditions to East Africa (self-funded).
Year one core modules:
Core Biology
Biomeasurement
Ecology
Introduction to Animal Behaviour & Welfare
Animal Behaviour in Context
Year two core modules:
BioGIS
Practical Biology
Preparation for Research
Concepts in Animal Behaviour
Year three core modules:
Countryside Management
Undergraduate Project
Behavioural Ecology
Advanced Topics in Behavioural Ecology
Methods of teaching and learning
Hands-on practical classes and field trips form a significant part of the teaching of this degree, in addition to more traditional lectures, seminars and active learning sessions. The methods of learning and teaching focus on the development of knowledge, academic and transferable skills, including an awareness of moral and ethical issues related to the subject of the degree.
Study abroad
The Department has exchange agreements with the University of New Brunswick, Canada, and Marshall University, West Virginia, USA. Students taking Wildlife Biology, Ecology and Conservation, Marine Biology and Zoology can take advantage of the exchange programme (subject to availability of suitable courses at the host University). More familiar subjects can also be studied in a novel environment. Students normally participate in exchanges in Year 2 of their Anglia studies.
Associated careers

This pathway is designed to provide you with the specialised skills required to work as a professional in the discipline of animal behaviour, ecology and conservation. The programme also provides a very good general training as a scientist, enabling you to work in the field or in the laboratory for a wide range of organisations. Potential employers include: government agencies, environmental consultancies, wildlife conservation organisations, educational and research establishments. The course may also lead on to further postgraduate study and a research career.
Assessment

This course uses a wide range of methods of assessment including essays, practical reports, computer based assessments, presentations, debates, steeplechase tests, reviews of scientific papers and examinations. The weighting of different assessment methods varies between modules and levels of study.
Special features

Field Trips – The Department organises a wide range of one-day and residential field trips to a variety of exciting locations both in the UK and abroad. Residential field trips currently include deer watching in Rum, Scotland; marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecology and animal behaviour in Devon; seabirds and seals in the Farne Islands; marine biology in western Scotland; Bialowieza primeval forest in Poland; zoo design and management in the Netherlands; tropical wildlife and ecology in Kenya, and diving and marine biology in the Red Sea (Note: residential field trips require a significant financial contribution from the student).
Other areas of interest

Staff within the department are engaged in a range of research activities – such as primate biology, invertebrate biogeography, ecology of ground beetles, breeding ecology of blue tits, elephant ecology and behaviour and insect-plant interactions, national monitoring schemes, ladybird behaviour and ecology.

Course overview
This course offers you the opportunity to study these closely related fields in an exciting and dynamic environment, and to learn from teaching staff who are at the forefront of research in this rapidly advancing field.

Although based on the Animal Behaviour degree, this course also contains important elements concerning animal welfare and animal health, and considers how these issues affect both wild and domesticated animals.

The animal behaviour element deals with a fundamental aspect of the modern life sciences: how animals adapt their behaviour in order best to survive. An understanding of natural animal behaviour is also important in ensuring high welfare standards for farm and zoo animals.

Theoretical aspects will be covered in formal lectures and seminars while practical exercises will enable you to test these ideas by designing experiments, or by detailed field observations. The opportunity to take part in self-funded field trips to a range of locations will give you the chance to try out these skills in ‘real life’ situations.

When you graduate you will be able to:
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the major concepts, principles and theories associated with animal behaviour and animal welfare
display an awareness of the major developments within this field
undertake field investigations in a responsible, safe and ethical manner.
This course presents an opportunity to study within an exciting and dynamic learning environment, close to the leading edge of this rapidly advancing field. It’s also about providing you with a range of skills that are likely to be valued by potential employers in a variety of sectors.
Module guide
Year one core modules:
Core Biology
Biomeasurement
Introduction to Animal Behaviour & Welfare
Animal Behaviour in Context
Animal Husbandry
Comparative Mammalian Physiology
Year two core modules:
Preparation for Research
Practical Biology
Applied Ethology and Animal Welfare
Animal Health and Nutrition
Concepts in Animal Behaviour
Year three core modules:
Undergraduate Project
Animal Welfare and Society
Design for Animal Welfare
Advanced Topics in Behavioural Ecology
Behavioural Ecology
Associated careers

The pathway provides excellent general training as a scientist, enabling you to work in the field or in the laboratory for a wide range of organisations. Potential employers include: government agencies, environmental consultancies, wildlife conservation organisations, educational and research establishments. The course may also lead on to further postgraduate study and a research career.
Assessment

This course uses a wide range of methods of assessment including essays, practical reports, computer based assessments, presentations, debates, steeplechase tests, reviews of scientific papers and examinations. The weighting of different assessment methods varies between modules and levels of study.

Description:
Veterinarians play a major role in the healthcare of pets, livestock, zoo animals, and sporting and laboratory animals. Some veterinarians work in livestock production and in research, broadening the scope of fundamental theoretical and applied knowledge. Others use their skills to protect humans against diseases carried by animals and conduct clinical research into human and animal health problems.

JCU’s School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences has offered the Bachelor of Veterinary Science since 2006. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to diagnose, treat and prevent disease in a wide range of animals including companion animals, farm animals, aquatic species and native fauna. In addition, students will acquire a thorough knowledge of animal production systems, particularly tropical animal husbandry and aquaculture.

The final year of the course is devoted to clinical and professional training and is delivered in a series of clinical rotations through veterinary hospitals, practices, laboratories and government agencies in Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Charters Towers and Malanda. Graduates will be eligible for registration as a veterinarian.

Duration:
5 years full-time

Mode:
On campus (Internal), full time

Workload:
Normal workload expectations are a minimum of 10 hours per week for every subject, including class contact hours, preparation and time spent on assessment tasks.

Type:
Undergraduate

Credit points:
120 credit points o

Intake:
February

Campus:
Townsville

Animal Clinical Sciences offers courses designed to meet the needs of the professional program in veterinary medicine, the post-D.V.M. clinical training programs (internships and residencies) that provide the basis for specialty board certification, and the graduate program leading to the master of science degree. Students, interns and residents have the opportunity to gain a broad base of experience in treating a variety of small animals, including companion animals and wildlife and zoo animals, through the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The hospital, equivalent to a 300-bed human hospital, provides high-quality service and patient care. The majority of the faculty are board certified and many are doing research as well as clinical work. The department has a solid reputation in orthopedic and thoracic surgery as well as anesthesiology. Current research in the department includes, but is not limited to, orthopedic research, molecular genetics, cardiomyoplasty, new anesthetic methods, and treatment and therapies for shock. In addition, a Veterinary Biomechanical Evaluation Laboratory allows veterinarians to study gait and motion in dogs. The Laboratory for Comparative Orthopaedic Research and the Laboratory for Molecular Medicine are special areas of emphasis in the department