UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
Myerscough College
3. University School/Centre
Forensic and Applied Sciences
4. External Accreditation
N/A
5. Title of Final Award
BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full-time
7. UCAS Code
D320
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
QAA Agriculture, Forestry, Agricultural Sciences, Food
Sciences and Consumer Sciences (2009)
9. Other external influences
None
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
21 June 2013
11. Aims of the Programme
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To produce graduates who can conduct relevant investigative and trials work
To produce graduates who can apply behavioural science for the benefit of animals and animal
owners/carers
To supply graduates to industry who can lead, contribute to and develop welfare practises
To develop learner’s appreciation of current and developing welfare practises within the animal
industry sector
To encourage development of learners in terms of personal and professional communication skills
so they can work effectively in a professional environment, both within a team and as
independently
To develop critical and analytical skills of the learners
To equip learners with the skills and abilities to undertake postgraduate research and/or
employment.
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12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Philosophy associated with human/animal interactions
A2. Physiology associated with behaviour
A3. Evolution and adaptation of behaviour to the environment
A4. Normal and abnormal behaviour
A5. Psychology of the animal and its owner
A6. Welfare requirements of animals and associated legislation
A7. Welfare, maintenance and reproduction of healthy animals
A8. Scientific method in approaching welfare and behavioural issues.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials,
laboratory/practical work, group work, case studies and project work. Independent learning is
encouraged by independent reading and study to supplement and consolidate what is being taught
and learnt and to broaden individual knowledge of the subject.
Assessment methods
A combination of coursework and examinations will be used for assessment. The coursework
assessment methods will include essays, technical reports, group and individual presentations,
laboratory/practical reports, individual study projects and case studies.
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Prepare descriptive analytical reports on animal behaviour in relation to their welfare
B2. Competence in handling animals and identifying normal and abnormal behaviour
B3. Appraise the situation in which animals are found and assess their welfare requirements
B4. Recognise the welfare issues raised in relation to variety of uses of animals by mankind
B5. The ability to communicate with and counsel animal owners in a range of situations
B6. Competence in carrying out a range of laboratory procedures.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Subject specific skills will be developed through delivery of the specialist subject material identified in
the module descriptions and using the teaching and learning programme as identified above. Subject
specific skills are further developed by the use of case studies and coursework assignments that
reflect practice in the animal sector and reinforced by feedback from assessments. Information
technology and computational skills are also developed through project work, presentations and
coursework reports.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods will include case studies, coursework assignments, project work, presentations
and coursework reports.
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Locate, evaluate and synthesise information from a range of sources
C2. Design, conduct and interpret an investigative study
C3. Analyse and evaluate scientific papers and investigative work
C4. Analyse problems, think creatively to develop practical solutions and evaluate alternatives
C5. Research issues and present findings using communication skills
C6. Formulate and test concepts and hypotheses.
Teaching and Learning Methods
The intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme as outlined above.
Problem solving and analysis skills are further developed through case studies and by the use of
project work.
Assessment methods
Thinking skills are assessed using the assessment methods described above.
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D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Communicate professionally in written reports and in presentations as appropriate to the situation
D2. Work independently and work as a member of a team
D3. Apply problem solving skills in various settings
D4. Use appropriate information technology skills in various situations
D5. Reflect on personal development and to seek appropriate, individual development needs
D6. Apply mathematical formulae to solving problems.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Transferable skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme and the assessment
strategies outlined above. Communication skills are developed in formative sessions and formally
assessed in project work and assignment tasks. Teamwork is developed in group activities and
through practical work. Reflection and development needs are developed through tutorials and
self-assessment of performance.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods are as described above.
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13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level 6
Module
Code
MR3018
MR3112
MR3200
MR3201
MR3204
Module Title
Canine and Feline Behaviour
Applied Behavioural Studies
Research Project
Advances in Animal Behaviour and
Welfare
Behavioural Ecology
14. Awards and Credits*
Credit
rating
20
20
40
20
BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour
and Welfare
Requires 360 credits including a
minimum of 120 at Level 6 and
120 at Level 5.
20
BSc Animal Behaviour and
Welfare
Requires 320 credits including a
minimum of 80 at Level 6 and
120 at Level 5 (the Research
Project is not required).
Level 5
MR2037
MR2058
MR2063
MR2125
MR2203
MR2204
MR2205
Animal Welfare Studies
Animal Welfare Legislation
Human/Animal Interface
Research Methods
Animal Nutrition
Biological Basis of Behaviour
Breeding and Genetics
Elective
20
10
10
20
20
10
10
20
Diploma of Higher Education
Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Requires 240 credits including a
minimum of 100 at Level 5.
Level 4
MR1008
MR1025
MR1033
MR1050
Data Handling
Animal Science
Animal Health
Introduction to Animal Behaviour and
Welfare
Animal Philosophy and Ethics
Animal Training
Study Skills and Personal
Development
Elective
10
20
20
20
Certificate of Higher Education
Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Requires 120 credits including a
minimum of 100 at Level 4.
MR1302
MR1303
MR1322
10
10
10
20
15. Personal Development Planning
Personal Development Planning is an essential component of the course. The course will help students
recognise the importance of being proactive within their own personal development. The course will help
develop key personal and transferable skills which promote employability, entrepreneurship, academic
excellence, professional development and global citizenship.
Each student will be allocated a Personal Tutor with whom students will be encouraged to develop skills
for independent learning and reflection on student’s academic, personal and professional development.
Students will meet with their personal tutor at least twice per semester to develop short and long-term
goals, review and plan their progress on the course and discuss their future career path.
Each student group has a weekly timetabled and structured course tutorial which will be used to develop
generic personal, employability and academic skills with student groups. An on-line scheme of work,
together with web based and other support materials, is available to staff and students alike in the
delivery of these tutorial sessions.
Students have access to a wide range of personal development advisory services through the ‘Core’
including careers, financial advice, pastoral support and help with study skills. Students have access to
the student support services at the University through the ‘I’, ‘Futures’ and ‘WISER’ study skills.
Students on honours degrees also have the opportunity to study a series of personal development
modules as a mandatory or optional part of their course. Through these modules students will be
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encouraged to reflect on their personal and professional development, plan realistically for career
progression and manage their own career development.
All students will also have access to the College ‘Learn2Work’ programme and activities that contribute to
ensuring employability of our students can also count towards the ‘Learn2Work’ awards.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been
made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most
up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
260 UCAS Tariff points from one of the following:
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3 A-levels at minimum C or above
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma at DMM
BTEC Level 3 Diploma at D*D
4 Scottish Highers at minimum C or above
4 Irish Highers at minimum C or above
International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points
AS levels and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are not
sufficient for entry on their own. Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively.
Consideration will be given to non-traditional qualifications and relevant work experience. Applicants are
encouraged to produce evidence of their potential to benefit from the course. Applicants who believe they
may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) for
certain modules will be considered on an individual basis.
Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International
English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or
equivalent.
All offers may be subject to successful interview.
17. Key sources of information about the programme
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UCAS: http://www.ucas.ac.uk
Myerscough College web site: www.myerscough.ac.uk
Myerscough College higher education prospectus:
http://www.myerscough.ac.uk/?page=Prospectuses
Course fact sheet: http://www.myerscough.ac.uk/?page=higher-education
Course Tutor: Kirsty Aspinall
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18. Curriculum Skills Map
Ticks indicate where individual Programme Learning Outcomes will be assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Level
Module
Code Module Title
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
Knowledge and understanding Subject-specific Skills
Thinking Skills
Other skills relevant to
employability and
personal development
MR3018
MR3112
MR3200
MR3201
COMP
COMP
C
COMP
MR3204
Canine and Feline Behaviour
Applied Behavioural Studies
Research Project
Advances in Animal Behaviour
and Welfare
Behavioural Ecology
MR2037
MR2058
MR2063
MR2125
MR2203
MR2204
MR2205
Animal Welfare Studies
Animal Welfare Legislation
Human/Animal Interface
Research Methods
Animal Nutrition
Biological Basis of Behaviour
Breeding and Genetics
COMP
COMP
COMP
COMP
COMP
COMP
COMP
MR1008
MR1025
MR1033
MR1050
Data Handling
Animal Science
Animal Health
Introduction to Animal
Behaviour and Welfare
Animal Philosophy and Ethics
Animal Training
Study Skills and Personal
Development
COMP
COMP
COMP
COMP
4
5
6
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
MR1201
MR1303
MR1322
Note:
COMP
COMP
COMP
COMP
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Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
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