BSc Animal ScienceJune 2014

Welcome & IntroductionJonathan Guy

– Degree Programme Director for BSc Animal Science

Jonathan.guy@newcastle.ac.uk

0191 208 6901

Overview of the subject talk

• Aim of the course

• Career prospects in animal science

• Structure and content of BSc Animal Science

• Research by students and staff

• Opportunities to develop your skills

(24 slides)

‘Classification’ of Animal Science

• Science

– Chemistry

– Biology

• Plant Biology

• Animal Biology– Zoology

– Agriculture

– Animal Science

» Health, Behaviour & Welfare

» Biochemistry & Nutrition

» Physiology & Reproduction

•Engineering

Animal Science

A career working with animals

BSc Animal Science

• Detailed study of domestic animals

– Biological functioning and behaviour

– Relationship to food production, and animals as pets, exhibits and in sport

• Career-focused course

– Flexible in choice of subjects

– Opportunities to develop additional skills such as language or business

Career options in animal science

Health & welfare RSPCA, Vet. Sci., farm assurance

Animal science nutrition and breeding

Consultancy & sales animal health, food production

Professional accountancy, law, teaching

Research higher degrees e.g. MSc., PhD

2011-2012

- 50 % in work (50)

- 25% further study

- 25% otherhttp://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/subjects/biology/courses/623

Course content

• Compulsory and optional subjects (modules)

• Complete 120 credits per year

• 10 credit subjects: 100 hrs of study time

– Lectures 22 hrs

– Fieldwork 12 hrs

– Report writing 10 hrs

– Private study 56 hrs

Animal Science – 1st yearBiochemistry

Microbiology

Evolution

Business/Language

Physiology

Genetics

Behaviour

Data analysis

Link to actual modules on our web page

Subject to change, until May 2015

Stage 1 in Sept 2015Common study & research skills module for all

Stage 1 students in AFRD

Farm to fork: interdisciplinary module reflecting research strengths of the School

Improved introductory biological science modules (Biochemistry/Physiology/Genetics/Business)

Animal Science – 2nd year

Application of scientific principles to husbandry

– Feed science & technology

– Molecular Genetics & Mammalian Biochemistry

– Equine studies

– Animal Breeding

– Non-ruminant livestock

Lectures, seminars, visits

Degree Structure: Year 3

Focus on higher learning

Latest scientific findings

Challenging current views

Student-led+ learning

Development of individuals

Communication & presentation

Conference organisation

Career-directed subjects

Gut physiology and piglet health

Hip dysplasia in the bullmastiffEnvironmental enrichment for dogs

Parasitic mites in free range hens

Research projects

Animal Science - Research• Reproductive physiology

• Animal nutrition

• Animal welfare, health & behaviour– Sustainable animal production

– Pain assessment

Facilities available at farms

University owned and commercially-run farms for teaching, demonstration and research projects

The effect of shoes on the forelimb

gait kinematics of 8 unshod ponies

and its implications for performance

Frances Arksey 100637698

THE IMPACT OF LAMENESS ON MILK YIELD,

FERTILITY AND MASTITIS OF HIGH YIELDING

DAIRY COWS

Katherine Hall

RESULTS – CHANGE IN MILK YIELDS

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

Ch

ang

e in

Dai

ly M

ilk

Yie

ld k

g/d

ay

Days in milk when lameness occurred

Figure 3. Average change in daily yield from the month when lameness occurred to the following month

Never Lame

Lame

* Results for

never lame and

lame at some

point are

significant, in

that month

(P<0.05)

Variable results

Days 30-59, non-lame cows the yield has plateaued, whereas the lame cows milk yield has already decreased by 3kg.

Sarah Awburn

Not Present (0) Moderately Present (1) Obviously Present (2)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

before pre-med 1h after pre-med 6h after pre-med 3d post-op check

Fig 2. Graph to show the pain score that subjects gave

the photos taken at the various time points

pain

no pain

Don't know

Application process - Candidate

• Check entry criteria– A Levels: ABB-BBB; E.g. Biol, Chem, Maths (B GCSE)

– IB: 32-35 points; Biol HL-6, Chem HL, Maths (SL5)

– BTEC Level 3 Science-based subject - Animal Management,

Agriculture, with substantial Biol and Chem

overall at DDM grade, plus Maths (B GCSE) or

Key Skills Level 2 Application of Number

• Complete UCAS form

• Personal statement and Reference (academic)• http://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/little-guide-2014.pdf

Application process - University

• UCAS Application arrives with Admissions Tutor– Candidate meets entry criteria?

– Personal statement and Reference (academic)?

• Make decision Conditional or Unconditional

• Communicate via UCAS, email, letter

• Come and talk Post-application Open Days1 and 22 March 2014

• Applicant decides C/F, U/F or Insurance

• Confirm place Results on 14 August 2014

Summary - BSc Animal Science

Flexible and challenging course

Covers all aspects of the animal’s life

Foundations in science

Application to a range of species

Career-focused learning

Developing individualsAnimal Science

Can dummy teats reduce stress in dairy calves?

Nafferton Farm

6 weeks over the summer

Poor welfare in any production animal can have detrimental effects on their health.

Stress is a major factor of poor welfare.

My project found that providing calves with dummy teats reduced their stress levels

Timetable – 1st year

• 25-30 hrs lectures/practicals per week in 1st year

Timetable – 3rd year

12-15 hrs lectures/seminars per week in 3rd year