Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Code LIFE118
Coordinator Dr LU Sneddon
School of Life Sciences
Lsneddon@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 4 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE101; LIFE103; LIFE105; LIFE107; LIFE109  

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
LIFE217; LIFE215; LIFE239; LIFE216; LIFE240 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 24
Two 1 hour lectures will be given each week
        2
Workshop
2
Formative revision MCQ
28
Timetable (if known) Students shall be directed to reading materials to supplement lectures
  		        Students will learn about poster presentation and will be encouraged to decide their own topic relevant to animal husbandry, research this and produce a poster
Revision MCQs will be provided online during the module
Student mini conference where their posters will be exhibited
  		 
Private Study 122
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  2hr  Semester 2  80  Yes    Exam Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 1: Continuous Assessment will be the production of an electronic A1 poster, produced by students working in pairs and presented at a mini conference. Each student in the pair receives the same marks for the poster but shall also receive a peer mark from their partner. Anonymous marking for this assessment is not possible. Assessment 2: Written Examination Written examination will be objective assessment (e.g. multiple choice and extended matching questions)  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1000 words  Semester 2  20  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Poster 

Aims

This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of:

  1. The present day structure of the agriculture industry including topics such as seasonality of production of the various domesticated animal species, the breeds used and which management  strategies are employed.
  2. The role of various crops and crop by-products as food sources; their evaluation as suitable foods for animals; how the nutritional requirements of animals are met;  and how to assess and formulate rations to prevent poor performance, metabolic disease and toxicities.
  3. Introductory theory of practical animal breeding; and to apply, evaluate and interpret problems in veterinary animal husbandry.


Learning Outcomes

Describe the role of the agricultural industry in the UK and to explain the seasonality of the production cycle and the interaction between crop and animal production and to identify the industries that pertain to a variety of farm and companion animal species.

Demonstrate how to assess and formulate nutritional rations and describe the causes of metabolic conditions and toxicities;  

Define how animals grow, develop and breed, and the factors that influence these processes, such as inherited diseases;

Explain an animal''s responses to changes in the climatic environment and how these influence efficiency and productivity outcomes.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - Two 1 hour lectures will be given each week

Students shall be directed to reading materials to supplement lectures

Other - Workshop

Students will learn about poster presentation and will be encouraged to decide their own topic relevant to animal husbandry, research this and produce a poster

Online MCQs - Formative revision MCQ

Revision MCQs will be provided online during the module

other - Student Mini Conference

Student mini conference where their posters will be exhibited

Syllabus
1 
Introductory physiology:
  • Basic physiology covering reproduction, digestion (simple stomached, fore-gut / hind-gut fermenter), homeostasis. To enable understanding of animal management and husbandry aspects.
 
Envi ronment, nutrition & housing:
  • The present-day role and structure of the agricultural industry in the UK
  • The seasonality of the production cycle and the interaction between crop and animal production
  • The core nutrients, and design and formulation of diets
  • The causes of metabolic conditions and toxicities
  • How animals grow and develop and the factors that influence these processes
  • Animal responses to changes in the climatic environment and how this impacts on the design of animal housing, and production efficiency
  • Typical production cycles and management practices in the UK
               
 
Welfare:
  • Anima l behaviour relevant to addressing problems of husbandry and welfare associated with captive husbandry of managed animals
  • The meaning of animal welfare and importance of the Brambell Report and the Farm Animal Welfare Committee
  • The “Five Freedoms” and the use of behaviour to understand welfare
 
Breeding:
  • Introduction to common breeding practices employed in the UK livestock sectors.

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: