Undergraduate - UnitBIO3712 - Case studies in animal management

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

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Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Offered	Gippsland Second semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Professor Mark Sandeman

Synopsis

Students undertaking this unit are provided an opportunity to explore the problems and threats to animal species in the human environment. A series of case studies allow the students to analyse issues raised by agricultural production techniques, the management of pet species, and the significant stress on natural animal populations due to human impacts including climate change and habitat destruction. Students will explore examples of topical issues for a range of animal species and try to develop possible solutions. Students will carry out research and analysis for each of the case studies and present their findings in seminars to their peers and lecturers. Success in the subject will depend on the student's ability to work in groups and individually.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the unit the students will be able to:

Understand the importance of human management in both natural and agricultural systems;
Understand the complexity of wild and domestic animal management and the ethical, ecological and human behavioural issues that impact on animal health and welfare;
Understand the role of research in the development of clear advice and guidelines to solve such issues;
Have confidence in their ability to present information in written and oral forms using available technological aids;
Further develop their ability to work productively in groups to co-operatively solve difficult issues;
Develop communication skills in understanding scientific articles, synthesizing information, writing client-based reports;
Demonstrate critical and reflective thinking to concepts and solutions in animal management;
Exhibit ethical and responsible attitudes to animal welfare and in the development of scientific writing and reporting of results; working in small groups; problem solving and understanding plagiarism.