Applied Animal Behaviour

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Domestic animals, such as farm, companion or laboratory ­animals, play a prominent and important role in society providing a range of benefits to humans including improvements in human health and welfare. A thorough understanding of animal behaviour is essential in the humane care and efficient management of these domestic animals. This subject describes and examines the behaviour of farm, companion and laboratory animals and highlights our understanding of the causation and function of behaviour.

Topics covered include:

• describing, recording and measuring behaviour; development of ­behaviour;

• stimuli and communication;

• motivation and decision making;

• learning and memory;

• genetic influences on behaviour;

• hormonal influences on behaviour;

• organisation of behaviour;

• social behaviour; sexual behaviour; and

• maternal behaviour and dam-neonate interactions; and behavioural ­problems.

The subject provides students with the opportunity to understand the behavioural requirements of domestic animals that are fundamental to their welfare and their ability to efficiently grow and reproduce and remain healthy. Such an understanding is a prerequisite for the efficient and humane management of domestic animals.

• Farm Animal Behaviour and Welfare (A F Fraser and D M Broom), CAB International, 1990
• The Behaviour of Domestic Animals (B L Hart), W H Freeman & Co, 1985
• An Introduction to Animal Behaviour (A Manning and M S Dawkins), 4th edn, CUP, 1993

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Information Not Available

This subject involves the use of animals. Students should be aware that this is an essential part of the course and exemption from this component is not possible.