Animal Welfare and Ethics

Subject DASC30015 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 lectures (2 x I hour per week); 1 tutorial (I hour) and a three hour practical (weekly)
Total Time Commitment: 72 hours in a total of 120 hours
Prerequisites:

A physiology subject at 200 level such as:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Corequisites: N/A
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50
Non Allowed Subjects: N/A
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Prof Paul Hemsworth

Contact

Email: phh@unimelb.edu.au

Phone: 8344 8383

MSLE Student Centre

Email: msle-ugrad@unimelb.edu.au

Phone: 8344 0276

Subject Overview:

This subject develops knowledge and understanding of systems for regulating body function, and physiological and behavioural processes that are utilised by animals in response to environmental challenge. This basis will allow students to evaluate and assess animal welfare and ethical issues that confront livestock production and amenity use of animals in society. The subject will also develop knowledge in adaptation, preference testing, cognition, and short/long-term biological response.

Specific topics covered include:

  • the current debate about animal usage and animal welfare;
  • systems regulating the body (homeostasis, motivation and control systems, and development of regulatory systems);
  • limits to adaptation (stimulation, tolerance and coping, variation in adaptation);
  • stress and welfare (Selye's concept of stress and refinements to the concept, coping and fitness, definition of welfare and its assessment);
  • assessing welfare using short- and long-term biological responses;
  • assessing welfare using preference testing;
  • assessing welfare by studying cognitive skills;
  • ethical problems concerning welfare;
  • welfare issues in agriculture and the general community; and codes of practice for the welfare of livestock and welfare solutions.
Objectives: On completion of the course, students should have sound and broad understanding of the systems regulating body function and the behavioural and physiological responses utilised by animals in responding to environmental change. From this theoretical base, students should develop an appreciation of the scientific approaches available to assess animal welfare. Furthermore, students should understand the concepts of animal welfare and be aware of the main welfare issues confronting animals in modern livestock production systems.
Assessment:
  • A 3-hour examination, which may include essay and short-answer sections (50%, end of semester),
  • one written presentation (2000 words, 35%, due mid-semester)
  • and one oral presentation (15%, due last week of semester).
Prescribed Texts: D M Broom & A F Fraser Farm Animal Behaviour and Welfare. CAB International, 2007.
B L Hart, The Behaviour of Domestic Animals. W H Freeman & Co, 1985.
A Manning and M S Dawkins, An Introduction to Animal Behaviour. 4th edition, Cambridge University Press, 1993.
Breadth Options:

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

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.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of the subject the students should have developed the following generic skills: Academic excellence, greater in-depth understanding of scientific disciplines of animal behaviour and its application to the humane care and efficient management of farm and companion animals.

The student’s flexibility and level of transferable skills should be enhanced though improved time management and enhanced ability to communicate their ideas effectively in both written and verbal formats.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Animal Disease Biotechnology

Download PDF version.