Animal Science Foundation Degree

Animal Science Foundation Degree

Southern Staffordshire College
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Description

What will I do on the course?

The Foundation Degree in Animal Science with Behaviour is a two year full time programme of study validated by Staffordshire University but delivered at South Staffordshire College, Roadbaston Campus. There is also the opportunity to study part-time over a longer period of time. Units studied may include but will not be limited to the following;
  • Animal husbandry management
  • Animal health and welfare
  • Animal Nutrition
  • Principles of behaviour
  • Principles of ecology
  • Behavioural ecology
  • Research project
  • Work-based experience

Assessment:

Assessment will be through a variety of methods but mainly assignment work where you will be asked to research a subject and produc…

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Didn't find what you were looking for? See also: Animal Husbandry, Science, Software / System Engineering, English (FCE / CAE / CPE), and Teaching Skills.

What will I do on the course?

The Foundation Degree in Animal Science with Behaviour is a two year full time programme of study validated by Staffordshire University but delivered at South Staffordshire College, Roadbaston Campus. There is also the opportunity to study part-time over a longer period of time. Units studied may include but will not be limited to the following;
  • Animal husbandry management
  • Animal health and welfare
  • Animal Nutrition
  • Principles of behaviour
  • Principles of ecology
  • Behavioural ecology
  • Research project
  • Work-based experience

Assessment:

Assessment will be through a variety of methods but mainly assignment work where you will be asked to research a subject and produce appropriate evidence, this may be in the form of written work, a presentation, practical tasks, reflective diary or video.

What qualifications do I need?

The philosophy behind the Foundation Degree is broadening access to higher education. Consequently, the aim is to offer places to anyone capable of demonstrating the ability and commitment necessary to undertake the course. This will be assessed on an individual basis, but the normal entry requirements are as follows:
  • Three passes at GCSE Level (grades A, B or C) and one pass at GCE Advanced Level, or equivalent
  • A Level 2 qualification in Maths and English, e.g. GCSE Grade C or above, Key Skills Level 2 or Adult Numeracy Level 2, Adult Literacy Level 2.
Candidates who can evidence a satisfactory work experience portfolio would be favourably considered. If you do not have these qualifications but are over 21 years and have relevant work experience, then each applicant will be considered individually based on their qualifications, experience and suitable supporting statement.

What could I do after completing the course?

Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to undertake practical work in the Rodbaston Animal Zone, which is an established animal collection and small zoo. In addition you will undertake work experience within industry all of which will provide you with a range of essential skills vital in gaining employment after graduation. Progression from this course could be onto a top up year to gain a BSc Degree (to be developed with Staffordshire University), into work in zoos, animal charities, local government, education or perhaps your own business.

Employability

This course offers an excellent foundation for further study in the animal sciences and will allow you to progress into a third year should you wish to top-up your foundation degree to a full Bachelor's degree. However, if you wish to seek employment following your two years, the experience and knowledge gained on the degree will make you very attractive to potential employers. The course has been designed to offer you a range of experiences and challenges and to allow you to gain a large number of transferable skills to enable you to be a highly employable individual upon completion. Candidates that successfully complete this course will be suitable for employment in a large range of careers within the animal industry. The ability to interpret and investigate animal behaviour and give sound scientific advice will allow candidates to look for employment with organisations such as zoological gardens, aquaria and animal rescue centres. It will allow them to be employable in the armed forces or public services, both of whom work with a number of animal species. The ability to apply scientific method coupled with a firm knowledge base will make candidates attractive to the animal nutrition industry as well as organisations involved with animal pharmaceuticals. They may also wish to pursue careers with welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, Dogs Trust or PDSA. Other areas that may be attractive to successful candidates include, but are not limited to Natural England, The RSPB, DEFRA, WWF, Veterinary laboratories and Customs and Excise. Students that go on to top up their foundation degree to a Bachelor's degree may then wish to go into academic research or teaching via higher degrees such as a PGCE, Master's degree or a Doctorate.

Assessment

The assessment strategy for the foundation degree is designed to both develop and evaluate your knowledge and skills throughout the award. A variety of academically rigorous assessment tasks, activities and formats will be used to suit different learning styles. Over the duration of the course your abilities in 8 main areas will be assessed, namely; Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Enquiry, Analysis, Problem Solving, Communication, Application and Reflection. Assessments are designed to be interesting, relevant and contemporary, with the aim of enhancing personal and professional development, while also evaluating performance. Assessments match learning outcomes within each module and the overall pattern of assessment matches the overarching learning outcomes of the full award. Module assessments such as practical work, presentations, portfolios, essays, research projects, reports, and posters will require learners to demonstrate an in depth and increasingly critical understanding of key theoretical concepts of animal science and animal behaviour to prepare them for future study at honours level and above, or for employment in the industry. As with most level 4 and 5 awards, the foundation degree will also include a small number of formal examinations. The assessments are designed to both demonstrate an understanding of the subject area and also to develop and enhance relevant and transferable skills. As well as the formal individual assessments, there will also be opportunities for peer assessment, tutor observation and evaluation and critical appraisals of each other's work. Formative assessment and tutor assessment feedback provide an opportunity for on-going reflection on performance, helping learners understand how to improve their work, as well as offering them the opportunity to consider and discuss their own progress.

Teaching and Learning

The brand new Foundation degree in Animal Science with Animal Behaviour has been developed specifically to maximise the attractiveness of its candidates to employers within the sector. The course aims to allow you to develop a broad range of skills and knowledge about animal behaviour and its implications in animal husbandry, conservation and wildlife management. Throughout the course, the emphasis will be on how to use rigorous scientific method to investigate all aspects of animal science and to apply an evidence-based approach to making observations and evaluating their meaning. You will be encouraged to investigate and explore all aspects of animal anatomy and physiology and how animals have adapted to meet the pressures of survival. You will examine the behaviour of animals, both in captivity and the wild, and the wider implications and importance of understanding and unravelling their ethology. As well as the scientific method you will also be encouraged to explore the morals and ethics of human animal interactions within the industry and the wider community. You will investigate animal welfare, animal nutrition and animal breeding and how all of these have direct and indirect effects on animal behaviour. As well as the importance of strong subject knowledge, we recognise that practical skills and industry experience are highly prized by potential employers and therefore this course also offers an opportunity to develop your transferable skills and develop industry links during our animal management and industrial experience modules. These modules will be assessed using practical assessment methods and portfolio based assignments to ensure the skills you gain are genuinely transferable and useful in your future professions. The course content will be delivered using a variety of innovative and exciting teaching and learning methods. You will benefit from a range of guest speakers, subject specialist teaching staff with a large diversity of industry experience and several trips and visits to a number of relevant organisations, businesses and industries. During your second year you will have the opportunity to focus and apply your scientific skills to an individual research project that may be even be able to be linked to an overseas study tour. This ability to apply the scientific method to animal research and gain useful, evidence based insights into animal science and behaviour will be a vital and invaluable in all careers within the sector and beyond.

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