Principles of Animal Nutrition

This course gives detailed information on function, metabolism, homeostasis, requirements, responses and sources of nutrients for animals. Laboratory practicals will involve principles of diet formulation and diet processing. The course is taught by several ‘in-house’ ANU-teachers, but also guest lecturers are invited. Lectures and practicals (both laboratory and experimental) will be part of the program. The course leaders aim to enhance a general understanding of the principles in animal nutrition.
Some of the course activities include working with living animals. Procedures and activities have been approved by National and local Ethical Committees (EC’s), prior to the start of this course. We regard the use of animals in research and teaching as a privilege, not a right. Animals are only used in teaching if, after considering alternatives, it is necessary for students to achieve their learning objectives. The EC’s ensure that all animals are treated humanely and not subjected to unnecessary or excessive pain, distress, or discomfort. During the activities, ethical considerations are discussed with students.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• Understand the value of data and concepts that are used in the analysis of feedstuffs
• Understand the presence of undesired constituents (level, mode of action, animal effects) in important feedstuffs
• Explain the principles of digestion and utilization by different nutritional characteristics of several animal species (cow, pig, fish, dog, horse, etc.)
• Explain the principles of protein and energy evaluation systems for feedstuffs
• Relate a feedstuff and its objective for use for a certain animal species

Mandatory Knowledge:
ZSS06100 Laboratory Safety