Introduction to Animal Sciences

The course introduces the field of animal sciences and highlights the diversity of animal sciences across three main axes: 1. disciplines and associated methods, 2. species and animal groups, and 3. levels of study. Disciplines include for example animal genetics, nutrition and ethology, as well as the role of animals in circular food systems and wildlife conservation. Methods of investigation include for example techniques to study animal behaviour and welfare or techniques to identify various immune cells in blood. The course covers various vertebrate and invertebrate species including mammals, birds, fish and squids, as well as different groups of animals including farm, companion, laboratory and wild animals. The levels of study range from the cell, to an individual animal, to an entire eco- or food-system. The course is divided into three focus areas: 1 - animal behaviour and ecology; 2 - animal production and sustainability; 3 - animal health.

• Explain the basic principles of the major disciplines (covering the diversity & levels of study) in animal sciences

• Recognise how animal science disciplines contribute to addressing societal goals (e.g. sustainability, curiosity driven research)

• Describe certain research methods used in animal sciences

• Search, identify, extract relevant scientific information to answer a research question

• Apply basic rules of scientific writing and poster making to answer

• ? (60%) 40-60 closed questions.
• ? (40%) This work is done in groups of 4 students. In case of a failed poster, the team of students can re-submit a new version at the same time as the re-exam in February.

High school knowledge on biology.

• Provided during the course.