Outline

Overview

In Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science 3, behavioural theory and the behavioural and physiological responses of animals to stressors related to husbandry, housing, transport and slaughter are explored. This Unit enables students to develop an understanding of applied animal behaviour theory, and the responses of animals to common interventions that arise in the context of interacting with humans, including the domestication of livestock species and the management of wildlife. We introduce a framework for animal welfare assessment, and the principles of animal responses to stress are illustrated with production species as the main examples. An overview of the key behaviour and welfare considerations for performance and companion animals, and wildlife will be provided. Contemporary approaches to the scientific measurement of animal stress and welfare, based on an appropriate selection of scientific disciplines including ethology, psychology, physiology and neuroscience, are assessed with an emphasis on farmed livestock species. Genetic, environmental and evolutionary determinants of pain, stress and fear responses in animals are considered in the light of what is known about cognition and motivation in animals. Methods for assessing and enhancing animal environments and husbandry systems are examined and the impact on animal behaviour and welfare of stockmanship is explored in the context of human-animal interactions. Finally, the design and conduct of scientific experiments are assessed with a focus on animal ethics and current welfare issues.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	48cp of 1000-3000 level units including at least 6cp of (BIOL1XXX or AVBS100X)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sabrina Lomax, sabrina.lomax@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s)	Patricia Colusso, patricia.colusso@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s)	Sarah Mac, sarah.mac@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Ashley Ward, ashley.ward@sydney.edu.au
	Cameron Clark, cameron.clark@sydney.edu.au
	Luciano Gonzalez, luciano.gonzalez@sydney.edu.au
	Dominique Van der Saag, dominique.van.der.saag@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Alexandra Green, alexandra.green@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Tutorial quiz	Behaviour and welfare quiz Online quizzes to demonstrate understanding of animal behaviour and welfare	10%	Multiple weeks	15 min
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Tutorial and Practical reports written Various small written or oral tasks that demonstrate understanding	30%	Multiple weeks	Varies according to task
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Applied major assessment Research project conducted across semester	25%	Progressive	combine oral/written
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay on contemporary behaviour or welfare issue Written critical evaluation including references	25%	Week 06	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Bio-ethics assessment Applying animal welfare and ethics principles and frameworks	10%	Week 07	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Practical reports written

Various small weighted written and/or oral tasks throughout semester aligned with workshops and tutorials Applied major assessment

Applied major assessment

Group research project conducted across semester. Students will work in groups to evaluate a behaviour and or/welfare issue of a species of choice. The project will run across the semester and students will have the opportunity to receive feedback and small weighted marks as the project develops.

Quizzes

Online quizzes in-class to demonstrate understanding of animal behaviour and welfare

Bio-ethics tutorial quiz

Applying animal welfare and ethics principles and frameworks in an online quiz 10%

Final written examination

Students will have 48h to submit a written critical evaluation (on the given topic) must include evidence of research and appropriate referencing.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	demonstrate deep understanding of the subject area; critical evaluation of the subject is evident. Clear and concise written arguments; grammatically and structurally outstanding
Distinction	75 - 84	Demonstrated understanding of the subject area; some critical evaluation of the subjects; argmuments are well formuated but could include further interpretation. grammar and structure are good.
Credit	65 - 74	demonstrated understanding of the subject; limited critical evaluation; requires work in grammar and sentence structure.
Pass	50 - 64	surface understanding of subject area; lack of critical evaluation; requires editing to improve flow, sentence structure and grammar.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	lectures on the theory underpinning the science of animal behaviour and welfare, and their measurement and assessment.	Online class (36 hr)
	Tutorials on the measurement and assessment of animal welfare	Tutorial (18 hr)
	Workshops/online practicals evaluating and assessing animal behaviour and welfare	Workshop (9 hr)
	Online and self-directed practicals to apply learnings of animal behaviour and welfare in a real world context	Practical (9 hr)
	Self-directed visit to animal facility (could be laboratory, zoo, farm, aquarium) to collect data for final project.	Field trip (6 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Tutorials and Practicals are compulsory to attend. Students must pre-select the relevant practical and tutorial timeslots in the Timetable to avoid clashes.

Lectures will be recorded and made available on Canvas

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings provided on Canvas and the Library site

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Apply learnings to analyse the behaviour of wildlife, companion, performance and production animals
LO2. Measure and compare behavioural and physiological responses of animals to the challenges under different environmental, production or welfare contexts to provide a scientific assessment of animal behaviour and welfare
LO3. Critically evaluate the use of animals by humans from the perspectives of science and ethics to provide an informed opinion on the welfare of animals
LO4. Critically evaluate the impact of captivity, farming and/or housing systems in which animal behaviour is a limiting factor, and suggest solutions to overcome problems; for example, for farmed species, improve the efficiency of animal production through manipulating animal behaviour, or for captive ‘wild’ species, improve the diversity of behaviour under confinement situations
LO5. Collaborate with your peers to research and solve problems related to animal behaviour and welfare
LO6. Design research methodology to demonstrate understanding of the scientific process in the field of animal behaviour and welfare
LO7. Demonstrate skills in scientific writing and communication
LO8. Demonstrate skills in independent research and problem solving

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We have incorporated feedback from previous years: 1 - online classes only (also due to COVID) 2 - we have returned to face to face practicals, a component of which will be online and also in Camden 3 - staged feedback process with assessments. The major assessment has been updated to better align grades with work effort

Additional information

Always review the Canvas site for any updates. Schedule may change due to COVID restrictions.

Additional costs

students will be required to pay for entry to zoo or other animal facility they choose for their major assignment. we are arranging a discounted fee.

Site visit guidelines

Students must be vaccinated for Q fever to attend practicals at Camden. Fully enclosed work boots or gumboots must be worn on farm. Overalls or long sleeve shirt and pants are a requirement for entry, without this you will not be allowed to participate in practicals. COVID PPE requirements will be advised in advance of practicals.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ANSC3106: Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camden, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect