SASK22002U Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Animal Science - restrictive elective

The course is primarily directed towards the MSc Programme in Animal Science and given as an restrictiveelective course.

Veterinary students on MSc-level with an individual study plan can take the course.

Students from other programmes, master of MSc such as Biology, Agro-biology, and Psychology may also take the course.

Content

The topics to be covered are:

  • The natural behaviour and biology of dogs and cats
  • Learning theory
  • Interpreting the behaviour and signals of dogs and cats
  • Common behavioural problems in dogs and cats
  • Ethics and legislation 

 

The main aim of the course is to give a good introduction to the behaviour and welfare of cats and dogs. 

Learning Outcome

The aim of the course is to give an introduction to the behaviour of cats and dogs. The course will enable the students to understand the basic principles of companion animal behaviour as well as give an understanding of the theories behind the methods for treating behavioural problems. 

 

When the course is finished the student is expected to:

Knowledge

- have an understanding for the theories on which the different models of behavioural modification are based. 

- be able to describe the most frequent as well as the most serious behavioural problems in cats and dogs.

- have knowledge of the relevant legislation of cats and dogs

- Be able to describe most common welfare problems

 

Skills

- Discriminate between normal and abnormal behaviour in cats and dogs

- Identify the relevant motivational system for a given behaviour in cats and dogs

- understand the behaviour and signals of cats and dog

- Identify welfare problems in cats and dogs

 

Competencies

- Use scientific principles to explain and evaluate different behavioural problems in cats and dogs

- Use learning theories to analyse behaviour problems

 

Literature

The Behavioural Biology of Dogs (2007). Per Jensen (ed.). CABI

The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior and Interactions with People 2nd Edition, 2017. James Serpell (ed.). CABI

The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat, 2nd ed. (2012). John W.S. Bradshaw, Rachel A. Casey, Sarah L. Brown (eds.) CABI

The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behaviour 3rd Edition, 2014. Dennis C. Turner, Patrick Bateson (eds.). CABI

Companion Animal Ethics (UFAW Animal Welfare) 1st Edition, 2016. Peter Sandøe, Sandra Corr, Clare Palmer (authors). Wiley Blackwell

All books can be accessed as e-books through the KU library.

Materials distributed during the course

 

Basic knowledge in biology, animal science or veterinary medicin, corresponding to bachelor university education.
Blended learning - web based with exercises, quizzes, lectures and discussions. Two physical meetings, one in the beginning of the course and one at the end of the course.

Evaluation model: Survey-based model.
The relevant students are Animal Science students, Biology students, Agro- biology students as well as Veterinary students
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 40
  • Preparation
  • 71
  • Theory exercises
  • 25
  • E-Learning
  • 20
  • Project work
  • 50
  • Total
  • 206
Written
Oral
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
On-site written exam, 4 hours under invigilation
Type of assessment details
Written examination, 4 hours under invigilation at KU- Examvenue.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
Re-exam

Type of assessment: Oral examination.

Type of assessment details: 30 minutes examination.

Preparation: None.

Invigilation: Yes.

Aid: None.

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the grade passed, the student should be able to:

Knowledge

- have an understanding for the theories on which the different models of behavioural modification are based. 

- be able to describe the mostt frequent as well as the most serious behavioural problems in cats and dogs.

- have knowledge of the relevant legislation of cats and dogs

 

Skills

- Discriminate between normal and abnormal behaviour in cats and dogs

- Identify the relevant motivational system for a given behaviour in cats and dogs

- understand the behaviour and signals of cats and dog

 

Competencies

- Use scientific principles to explain and evaluate different behavioural problems in cats and dogs