SASK22002U Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare
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.
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.
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
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
Evaluation model: Survey-based model.
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 40
- Preparation
- 71
- Theory exercises
- 25
- E-Learning
- 20
- Project work
- 50
- Total
- 206
Self Service at KUnet
Open for credit transfer students and other external students. Apply here:
Credit transfer students:
Credit transfer student at SUND – University of Copenhagen
(ku.dk)
Other external students:
https://healthsciences.ku.dk/education/student-mobility/guest-students/
- 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
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- SASK22002U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 4
There are no lectures in Block week 8
- Schedule
- B
- Course capacity
- 60 students
Study board
- The Study Board for Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinators
- Björn Forkman (bjf@sund.ku.dk)
Lecturers
Björn Forkman, Iben Meyer and Peter Sandøe