SASK22002U Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Volume 2022/2023
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

 

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

Literature

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

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

Materials distributed during the course

Basic knowledge in biology, animal science or veterinary medicin, corresponding to bachelor university education 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
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 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
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