208-324 Applied Animal Behaviour

This subject involves the use of animals. Students should be aware that this is an essential part of the course and exemption from this component is not possible.

202-103 Biology for Land and Food Resources or 650-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms

Domestic animals, such as farm, companion or laboratory animals, play a prominent and important role in society providing a range of benefits to humans including improvements in human health and welfare. A thorough understanding of animal behaviour is essential in the humane care and efficient management of these domestic animals. This subject describes and examines the behaviour of farm, companion and laboratory animals and highlights our understanding of the causation and function of behaviour.

Topics covered include:

• describing, recording and measuring behaviour; development of behaviour;

• stimuli and communication;

• motivation and decision making;

• learning and memory;

• genetic influences on behaviour;

• hormonal influences on behaviour;

• organisation of behaviour;

• social behaviour; sexual behaviour; and

• maternal behaviour and dam-neonate interactions; and behavioural problems.

The subject provides students with the opportunity to understand the behavioural requirements of domestic animals that are fundamental to their welfare and their ability to efficiently grow and reproduce and remain healthy. Such an understanding is a prerequisite for the efficient and humane management of domestic animals.

A 3-hour examination, which may include essay and short-answer sections (50%), one written presentation (2000 words, 35%) and one oral presentation (15%).

• A F Fraser and D M Broom, Farm Animal Behaviour and Welfare. CAB International, 1990.
• B L Hart, The Behaviour of Domestic Animals. W H Freeman & Co, 1985.
• A Manning and M S Dawkins, An Introduction to Animal Behaviour. 4th edition, Cambridge University Press, 1993.