FdSc Animal Behaviour, Welfare & Conservation (with Foundation Year)

What you will study

YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)

The Foundation Year is an integrated year where you will study core modules with a broad range of students from across the Faculty of Social and Life Sciences, giving you access to different perspectives and networking opportunities.   

The modules will equip you with key skills needed for Higher Education and beyond. They will give you the chance to explore your subject area and available careers, allowing you to adapt your reading and assessments to be relevant to your degree pathway.  

Alongside teaching from the broader faculty staff, you will be able to meet with staff and other students from your main degree pathway and get involved with events and opportunities that they are running.  

• Study Skills for Success (core) will give you a solid foundation in academic conventions and time management skills to help you to progress through your degree.  
• Resilience in Higher Education and Beyond (Core) Personal development and resilience are as important as academic skills in the accomplishment on your journey towards graduation, and this exciting new module will equip you with the attributes needed for this. 
• A Day in the Life (core) This module allows you to explore the potential career options open to you on completion of you chosen degree. You will be exploring the professions linked to your degree and start preparing your graduate portfolio for employers.  
• Life and Work in the Welsh Context (core) will give you the opportunity to explore your subject area and/or desired career in relation to living and working in today’s Wales. 

The suite of optional modules are designed to enhance your skills base in relation to your career development. Your personal tutor from your degree will meet with you to help you decide which one of the available optional modules would be most suitable for you.  The optional modules are:   

• Welsh for First Time Learners provides an introduction to the Welsh language for those taking their first steps Numeracy where your degree requires a competent level of numeracy, you may be advised to choose this option. 
• Professional Communication in the Workplace in this module, you will begin to develop the skills and aptitude necessary to communicate effectively in a professional context. 
• Maths and Experimental Design if your degree pathway requires an understanding of numeracy and sciences, then this module is designed to provide the opportunity to achieve that. 

There are a variety of assessments across the foundation year – presentations, portfolios, electronic scrapbooking, and learning logs are just some. 

YEAR 2 (Level 4)

In this year, you will be introduced to key concepts in animal behaviour, welfare, and conservation which will form the foundation for your entire course. You will gain knowledge and practical experience in animal husbandry. Additionally, you will participate in a work experience placement to become familiar with the animal sector and acquire the practical skills necessary for your chosen career.

MODULES

Professional and Academic Development: This module aims to equip you with a range of skills and attributes in preparation to work in their chosen sector whilst following professional codes of practice. The module will also develop a range of skills required for academic studies, which will be used and extended upon throughout the programme. 

Professional Practice 1: This module will enable you to apply and integrate professional skills, knowledge and behaviours gained from the programme into a real-life workplace setting. This module will enable you to further develop the University skills framework and develop and reflect upon the key employability skills required for the sector.

Introduction to Ecology: This module aims to introduce you to the relationship between organisms and the environment around them. Key ecological definitions will be explained, and students will understand the variety of complex biotic and abiotic interactions that influence the abundance and distribution of organisms.

Contemporary Animal Management: This module aims to equip you with knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles of animal management and contemporary ethical practice.  You will apply theory to Practice and develop the qualities and skills, and personal responsibility necessary for employment in industry.  

Ethics and Welfare: This module delves into current themes and challenges in animal welfare, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of various ethical considerations. You will explore and evaluate a range of modern ethical and welfare issues. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to select a topic that aligns with their personal interests, allowing for a tailored and engaging learning experience.

Human-Animal Interaction: This module introduces you to the many facets of Human-Animal Interaction and the wide ranging roles of animals in society across time and cultures. You will examine different types of interactions and relationships between humans and animals and identify the costs and benefits to both species.

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 5)

In this year you will build upon knowledge gained in your first year and develop your understanding of a variety of topics in more detail. You will learn about anatomy and physiology, survey skills for conservation, learning and training. In addition, the second work placement module will allow you to gain further hands on experience in the workplace.

MODULES

Professional Practice 2: This module will enable you to build upon the professional skills, knowledge and behaviours gained from the programme and previous professional practice module at level 4. Deeper reflection with be undertaken through the Professional Behavioural Evaluation Assessment.  You will focus on your career goals and the skills, attributes and professional behaviour needed to gain employment.  

Health and Disease: This module continues to extend and develop our students’ knowledge and understanding of animal health and disease from their anatomy and physiology module. The disease process will be examined and the physiological status which affects the normal parameters. This module will examine the different pathogens and how they manifest into disease states. An introduction to immunology will provide you with the understanding on how Animal physiology can help to fight disease. The role of immunisation and vaccination protocols will also be included in this module.

Animal Anatomy and Physiology: This module will develop the your knowledge and understanding of animal anatomy and physiology at both a systems and cellular level. This module will cover a range of animal species.  

Climate Change and Conservation: This module aims to introduce you to natural and anthropogenic changes in the climate and the science of current climate change. You will be able to identify how climate change will affect biomes, habitats and species worldwide and learn how global efforts to combat climate change are being implemented.

Learning and Training: This module will equip you with the underpinning knowledge of learning theory and its use effects and application to practical training. This can be utilised to develop and implement training and handling techniques in the workplace which are effective and ethically sound.

Survey Skills for Conservation: This module aims to develop your identification skills through engaging with practical ecological surveys in the field and online database searches. You will be involved in data collection, analysis, and interpretation and understand how to write an ecological report using current mapping software to display data.  

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Entry requirements & applying

UCAS code: 85D4

Applications are welcomed from candidates who do not possess the standard qualifications but who can demonstrate their capacity to pursue the course successfully.

Entrance for these candidates is dependent on an assessment of past experience, a successful interview, references and diagnostic assessment to determine suitability for the course. Enthusiasm and commitment are essential.

Teaching & Assessment

The course comprises a range of modules that are assessed by theoretical and in some cases practical coursework. Types of assessment include, portfolios, posters, laboratory reports, essays, presentations, seminars, practical exams, written exams and reflective diaries.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

This programme includes a variety of learning and teaching methods in the class, practical settings and sessions delivered within the workplace. These include:

• Lectures and demonstrations
• Seminars and workshops
• Tutorials
• Group and project work
• Reflective reports
• External speakers
• Educational visits and study days
• Tutor and students led sessions
• Critical appraisal
• Portfolio development
• Work placements

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Career prospects

The animal care industry is now worth £1 billion to the UK economy with 13,000 businesses and numerous animal charities, zoos, conservation organisations, wildlife parks and animal visitor attractions.

Career opportunities in the animal care industry are wide-ranging. You could be working in animal welfare organisations, conservation, zoos and wildlife parks, veterinary practices, animal feed companies and veterinary or pharmaceutical companies.

Further study opportunities are also available, such as progression to teaching qualifications or postgraduate level research.

Our Careers and Employability service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.

Programme specification

View the full programme specification here.

Accommodation

If you’re looking for a place to stay while you study then take a look at our accommodation pages to get more information on your options, including our on-campus halls of residence Wrexham Village.