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How and why
do animals behave as they do? Animal behaviourists use rigorous, scientific
methods to answer such questions. The scientific study of animal
behaviour provides amazing insights into the ways in which animals survive and
reproduce within their dynamic environment is essential for the successful
conservation and management of rare and endangered species; and is key to
improving the welfare of captive and domestic animals. This variant of our Animal
Behaviour scheme includes an integrated year in industry between the second and
fourth years of study. A year of work experience will greatly enhance your employment
prospects, and provide a head start to your career in Animal Behaviour!
Student Satisfaction and Employability Results
95% of students agreed that staff are good at explaining things (NSS 2020).
98% of our graduates were in work or further study within 6 months, 3% more than Biological Science graduates nationally, (HESA 2018*)
Overview
Why study BSc Animal Science at Aberystwyth University?
You will be taught and mentored by enthusiastic teaching staff that conduct research across the spectrum of animal species and behavioural responses.
All students will have access to fantastic laboratories & equipment, including radio-tracking equipment, nest boxes, laboratories & aquaria, plus a historic specimen collection. Amazing local habitats including coastlines, estuaries, woodlands, and hills, allowing access to species such as red kites, chough, grey seals, bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises. And if you still have more appetite for field work, you can take the residential field course in animal behaviour too.
Undertake an integrated year in industry that is assessed and will count towards your final degree classification. Note that students must organise their work experience under the guidance of our Director for Employability and that it must be relevant to Animal Behaviour. If students cannot secure a placement they are required to transfer to BSc Animal Behaviour C120.
Although work experience may not be paid. Students will pay a discounted fee during your year in industry. Full details available here.
Our Staff
The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry. The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.
Modules
Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.
* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh
Employability
What professions do our students go into?
Many of our students go on to postgraduate study at Masters or PhD level, aiming for careers in pure or applied science, or science communication. Others have gone on to careers as scientific animal technicians and medical laboratory assistants. During their studies, many of our students have volunteered for conservation projects such as the Pine Martin Recovery Project and Iberian Lynx captive breeding program, or for organisations such as the RSPB.
Your year in industry:
Make no mistake, you will develop confidence and gaining experience in the industry will stimulate your enthusiasm for the subject.
Completing a year in industry will allow you to:
apply the learning from your course to the work environment;
make industry contacts;
develop practical skills related to your area of study;
apply your practical skills and technical knowledge after returning to study;
enhance your CV and better prepare yourself for a job after graduating.
Students on this scheme should note that the department institute does not have automatic placements for every applicant. You will be responsible for finding securing the work experience, however, you will have the assistance of our institute Work Experience Coordinator and our dedicated careers advisor (James Cuffe, jpc11@aber.ac.uk). If you fail to find work experience you will be able to convert your course to the three-year version of your subject.
Learning & Teaching
The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four-year degree scheme.
Your first year will provide a broad grounding in biology, and training in the skills needed to succeed in your studies. Subject areas will include:
The evolution and diversity of life
Animal physiology
Diagnosis and control of animal diseases
Wildlife forensics
Study and communication skills, and many others.
In your second year you will undertake specialist modules in animal behaviour, and gain essential scientific skills. Subject areas will include:
Ethology, the scientific study of animal behaviour
Modern zoo science
Veterinary health
Quantitative and qualitative procedures for data analysis
Good research design and planning
In your third year you will undertake your work experience in an industry that is relevant to the field of Animal Behaviour.
In your final year, subject areas will include:
The behaviour and welfare of domesticated animals
The physiological mechanisms behind animal behaviour
A compulsory dissertation research project
Optional modules chosen from a selection including Wildlife Conservation, Behavioural Neurobiology, and two residential field courses. Students on this degree currently have the option to study the Animal Behaviour Field Course in the UK, and the Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Conservation Field Course in Borneo.
Further information:
Synthesize information from scientific literature
Understand and explain the implications of developments in subjects such as parasitology
Scrutinise data in terms of quality and quantity
Respond to new data through laboratory investigation
Develop your practical skills in animal handling which augment your theoretical knowledge
How will I be taught?
Your course will be delivered through lectures, workshops, tutorials and practicals.
You will receive training in concepts, research and methodology relating to science of animal behaviour. This will be undertaken by laboratory research and experimentation, as well as hands on exercises.