Bachelor of Animal Science

Year

View in 2021+ Handbook

Course Overview
Further Information
Course Rules & Plans
Course Outcomes

Why study the Bachelor of Animal Science at UNE?

This course is designed for those interested in our relationship with and management of animals in a rapidly changing world. The course has three specialist majors focussing on: (1) livestock production; (2) wildlife management; and (3) horses and dogs.

Students will study the basic sciences and applied biological sciences before undertaking specialist units. The course also develops practical skills.

The Livestock Production major has streams enabling specialisation in sheep and wool science, animal health and nutrition, animal genetics, intensive animal production and consulting and advisory services.

The Canine and Equine major is suited to students with interests in companion animals. Students will learn the fundamentals of animal nutrition, physiology, genetics and human-animal interactions before specialising in their chosen fields. Students in this major will be well placed for a career in the petfood industry, detector dog agencies, canine control and the equine and racehorse industries.

The Wildlife Management major is designed for students seeking a career in the management and conservation of wildlife or management of feral animals, ecological basis for the stable, threatened and nuisance status of animal species together with theoretical and practical skills in animal nutrition, reproduction, genetics breeding, health and welfare are covered.

The program includes four units of equine related study from the University of Queensland which is completed from UNE on a cross-institutional basis.

The degree may be awarded with Honours. The Honours level is based on grades achieved in the final year of the degree including RUSC490. Bachelor of Animal Science with Honours graduates who achieve the appropriate level of Honours are eligible to apply for a research Master degree or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

4 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2016 ATAR / OP

77.10 / 11

2017 STUDY OPTIONS

Armidale

Trimester 1, Off Campus
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Off Campus
Trimester 2, On Campus
Trimester 3, Off Campus

Official Abbreviation

BAnimSc

Course Type

Undergraduate

CRICOS Code

072403G

Commencing

Location	Admission Period	Mode of Study
Armidale	Trimester 1	Off Campus
Armidale	Trimester 1	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 2	Off Campus
Armidale	Trimester 2	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 3	Off Campus

Course Duration

4 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

2016 ATAR

77.10

2016 OP

Fees

CSP / International

Total Credit Points

192

Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures).

Applicants must meet the University's English language requirements.

Assumed knowledge is Mathematics.

Recommended studies: Biology and/or Chemistry.

For students without the recommended background knowledge, the School offers introductory units in Chemistry and Mathematics.

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements: Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Practical, Clinical or Work Experience

12 weeks practical industry work experience during vacation periods is essential to the course requirements. For further information refer to the School of Environmental and Rural Science Practical Experience webpage.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Advanced standing will not be granted for unit RUSC490.

Academic Colours

Reseda (BCC 77)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Bachelor of Animal Science in 2017.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and the Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures).

Applicants must meet the University's English Language Requirements for Admission Rule.

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements

Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Advanced standing will not be granted for unit RUSC490.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) four years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to ten years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

(a) To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 192 credit points with not more than 60 credit points at 100-level, at least 72 credit points at 300- or 400-level including not more than 24 credit points at 400-level.

(b) To qualify for the award with Honours a candidate must pass units to the value of 192 credit points with not more than 60 credit points at 100-level, at least 36 credit points at 300-level, at least 36 credit points at 400-level including RUSC490 and a maximum of 12 credit points at 500-level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

Course Structure	Credit Points
Core Units	84 cps
Practical Experience: 12 weeks	-
One Major	96 cps
Honours Or Elective Units	0-12 cps
Total	192 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Canine and Equine Science
Livestock Production
Wildlife Management

Award of Degree

(a) Candidates who meet the course requirements including one major shall be awarded the Bachelor of Animal Science.

Award of Honours

(b) Students may be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Animal Science with Honours on the basis of an academic record in the fourth year of candidature deemed by the School to be of sufficient merit and have completed the unit RUSC490.

There will be two levels of Honours: First Class Honours and Second Class Honours. Second Class Honours will have two divisions: Division 1 and Division 2.

An exceptionally distinguished student who has been awarded First Class Honours may be awarded a University Medal.

Calculation of Honours Result

The formula for determining Honours in Rural Science will be determined using a weighted score of final year performance.
50% of the score will be determined by the grade for RUSC490.
50% of the score will be determined by the weighted average of up to 6 units undertaken at 300-level or above including at least one 400-level unit.

Submission of Thesis

Honours students are required to submit two soft-bound copies of their thesis and a CD-ROM containing all data and a pdf of the thesis to the Unit Coordinator or to the Administrative Assistant in Agronomy and Soil Science.

Examination of Thesis

The thesis will be assessed by two examiners and 80% of the final mark will be on the basis of the thesis, with 20% based on a seminar undertaken at the end of the trimester and assessed by both peers and academics in a public forum.

The thesis will be assessed on the basis of the criteria outlined in the Honours Handbook.

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to teach students the principles behind the production and management of animals. The majors specialise in either domesticated, companion or wild animals.

The Bachelor of Animal Science with Honours degree aims to produce graduates with the skills listed above, as well as having knowledge of research principles and mentods and the ability to plan and conduct an independent research project.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

BAnimSc: demonstrate a coherent understanding of animal science by articulating the methods of animal science and explaining why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry and by explaining the role and relevance of animal science in society;
exhibit depth and breadth of knowledge of animal science by demonstrating well-developed knowledge in at least one disciplinary area and by demonstrating knowledge in at least one other disciplinary area;
critically analyse and solve problems in animal science by gathering, synthesising and critically evaluating information from a range of sources, designing and planning an investigation, selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation and collecting, accurately recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from data;
be effective communicators of animal science by communicating scientific results, information, or arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes, and using a variety of modes; and
be accountable for their own learning and scientific work by being independent and self-directed learners, working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context and demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to their disciplinary area and personally practising ethical conduct.
BAnimSc with Honours: conceive, plan and implement an independent programme of research; and
produce a written dissertation that demonstrates original thinking, a high level of research skills and the ability to write critically.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline

Students will develop a strong scientific understanding of practical and theoretical aspects of animal science and management, and a well-developed capacity for analysis. They will obtain knowledge from lectures, reading materials and by direct experience in practicals and field excursions. Students will be expected to know key terms and concepts to the extent that they can demonstrate and apply them in assessments. Knowledge will be assessed in examinations for some units, and in online tests, practical tasks, oral presentations, essays and reports. For students completing the degree with Honours, knowledge will be assessed through a literature review and examination of thesis based on an independent research project. Animal science systems are part of the biosphere, the global perspective is drawn upon in all areas involved with understanding, applying and evaluating information related to animal sciences. Knowledge is built upon from information gathered from animal science systems throughout the world. Thus teaching will draw upon case studies and examples from a range of countries. Students develop the global context of the discipline and its ability to minimise or solve problems. Interaction with students from all over Australia and overseas will assist in developing students' understanding of global issues.

Communication Skills

Students are taught and assessed on a range of different communication types appropriate to science graduates. There is emphasis on the ability to provide clear and accurate descriptions of issues relating to animal science; on writing reports of technical and scientific investigations; and on presenting critical reviews of knowledge. Within the core and prescribed units communication tasks address a range of different audiences and use oral, written and electronic presentation. Students completing the degree with Honours will be required to complete a well-organised, logical and clearly written research thesis.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is taught in the scientific context of researching the background to a problem, formulating one or more hypotheses in animal science to be tested, and drawing conclusions from the results of those tests. Many practical assignments are based around this approach. Problem solving skills are also developed in field and laboratory settings where students decide the best approach to performing tasks. This will prepare students for dealing with and solving real-world problems that arise in animal science and management. For students completing the degree with Honours, conducting an independent research project will require students to develop and answer critical research questions.

Information Literacy

Students will be taught how to access the literature (especially online resources), how to evaluate the robustness of literature sources (discrimination skills) and how to critique available information. Students will then practise these skills through the generation of reports, and oral presentations in relation to animal science. Students completing the degree with Honours will be expected to demonstrate high-level research capacity in the production of a research thesis.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

Students are taught ethical practices in relation to the discipline, including respecting intellectual property rights, ethical behaviour in fieldwork and assessment tasks, and honesty and trust as the basis of the cooperative endeavour of science. Students will be encouraged to act ethically and be socially responsible. These are underlying principles of the discipline of animal science which enable the production of food and fibre at the same time as protecting the environment. Legal obligations and responsibility will also be integrated into the teaching content.

Lifelong Learning

Students gain confidence in their ability to search for and find sources of information relevant to the discipline. Students will develop the ability to identify, evaluate and implement personal learning strategies and/or study skills in pursuit of ongoing personal and professional development.

Independence and Collaboration

Students are encouraged and taught to develop independence of thought and action. Teamwork is used in classes at all levels, especially in practical work in the field and laboratory. Students develop the skills to work cooperatively to define and achieve common goals, to take initiative and to assume responsibility for tasks. Students will learn in a professional forum to discuss, calmly and rationally, ideas and concepts, sometimes controversial and sometimes from different points of view. This, in addition to the ability to use the language of the discipline in reasoned argument, is one of the aims of online discussions.