Page 40 - RVC Undergraduate Prospectus 2023-2024

RVET 3
R84 YEARS D390

INSTITUTION DURATION UCAS CODE
BSc Animal Biology, Behaviour,

Welfare and Ethics

D390

This course is also offered with a placement year.
Find out more about both courses here f www.rvc.ac.uk/bscabbwe
CAMPUS: Camden/Hawkshead

Are you interested in why animals behave the way they do? Would you enjoy using biology to
understand animal bodies and minds? Do you want to improve animal welfare in ways that really
work? Then this is the course for you. Animal welfare is at the heart of RVC’s mission, and it is a
growing, multi-disciplinary field of science. The BSc Animal Biology, Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics
course builds on our international reputation in this field.

COURSE OVERVIEW
The course builds on the scientific excellence of our BSc and more, as well as information about real-world animal welfare
Biological Sciences programme and specialist topics are taught scenarios. This evidence is used to inform legislation and ethical
by experts from our outstanding Animal Welfare Science and decision-making, so you will use logical frameworks and debate
Ethics group. to draw your own informed conclusions about what is ‘right’.
On this degree you will start with fundamental biology about During this programme, you will consider fundamental biological
how animal cells and bodies work, both when healthy and questions using a range of field and laboratory techniques.
during disease. As you specialise, you will increasingly use You will study welfare and behaviour across a range of species
science to understand animal behaviour and welfare, and learn including farm, companion, wild, laboratory and zoo animals.
how to use evidence to make your own ethical evaluations Part of the final year will be devoted to your own major research
about animal use in society.
project on animal behaviour or welfare, to be supervised by an
During the course, you will explore animal behaviour in terms expert on the subject and carried out either at the RVC or with
of its evolutionary history, the animal’s cognition and sensory one of our partners, such as at an animal-related establishment.
processes, and its genetic and environmental triggers. Animal To date our student projects have covered companion, farm, zoo,
welfare is about mental as well as physical health, so you will lab and sports animals. This experience builds upon a 6-week
learn techniques from neuroscience, psychology, physiology animal behaviour/welfare research project in the second year.

WORK PLACEMENTS AND RESEARCH PROJECTS
You will carry out investigative research projects on animal Please note that, if you opt for a year in industry, you will need to
behaviour, welfare or ethics topics in the second and third years find your own placement, but support and guidance will be given,
of the course, and have the opportunity to undertake an industry- as well as tutorial support throughout your placement year.
based placement after year 2 (BSc Animal Biology Behaviour Internal research projects will be conducted with supervision
Welfare and Ethics with Placement Year), see page 38-39 for from a specialist member of RVC academic staff. Some projects
more information. The industry-based placement involves an are located at RVC, whilst others take place at a relevant
additional year based at a relevant employer, such as a charity or establishment, such as a farm, zoo or animal sanctuary.
animal-related establishment, where you can focus on developing
work place skills and industry expertise that will sit alongside the
knowledge you gain throughout your course.
40 CRITICAL-THINKING • PROBLEM-SOLVING • SCIENCE-SHAPING