ADP-30306 Health, Welfare and Management

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures10
Problem-based learning24
Tutorial12
Self-study
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. NM Soede
Lecturer(s)dr. ir. B Beerda
dr. ir. H van den Brand
dr. MRN Bruijnis
dr. W Hazeleger
dr. ir. ATM van Knegsel
dr. A Lammers
drs. M Oostindjer
dr. ir. HK Parmentier
dr. ir. TB Rodenburg
prof. dr. EN Stassen
dr. ir. NM Soede

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Adaptation Physiology I, Behavior and Endocrinology

Continuation courses:

Adaptation Physiology II, Behavior and Environment

Contents:

Issues regarding animal health, animal husbandry and animal welfare are studied in a multidisciplinary approach. Emphasis is on the adaptive capacity of animals; e.g. what is adaptive capacity?; how do animals acquire adaptive capacity?; when do animals need adaptive capacity? Also the relevance of adaptive capacity is evaluated in practical settings.

Learning outcomes:

- be able to explain the concept and relevance of adaptive capacity for the functioning of an animal;
- be able to evaluate the influence of management conditions (social, nutritional, etc) on the physiological functioning (adaptive capacity) of animals;
- to interpret and present scientific research.

Activities:

The first weeks of the period lectures are given that deal with different aspects of Adaptive Capacity, such as: metabolism, nutrition, reproduction, immunology and behavior. In the subsequent weeks, these different aspects of adaptive capacity will be integrated, while focusing on multifactorial issues/problems that currently exist in animal husbandry, for example; piglet mortality, ascites in broilers, negative energy balance in cattle or feather pecking in chickens. In the last weeks of the course, small groups of students focus on a practical issue/problem themselves, resulting in a paper and a final presentation.

Examination:

A minimum grade of 5.5 is required to pass the course. The grade consists of a group grade for a written report (15%) and a presentation (15%) and an individual grade for the written exam consisting of open questions, which will take 3 hours. For this exam, a minimum grade of 5.0 is required.

Literature:

Hand-outs and scientific papers will be available during the course.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: MASAnimal SciencesMScD: Animal Health and Behaviour1MO