Introduction to Animal Sciences

The course introduces the field of animal sciences and stresses its diversity across three main axes: 1. disciplines and associated methods, 2. species and animal groups, and 3. levels of study. Disciplines include for example animal genetics, nutrition and ethology, as well as the role of animals in circular food systems and wildlife conservation. The course covers various vertebrate and invertebrate species including mammals, birds, fish and squids, as well as different groups of animals including farm, companion, laboratory and wild animals. The levels of study range from the cell, to an individual animal, to an entire eco- or food-system.
The course is divided into three focus areas: Focus area 1 - animal welfare in sustainable food systems; Focus area 2 - human and animal health in mutual interaction; and Focus area 3 - animals in biodiversity and ecosystems.

• Explain the basic principles of the major disciplines (covering the diversity & levels of study) in animal sciences

• Recognise how animal science disciplines contribute towards addressing societal goals (e.g. sustainability, curiosity driven research)

• Describe certain research methods used in animal sciences

• Search, identify, extract relevant scientific information to answer a research question

• Apply basic rules of scientific writing and poster making to answer

• Written test with closed questions (60%) 40-60 closed questions
• Assignment poster (40%)

• Scientific articles, lecture slides