Newcastle University Visit Day 2014. Animal Science presentation

1. BSc Animal Science
June 2014

2. Welcome & Introduction
Jonathan Guy
– Degree Programme Director for BSc Animal Science
Jonathan.guy@newcastle.ac.uk
0191 208 6901

3. Overview of the subject talk
• Aim of the course
• Career prospects in animal science
• Structure and content of BSc Animal Science
• Research by students and staff
• Opportunities to develop your skills
(24 slides)

4. ‘Classification’ of Animal Science
• Science
– Chemistry
– Biology
• Plant Biology
• Animal Biology
– Zoology
– Agriculture
– Animal Science
•Engineering
» Health, Behaviour & Welfare
» Biochemistry & Nutrition
» Physiology & Reproduction
Animal
Science

5. A career working with animals

6. BSc Animal Science
• Detailed study of domestic animals
– Biological functioning and behaviour
– Relationship to food production, and
animals as pets, exhibits and in sport
• Career-focused course
– Flexible in choice of subjects
– Opportunities to develop additional
skills such as language or business

7. Career options in animal science
Health & welfare RSPCA, Vet. Sci., farm assurance
Animal science nutrition and breeding
Consultancy & sales animal health, food production
Professional accountancy, law, teaching
Research higher degrees e.g. MSc., PhD
2011-2012
- 50 % in work (50)
- 25% further study
- 25% other

8. Course content
• Compulsory and optional subjects (modules)
• Complete 120 credits per year
• 10 credit subjects: 100 hrs of study time
– Lectures 22 hrs
– Fieldwork 12 hrs
– Report writing 10 hrs
– Private study 56 hrs

9. Animal Science – 1st year
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Evolution
Business/Language
Physiology
Genetics
Behaviour
Data analysis
Link to actual modules on our web page
Subject to change, until May 2015

10. Stage 1 in Sept 2015
Common study & research skills module for all
Stage 1 students in AFRD
Farm to fork: interdisciplinary module reflecting
research strengths of the School
Improved introductory biological science modules
(Biochemistry/Physiology/Genetics/Business)

11. Animal Science – 2nd year
Application of scientific principles to husbandry
– Feed science & technology
– Molecular Genetics & Mammalian Biochemistry
– Equine studies
– Animal Breeding
– Non-ruminant livestock
Lectures, seminars, visits

12. Degree Structure: Year 3
Focus on higher learning
Latest scientific findings
Challenging current views
Student-led+ learning
Development of individuals
Communication & presentation
Conference organisation
Career-directed subjects

13. Research projects
Gut physiology and piglet health
Parasitic mites in free range hens
Environmental enrichment for dogs Hip dysplasia in the bullmastiff

14. Animal Science - Research
• Reproductive physiology
• Animal nutrition
• Animal welfare, health & behaviour
– Sustainable animal production
– Pain assessment

15. Facilities available at farms
University owned and commercially-run farms for
teaching, demonstration and research projects

16. The effect of shoes on the forelimb
gait kinematics of 8 unshod ponies
and its implications for performance
Frances Arksey 100637698

17. THE IMPACT OF LAMENESS ON MILK YIELD,
FERTILITY AND MASTITIS OF HIGH YIELDING
DAIRY COWS
Katherine Hall

18. RESULTS – CHANGE IN MILK YIELDS
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
-6
-8
-10
Change in Daily Milk Yield kg/day
Figure 3. Average change in daily yield from the month when
lameness occurred to the following month
Days in milk when lameness occurred
Never Lame
Lame
* Results for
never lame and
lame at some
point are
significant, in
that month
(P<0.05)
 Variable results
 Days 30-59, non-lame cows the yield has plateaued, whereas the lame
cows milk yield has already decreased by 3kg.

19. Sarah Awburn

20. Not Present (0) Moderately Present (1) Obviously Present (2)

21. 100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Fig 2. Graph to show the pain score that subjects gave
the photos taken at the various time points
before pre-med 1h after pre-med 6h after pre-med 3d post-op check
pain
no pain
Don't know

22. Application process - Candidate
• Check entry criteria
– A Levels: ABB-BBB; E.g. Biol, Chem, Maths (B GCSE)
– IB: 32-35 points; Biol HL-6, Chem HL, Maths (SL5)
– BTEC Level 3 Science-based subject - Animal Management,
Agriculture, with substantial Biol and Chem
overall at DDM grade, plus Maths (B GCSE) or
Key Skills Level 2 Application of Number
• Complete UCAS form
• Personal statement and Reference (academic)
• http://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/little-guide-2014.pdf

23. Application process - University
• UCAS Application arrives with Admissions Tutor
– Candidate meets entry criteria?
– Personal statement and Reference (academic)?
• Make decision Conditional or Unconditional
• Communicate via UCAS, email, letter
• Come and talk Post-application Open Days
1 and 22 March 2014
• Applicant decides C/F, U/F or Insurance
• Confirm place Results on 14 August 2014

24. Summary - BSc Animal Science
Flexible and challenging course
Covers all aspects of the animal’s life
Foundations in science
Application to a range of species
Career-focused learning
Developing individuals
Animal
Science

26. Can dummy teats reduce
stress in dairy calves?
Nafferton Farm
6 weeks over the summer
Poor welfare in any production
animal can have detrimental
effects on their health.
Stress is a major factor of poor
welfare.
My project found that providing
calves with dummy teats reduced
their stress levels

27. Timetable – 1st year
• 25-30 hrs lectures/practicals per week in 1st year

28. Timetable – 3rd year
12-15 hrs lectures/seminars per week in 3rd year