Course overview

Our course offers you the opportunity to study these closely related fields in an exciting and dynamic environment, and to learn from teaching staff who are at the forefront of research in this rapidly advancing field.

Although based on our Animal Behaviour degree, this course also contains important elements concerning animal welfare and animal health, and considers how these issues affect both wild and domesticated animals.

The animal behaviour element deals with a fundamental aspect of the modern life sciences: how animals adapt their behaviour in order best to survive. An understanding of natural animal behaviour is also important in ensuring high welfare standards for farm and zoo animals.

Theoretical aspects will be covered in formal lectures and seminars while practical exercises will enable you to test these ideas by designing experiments, or by detailed field observations. The opportunity to take part in self-funded field trips to a range of locations will give you the chance to try out these skills in 'real life' situations.

When you graduate you will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the major concepts, principles and theories associated with animal behaviour and animal welfare
• display an awareness of the major developments within this field
• undertake field investigations in a responsible, safe and ethical manner.

This course presents an opportunity to study within an exciting and dynamic learning environment, close to the leading edge of this rapidly advancing field. It is also about providing you with a range of skills that are likely to be valued by potential employers in a variety of sectors.

Module guide

Assessment

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways. Most are a mix of written assessments, computer-based assessments and written examinations. Additional methods of assessment may include spoken presentations, posters, portfolios and workbooks. Generally, written examinations have a higher weighting in Year 3, but all modules include a coursework component.

Facilities

As well as good teaching facilities, our department is fortunate to be located in Cambridge. The city provides a wealth of opportunities for attending lectures and visiting museums and libraries. Cambridge is increasingly becoming a world centre for the theory and practice of wildlife conservation, with prestigious organisations like Fauna and Flora International, Birdlife International and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre being based in the city. The Cambridge Natural History Society (established 1857) holds its meeting at Anglia Ruskin. We are corporate members of The Cambridge Conservation Forum and the Tropical Biology Association. If you are interested in captive animal behaviour, you can benefit from the animal facilities available at College of West Anglia at Milton in Cambridge.

Study abroad options

Our department has exchange links with two North American universities. An exchange for one semester may be possible as part of your course. This does depend, however, on the availability of equivalent modules at the host university. There may also be issues of accreditation requirements.

Special features

Our Animal and Environmental Biology Programme. which hosts this course, lays a special emphasis on the importance of fieldwork. You are given the opportunity to attend a range of day trips (funded by the department) as well as a wide range of residential field courses in the UK and abroad (cost covered by students). Highlights of the optional trips available include Rum National Nature Reserve in Scotland, the Farne Islands in Northumberland, the Red Sea to learn to dive and to survey the biodiversity of its stunning coral reefs, one of Europe's only remaining 'primeval' forests at Bialowieza in Poland, and a safari field course in Africa. For animal behaviour students taking our Behaviour and Management of Zoo Animals module there is a study tour of four state-of-the-art Dutch zoos.

Work placements

There are no formal requirements for a work placement as part of the course. Nevertheless, the flexibility of the course allows you to take a break of a year to undertake a work placement, if you choose to do this.

Associated careers

Our course provides excellent general training as a scientist, enabling you to work in the field or in the laboratory for a wide range of organisations. Potential employers include: government agencies, environmental consultancies, wildlife conservation organisations, and educational and research establishments. Our course may also lead on to further postgraduate study and a research career.

Tariff points:	200
Entry requirements:	Required subject(s): GCE A-level Biology or related subject or Psychology (or equivalent qualification) GCSE(s) Required: 3 GCSEs at grade C including English and Maths

We welcome applications from International and EU students. Please select one of the links below for country-specific entry requirement information.

• International students
• EU students