HFE314 Experimental Animal Nutrition and Physiology

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Angela Schwarm

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk, norsk

Limits of class size:30

Course frequency:Every year

Nominal workload:250 hours

Teaching and exam period:Spring

About this course

In-depth course focusing on nutrition and physiology in various animal species (e.g. carnivores, ruminants, pigs, fish, horses, wildlife). The course will provide students with the theoretical background and hands-on experience for understanding the different experimental techniques used to study animal nutrition and physiology. The course will include a mix of lectures given by teachers, demonstrations with hands-on experience, theoretical exercises as well as student presentations. The start of the course will focus on laboratory animal science to give the students the required qualifications to take part in animal experiments.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: After the course, the students will have an in-depth knowledge on animal nutrition and physiology in various species. Students will also gain knowledge about the possibilities and limitations with different experimental techniques used in animal nutrition and physiology research.

Skills: The students will have the skills to redefine existing knowledge and they will be able to evaluate possibilities, limitations and consequences when studying animal nutrition and physiology.

Competence: The students will have competence so that they can plan, conduct, evaluate and interpret results from animal nutrition and physiology experiments. Hence, they will be able to solve real-life problems related to nutrition and physiology of animals. The students will be able to implement knowledge into practice and innovation.

Learning activities
The course will be divided into a number of topics concerning different techniques (blood sampling, digestibility, passage rate, indirect calorimetry, stable isotopes, microbiota, methane emission, feedstuff analysis, in-vitro methods) and using different model animals (carnivores, ruminants, pigs, fish, horses, wildlife). The topics will change from year to year depending ongoing research or relevant activities. Each topic includes lectures given by teachers, demonstrations with hands-on experience of techniques, theoretical exercises as well as student presentations.
Prerequisites
HFX201 Physiology, HFE200 General Nutrition, or equivalent
Recommended prerequisites
Bachelor in animal science, biology, veterinary science or equivalent
Assessment method
Final exam: Oral (A-F)

Oral exam Grading: Letter grades
Examiner scheme
An examiner is used for the oral examination.
Mandatory activity
Submission of group reports from each topic and 80% participation in hands-on demonstrations
Teaching hours
Lectures: 25, demonstrations: 25h, exercises: 25h, presentations 25h, reports: 75h, self-study: 75h
Preferential right
Master animal science