VET353 Animal Welfare

Credits (ECTS):9

Course responsible:Andrew Michael Janczak

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Course frequency:.

Nominal workload:The student is expected to dedicate an average of 37 ½ to 45 hours of work per week, including preparation, follow-up work, and exam study.

Teaching and exam period:.

About this course

Animal welfare is organized with teaching over several years. The first four years of teaching is divided into smaller modules. In applied parts of the teaching learning activities are integrated with clinical activity. Experimental animal science is organized as a separate module.

Learning outcome

Learning Outcome Descriptions for VET353

Knowledge

After completing the course in animal welfare, the student should be able to:

Explain key concepts in ethics, animal protection, animal welfare, ethology, and laboratory animal science.

Describe methods for assessing animal welfare in different situations.

Account for key animal ethics perspectives and their implications for the evaluation of animal welfare.

Explain health-related, physiological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors that influence animal welfare.

Identify welfare challenges in different animal species and describe how the environment, breeding, and human-animal relationships affect animal welfare.

Explain the principles and methods used in animal research.

Skills

After completing the course in animal welfare, the student should be able to:

Conduct examinations and apply relevant techniques for assessing animal welfare.

Evaluate and interpret animal welfare at both individual and group levels and describe the limitations of such assessments.

Apply subject knowledge in discussions and debates on animal welfare.

Handle and restrain animals safely and instruct others in proper handling techniques.

General Competence

After completing the course in animal welfare, the student should be able to:

Analyze and communicate different perspectives, methods, and interpretations within the field of animal welfare.

Reflect on the veterinarian’s roles and responsibilities in animal welfare cases.

Critically assess various sources of information and evaluate the relevance of available knowledge.

Discuss the relationship between ethics and animal welfare.

Communicate academic issues, analyses, and conclusions related to animal welfare in a professional manner.

Implement appropriate measures in cases of suspected disease, mistreatment, or violations of animal welfare regulations.

List of Day One Competencies

1.1 Act in a manner that demonstrates understanding of the ethical and legal frameworks within which veterinarians operate, including professional, animal welfare, client, public health, societal, and environmental aspects.

1.17 Handle and restrain animals safely, with respect for the animal, and be able to instruct others in assisting the veterinarian in performing these tasks.

1.21 Assess the physical condition, welfare, and nutritional status of an animal or a group of animals and advise owners on principles of animal husbandry, feeding, reproduction, production, welfare, individual health, herd health, and public health.

1.25 Recognize signs of potential notifiable and zoonotic diseases as well as animal abuse, and take appropriate actions, including notifying relevant authorities.

1.38 Provide advice on and implement programs for disease prevention and control suitable for the disease and species, in accordance with accepted standards for animal health, welfare, public health, and the environment.

Learning activities
Preparatory reading, independent and organised study groups and group discussions, as well as some lectures and tests.
Teaching support
Se reading list. A teacher will be available for questions during parts of the organised teaching sessions.
Syllabus
The teaching presupposes participants have read relevant chapters from the following books before each teaching session. The tests aim at evaluating learning outcomes that should be achieved by regular work with the material.
Main material
Compendium in animal welfare.
Supplementary material
Jensen, P. (Ed.), 2009. The Ethology of Domestic Animals An Introductory Text, 2nd Edition, CABI, Wallingford, UK. (should be purchased)
Michael C. Appleby, I. Anna Olsson, Francisco Galindo, 2018. Animal Welfare. ISBN 9781786390202 (should be purchased)
Styringsgruppen for Dyrevelferd - forsknings- og kunnskapsbehov, 2005. Forskningsbehov innen dyrevelferd i Norge. Rapport fra Styringsgruppen. Norges forskningsråd, Oslo NO. ISBN elektronisk utgave (pdf) 82-12-02157-2. www.forskningsradet.no/publikasjoner. (can be downloaded from the nett)
Prerequisites
You must pass the test or hold the presentation at the end of each module to participate in later activities.
Assessment method
Portfolio evaluation without a final exam.
About use of AI
Multiple-choice tests: K1 - No use of AI allowed.
Presentations based on group work: K2 - Specified use of AI. AI can be used for brainstorming within the group assignment. The use of AI must be documented with a brief explanation of which programs were used and how they were applied. The group is responsible for the final content.
Other activities: K3 - Full use of AI. The use of AI is permitted but must comply with the guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) at NMBU.
AI can be used as a valuable support tool for learning, particularly in preparing discussions and presentations for peers. It can assist in gathering information, defining concepts, and identifying perspectives to build a foundation for discussion. However, students must critically evaluate AI-generated content, supplement it with their own understanding and other relevant literature, and ensure that their reflections and contributions remain central. For presentations, AI can aid in structuring and providing supporting information, but the final content must reflect the student’s own comprehension of the topic.
Students are encouraged to use AI to explore questions about the subject matter that they might otherwise direct to a teacher, promoting self-guided learning. However, the use of AI must always be transparent. Students should clearly state how AI has been used, whether for preparing discussions, creating presentations, or exploring concepts.
AI cannot be used to generate answers when taking tests, as this undermines the purpose of assessments and the development of critical thinking skills. AI must be employed responsibly and ethically as a support for understanding, not a replacement for independent analysis or the student's own academic efforts.
Descriptions of AI-category codes.
Mandatory activity
TimeEdit specifies the total framework for organized teaching, both mandatory and voluntary. Participation in colloquium work, group work, and Canvas tests is mandatory. Attendance is recorded either through roll call or digitally, in accordance with procedures described in more detail in Canvas.
The result is given as pass/fail. The tests are time-limited and will be available for a defined period at the end of each module. If a student fails or is unable to attend, a new time and possibly an alternative form of assessment will be arranged.
Teaching hours
Information regarding the main activities is provided in TimeEdit - the scheduling system.
Preferential right
VET