Unit information: Animal Behaviour 3 in 2011/12

Unit name	Animal Behaviour 3
Unit code	VETS33000
Credit points	40
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. Bradshaw
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Bristol Veterinary School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This unit develops the theme of animal learning introduced at Level1 by introducing theories of animal cognition and animal mind. Such 'higher level' processes are important in understanding how individuals of different species perceive the world, how they acquire and use knowledge,and the extent to which they are aware of themselves and their environment. The development of abnormal behaviours can be understood within this context. The processes of interaction between humans and animals are also introduced and developed in this unit. Developing an understanding of how and why human-animal relationships have arisen, and what effects they have on the people and animals involved, is central to developing a broader understanding of the behaviour and welfare of animals in a domestic setting. Behavioural therapy is a subject at the interface of veterinary and behavioural science. Owners of companions animals, including small animals and horses, increasingly require guidance in behavioural matters as they seek animals that are content, well behaved and where there is mutual benefit in the human animal interaction. These is increasing interest in the veterinary profession in this area, and new opportunities for specialism. There are also opportunities for non-verterinarians to contribute as consultants, and current discussions about the need for qualification and certification in this area. The unit will prepare students with the basic tools they need to conduct behavioural therapy consultations, in liaison with a veterinarian, and will provide a sound basis for future certification whatever the outcome of this debate.

The aims of this unit are:

1. To ensure a systematic understanding of all aspects of animal behaviour, including complex issues of cognition and consciousness, and the way in which learning and developmental processes influence the behavioural repertoire of an individual.
2. To ensure that students can apply the methods and techniques they have learnt to treat real animal behaviour problems, taking into account ethical, practical and communication issues.
3. To appreciate the role and limitations of pharmacology and pheromonotherapy in the modification of companion animal behaviour.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Understand the processes of domestication of companion animal species and apply this knowledge to the comparison of the behavioural repertoire of domesticated species and their ancestral species.
2. Understand the communicative and social behaviours of domestic species and how to apply these to both normal and abnormal behaviours.
3. Understand the theories underlying the process of associative learning and how these underpin phenomena such as blocking, overshadowing, discrimination and categorisation.
4. Know how the ability to learn may change at different life stages.
5. Have a working knowledge of animal cognition including social learning, spatial and temporal cognition, representation and language.
6. Read widely about theories of consciousness in humans, animals and artificial intelligence, and discuss the concept of consciousness and its relevance to animal welfare in depth.
7. Understand the role of behavioural therapy in professional, ethical and legal terms.
8. Apply understanding of ethological principles and learning theory to understand the development and treatment of behaviour problems in companion animals.
9. Develop communication and problem solving skills in the context of taking histories of behavioural cases and explaining treatment programmes to owners.
10. Know the principle action of major classes of drugs that affect mood and behaviour.
11. Run and evaluate the effectiveness of puppy socialisation classes and kitten information sessions.
12. Develop a working knowledge of training techniques regularly used in dogs and horses.

Assessment Information

Assessment of this unit is made up of a combination of unseen written examination (80% marks) and two pieces of assessed coursework (10% of marks for each).