Animal husbandry and animal welfare
Course description
The aim of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the subjects of domestic animal environment and health, nutrition, animal welfare, animal protection, animal ethics, and constitutional law.
Entry Requirements
20 credits Veterinary Medicine
Course facts
VM0138, Animal husbandry and animal welfare, 9.0 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Finalized by: PN-VH, 2024-04-23
Valid from : Autumn semester 2025 (2025-09-01)
Level
First cycle (G1F)
Main field of study
Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science
Grading Scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Course language
Swedish
Entry Requirements
20 credits Veterinary Medicine
Objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the subjects of domestic animal environment and health, nutrition, animal welfare, animal protection, animal ethics, and constitutional law.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to
- describe the most common forms of animal husbandry, particularly for farm animals and horses, and describe how different animal environment and care factors affect health, behaviour, welfare, production, and performance, as well as how various animal health and animal protection problems can be prevented through good housing, care, and nutrition
- describe the factors that determine the nutritional needs of different animal species, the principles for evaluating the energy and nutritional value of feed, and sustainability perspectives on feeding,
- explain what the concepts of animal protection and animal welfare encompass and describe how animal welfare relates to factors such as animal health, physiology, performance, production, behaviour, and the relationship between animals and humans, as well as various sustainability perspectives,
- describe how animal welfare can be assessed and how good animal welfare can be promoted in farm animals, horses, companion animals, and other animal categories,
- provide a general description of the legal system and legislative processes in Sweden and the EU, describe current animal welfare legislation and how it is applied, and explain how animal welfare inspections are conducted in Sweden,
- describe the statutes governing veterinary practice and write a veterinary certificate/statement in accordance with these,
- describe the purpose of ethical reflection and the various basic components of ethics, and present a factual ethical argument,
- apply ethical concepts and the central normative animal ethics theories in a nuanced analysis and discussion of common situations in the veterinary profession.
Content
Subject-related content
The course addresses how housing, feeding, and various animal environmental factors affect the health, behaviour, welfare, and production/performance of our domestic animals, especially farm animals and horses. In the area of domestic animal environment and health, various forms of housing and environmental factors are discussed, such as air quality, temperature, and comfort. Nutrition covers the nutritional needs of animals and different types of feed.
Basic terminology in animal welfare, animal protection, and ethics is described, as well as how these subjects relate to each other.
The course highlights animal health and animal protection issues in animal husbandry and animal handling at the individual and herd level, preventive animal health work, how welfare can be assessed, and research aimed at improving animal welfare in different animal species in practice.
The legal frameworks in Sweden and the EU are discussed, including the structure of legislation and legislative processes.
The background, content, and application of animal protection legislation for different animal categories and activities are addressed. Students gain an insight into how animal welfare inspections are conducted in Sweden. Other legislation relating to the professional activities of veterinarians is described.
Various ethical concepts and theories are reviewed to contribute to a nuanced understanding of different perspectives on human responsibility for animals and animal use, as well as the role of animals in society and our relationships with animals. Normative ethics is covered through lectures, and students practise objective argumentation in order to formulate well-founded positions for or against specific standpoints in animal ethics.
Lectures and exercises highlight, explain, and discuss various concepts and contexts within the different subject areas.
One week of the course is held in Skara, where different animal environments for farm animals and horses are demonstrated and discussed during several study visits. Students are trained in basic infection control during the study visits. The course also includes group exercises in drawing review and basic feed ration calculation.
The professional development module includes follow-up of the individual agricultural internship that students completed during their first year.
Teaching formats
The course uses various teaching methods to promote student learning and discussion through lectures, various types of exercises, presentations of completed individual agricultural internships, study visits, and training in writing certificates.
Sustainability
The course emphasizes that preventive work in animal health and welfare, as well as feed selection and feeding, are of utmost importance for sustainable animal husbandry from ethical, veterinary, biological, and socioeconomic perspectives. Students are trained to identify problems and take the necessary measures based on society's requirements for good animal protection. This is done with consideration for public and animal health, economic, environmental, and ethical aspects, as well as global sustainability goals. The concept of One Welfare is introduced, and the connection between the welfare of animals, humans, and the environment is clarified. The connection between violence against animals and violence in close relationships is highlighted.
The course focuses on the following general competencies:
Communication skills, collaboration skills, written and oral presentation, and the importance of independence and integrity when issuing certificates.
The following components are compulsory:
Follow-up of individual animal husbandry practice, study visits, group discussions, and exercises.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
Approved oral and written reports on individual agricultural practice. Passing written or oral examinations and approved participation in compulsory components.
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare
Supplementary information
Included in program
- Veterinärprogrammet
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Animal environment and health | 3.0 | 0001 |
| Nutrition | 2.5 | 0002 |
| Animal welfare, animal ethics and legislation | 3.0 | 0003 |
| Professional development - farm internship | 0.5 | 0004 |
The Course Replaces
Parts of VM0111, VM0118 and VM0122
Other Information
Students are expected to bring their own boots and overalls for the practical parts of the course. During the course, a study trip to Skara will be arranged, which includes visits to farms and slaughterhouses. Students will pay a fee of approximately SEK 1,500 for this study trip, which covers part of the food, accommodation, and travel costs.
Students are expected to have acquired knowledge of ethology and digestion, including digestive physiology, from previous parts of the program.