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Course module: BMB503905
BMB503905
Ethology and Welfare
Course info
Course codeBMB503905
EC6
Course goals
After the course the student:
  1. Has a profound understanding of Animal Welfare as a scientific concept.
  2. Has a profound understanding of (neuro)ethological concepts that are important for the investigation and evaluation of animal welfare.
  3. Has a profound understanding of factors that may contribute to the development of behavioural problems of animals kept under human care.
  4. Has a profound understanding of limits of behavioural and physiological adaptation and its underlying neurophysiological and ethological mechanisms.
  5. Has a profound understanding of how fundamental knowledge can be applied in order to a) evaluate animal welfare, b) design appropriate housing environments and management procedures for animals kept under human care and c) diagnose behavioural and animal welfare problems of animals kept under human care.
  6. Has a profound understanding of factors that are relevant for the design of experiments and procedures used to investigate animal welfare or relevant mechanisms underlying welfare-related questions.
  7. Is able to use and apply (neuro)ethological concepts in order to develop and design research on animal welfare related topics.
  8. Is able to contribute to the public debate in the field of animal welfare by using sound scientific arguments.
  9. Is able to evaluate animal welfare of animals kept under human care and to substantiate that evaluation by scientific arguments.
  10. Is able to understand and possibly diagnose behavioural problems of animals kept under human care.
  11. Is able to make ethograms for research regarding animal welfare.
  12. Is able to translate public questions in the field of animal welfare in terms of sound scientific research questions.
Content
Period (from - till): 13 November 2023 - 8 December 2023 (BMS_P2_A)
 
Faculty
Lecturers (in alphabetical order):
  1. Achterberg, E.J.M. (Marijke) E.J.M.Achterberg@uu.nl
  2. Arndt, S.S. (Saskia) S.S.Arndt@uu.nl
  3. Boissevain, I.E. (Iaira) I.E.Boissevain@uu.nl
  4. Boleij, H. (Hetty) H.Boleij@uu.nl
  5. Eerdenburg, F.J.C.M. van (Frank) F.J.C.M.vanEerdenburg@uu.nl
  6. Fijn, L.B. (Lisa) l.b.fijn@uu.nl
  7. Goerlich, V.C. (Vivian) v.c.goerlich@uu.nl
  8. Hagen, M.A.E. van (Marjan) M.A.E.vanHagen@uu.nl
  9. Herwijnen, I.R. van (Ineke) i.r.vanherwijnen@uu.nl
  10. Kapteijn, C.M. (Chantal) c.m.kapteijn@uu.nl
  11. Langen, E.M.A. (Esther) E.M.A.Langen@uu.nl
  12. Lesscher, H.M.B. (Heidi) H.M.B.Lesscher@uu.nl
  13. Nieuwland, J. (Joachim) j.nieuwland@uu.nl
  14. Vinke, C.M. (Claudia) C.M.Vinke@uu.nl
  15. Zeeland, Y.R.A. van (Yvonne) y.r.a.vanzeeland@uu.nl
  
Course description
The course focuses at behavioural and welfare problems in animals.
It addresses the (neuro)ethological basis, the implications for science and society, and clinical aspects (causes, diagnostics, prevention, treatment).
A general outline is given below:
- Ontogeny and adaptation
- Behavioural pharmacology
- Pain assessment
- Neurobiology of adaptation
- Ethological observation and adaptation
- Chronic stress & welfare
- Animal welfare – as a scientific concept
-  Animal Welfare Management
- Animal welfare and Production Animals
- Ethics & Welfare
- Welfare of exotic animals & society 
- Introduction clinical ethology                                                         
- Clinical ethology of pet animals
- Clinical ethology of parrots
- Behaviour & Welfare of chicken
- Recent developments in farm animal husbandry systems
- Behaviour & Welfare of rats
- Animal communication and welfare
- Transgenerational effects and welfare
- Animal choice tests/consumer demand

Literature/study material used:
Peer reviewed scientific papers
 
Registration:
You can register for this course via Osiris Student. More information about the registration procedure can be found here on the Students' site.
The maximum number of participants is 24. Applications are on a "first come first serve" basis.

To register the applicants are asked to send a short (max. 250 words) motivation letter to the course coordinator Mona Giersberg (m.f.giersberg@uu.nl). In the letter please explain why you want to take part in this course and why it is relevant for your further studies/career. A selection will be made based on the timing of registration (first come, first serve) and the motivation letter.
 
Mandatory for students in own Master’s programme:
No.
 
Optional for students in other GSLS Master’s programme:
Yes, especially for ENVB-BE students. The course is also open for (international) students from other disciplines. Please contact the coordinator for further information. 

Prerequisite knowledge:
Students from the master programme Neuroscience & Cognition of the Utrecht University are expected to have completed the general Fundamentals Course (15 ECTS). Other students are required to have a demonstrable BSc-level knowledge of neuroscience or behavioral biology.
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