THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2024/2025

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies : Animal Welfare and Animal Behaviour

Postgraduate Course: Clinical Animal Behaviour (AWAB11036)

Course Outline
SchoolRoyal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course is an introduction to the field of clinical animal behaviour with a particular focus on dogs and cats.
Course description In this course, students will gain an appreciation of the interaction between health and behaviour in domestic/captive animals and build on their understanding of the development, diagnosis and management of behavioural disorders and conflicts in a range of companion animal species.
Course Objectives:
¿Critically evaluate the interaction between health and behaviour in companion animals and be able to recognise the impact of nutrition and medical disorders, especially the role of pain on behaviour.
¿Discuss the theories underlying a range of behaviour problems and be able to gather information relevant to a case, in order to critically evaluate and appraise it.
¿Demonstrate how a scientific understanding of the biology and normal species specific behaviour can be applied to training and the treatment of problematic behaviour in a range of companion animal species
¿Be able to critically appraise a broad range of training techniques and training aids and evaluate treatment and training options based on the principles of learning theory
¿Evaluate the scientific basis and assess the ethical implications of a range of adjuncts used in the management of problem behaviour, including behavioural therapy, psychopharmacology, pheromonatherapy and dietary interventions
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs Nil
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 2
Course Start Date 13/01/2025
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 196 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Online in-course assessments will incorporate a variety of activities constituting 100% of the overall course mark. These in-course assessments provide the opportunity to give students feedback on their performance during the course, and will include:

Individual video/photo animal training assignment (50%)
written assessment (50%)
Feedback Feedback will be provided using compulsory discussion boards in weeks 1-3 on a topic aligned to the first assignment (due week 6).
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of learning theory and training aids to real life scenarios via the development of training protocols
  2. Critically review relevant literature within the field of Clinical Animal Behaviour
  3. Critically evaluate the scientific basis for and assess the ethical implications of a range of adjuncts used in the management of problem behaviour and make informed judgements as to their practical application
Reading List
Available via TALIS Aspire
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Communication with clients in a clinical skills setting.
Special Arrangements None
KeywordsClinical behaviour,companion animals,dog behaviour,cat behaviour,equine behaviour.
Contacts
Course organiserDr Amy Miele
Tel: (0131 6)51 7396
Email: amy.miele@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Elizabeth Wright
Tel: (0131 6)50 6272
Email: E.Wright@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information