Postgraduate Course: Clinical Animal Behaviour (AWAB11036)
Course Outline
| School | Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This 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
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Nil |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
MVM Online Learning Block 2 |
| Course Start Date |
11/01/2027 |
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) |
Assessment of this course will include an individual training assignment. Assessment briefs will be published on Learn at the beginning of the course. Please contact the programme team for more details. |
| Feedback |
Feedback will be provided using compulsory discussion boards in weeks 1-3 on a topic aligned to the first assignment (due week 6).
Alongside feedback on both summative assessments, feedback will be provided on a compulsory formative task related to Assessment 2. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of learning theory and training aids to real life scenarios via the development of training protocols
- Critically review relevant literature within the field of Clinical Animal Behaviour
- 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 |
1) Aspiration and personal development - Students are encouraged to build and reflect on existing practical/clinical skills and knowledge in a number of different ways relevant to the field of clinical animal behaviour.
2) Research and enquiry - Students will further hone their critical reading and writing skills within the field of clinical animal behaviour, fostering an ethos of evidence based practice.
3) Personal effectiveness - Students will be able to demonstrate autonomy in their ability to apply knowledge gained within this course to a practical task. This will require problem solving skills as well as an ability to adapt to the challenges of working with animals while maintaining animal welfare and ethical integrity.
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| Special Arrangements |
None |
| Keywords | Dog behaviour,cat behaviour,behavioural medicine,psychopharmacology |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Amy Miele
Tel: (0131 6)51 7396
Email: amy.miele@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Elizabeth Wright
Tel: (0131 6)50 6272
Email: E.Wright@ed.ac.uk |
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