Animal Disease, Health and Welfare
About the major
Animals play a significant role in the lives of people and communities, particularly in the areas of food, fibre production and as pets for companionship.
This Animal Health, Disease and Welfare major will integrate the areas of animal biology and ecology with comparative and veterinary science. You will learn about the science that underpins the biology of animal health and disease, including physiology, molecular biology, infectious agents and animal welfare.
An emphasis of this major is how to prevent, treat and understand disease in production and companion animals and wildlife. Your study could lead to a career in animal health sciences, including areas of infectious disease control, disease surveillance, animal welfare and animal production industries.
Requirements for completion
A major in Animal Health, Disease and Welfare requires 48 credit points, consisting of:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 6 credit points of 2000-level core units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level selective units
(iv) 24 credit points of 3000-level core units
A minor in Animal Health, Disease and Welfare is available and articulates to this major.
First year
Core: BIOL1XX6, BIOL1XX7
Second year
AVBS2001 and 6cp from: MICR2X22, IMMU2101, MICR2X31, IMMU2011, MIMI2X02 (Medical science students also have the option of MEDS2004)
Students entering the second year of the Animal Health, Disease and Welfare major will explore the principles of microbiology or immunology. They will then experience how these principles interact in the animal to influence health, disease and impact upon welfare through the core unit of study. The interaction between the host (or the animal), the agent of disease (genetics, physical, chemical and infectious agents) and environmental factors is explored. The disease and health states will be examined in this unit, through understanding how the host responds to the aetiological agent of disease and the environment through one of the basic five pathological processes that occur in tissues. These include inflammation and repair, degeneration and necrosis, circulatory disturbances, tissue deposits and pigments, and disorders of growth. Aspects covered in foundation microbiology and immunology units will be illustrated through case-based approaches used to teach the principles of pathological processes.
Third year
Core for Major: AVBS3001, AVBS3002, ANSC3106, and AVBS3000.
In third year students develop a detailed understanding of diseases impacting on animals, how we can influence disease risk through both pharmacological, ecological and welfare means in a variety of circumstances and importantly, how disease can be investigated such that causation of disease can be established.
Students will also gain techniques and broader skills through interdisciplinary project units, where they will explore key topics or explore new techniques so that new information that can be gained can potentially be utilised by the local animal carer through to farmers and government to optimise animal health and wellbeing and aid in the control, prevention and treatment of disease impacting both domesticated and wild animals.
Students will also gain a more detailed appreciation of how health and welfare issues of the animals in our care and environment can reflect on societal wellbeing (i.e. planetary health).
Fourth year
The fourth year is only offered within the combined Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies course.
Advanced coursework
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies advanced coursework option consists of 48 credit points, which must include a minimum of 24 credit points in a single subject area at 4000 level, including a project unit of study worth at least 12 credit points.
Space is provided for 12 credit points towards the second major (if not already completed). 24 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2020.
Honours
Requirements for Honours in the area of Animal Health, Disease and Welfare: completion of 24 credit points of project work and 12 credit points of coursework.
Honours units of study will be available in 2020.
Contact and further information
W http://sydney.edu.au/science/life-environment/
E
T +61 2 9036 5417
Address:
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Level 5, Carslaw Building (F07)
Eastern Avenue
The University of Sydney NSW 2006
Dr Gary Muscatello
Email:
Phone: +61 2 9114 0790
Example pathways
Those with a strong interest in Microbiology should choose these units at 2000-level: AVBS2001 and MICR2X31.
Those with a strong interest in Immunology should choose these units at 2000-level: AVBS2001 and IMMU2011.
Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from Animal Disease, Health and Welfare will:
- Understand the function of eukaryotic cells and an application of this knowledge in areas of diagnostics and screening for disease and traits in animals.
- Understand the socio-economic importance of animals in various natural and manmade environments.
- Handle animal derived samples in a safe manner.
- Understand animal body systems, specifically maintenance of homeostasis and the animals’ response to environmental factors and stressors.
- Understand animal pathobiology through understanding a range of disease processes and be able to distinguished disease from healthy status.
- Apply knowledge of modern molecular techniques used in screening of health and disease status in both domesticated and non-domesticated animals.
- Appreciate the ethical issues and practical welfare concerns related to the testing for animal disease and investigations that explore and research animal health topics.