Animal and Veterinary Bioscience
About the stream and program
The Animal and Veterinary Bioscience Program provides students with fundamental and applied knowledge in animal bioscience.
Students will acquire a broad overview of both domestic animals and wildlife species and their environment, and an integrated comparative knowledge in fields such as applied animal biotechnologies, reproduction and nutrition. This will be supported by detailed knowledge of animal structure and function and a focus on application of innovative approaches and technologies to enhance animal management and welfare.
Students will also study animal behaviour and management systems that respect ethical and environmental concerns and promote animal welfare. Graduates will acquire an industry-oriented science-based education which could lead to a career in a wide variety of veterinary and animal science industries.
The program is broader and more detailed than either the Animal Production major or the Animal Health, Disease and Welfare majors, providing graduates with an all-inclusive appreciation of the multidisciplinary sciences involved in veterinary and allied animal science industries including companion animals and wildlife.
Requirements for completion
The Animal and Veterinary Bioscience stream is 120 credit points, consisting of:
(i) 6 credit points of 1000-level stream core units
(ii) 6 credit points of 2000-level stream core units
(iii) A 108 credit point program in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience
A program in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience requires 108 credit points, consisting of:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level program core units
(ii) 6 credit points of 2000-level program core units
(iii) 6 credit points of 3000-level program core units
(iv) 6 credit points of 4000-level core units
(v) 30 credit points of 4000-level units according to the following rules:
(a) For students undertaking advanced coursework in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience: 12 credit points of 4000-level project units and 18 credit points of 4000-level advanced coursework selective units
(b) For students undertaking honours in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience: 24 credit points of 4000-level research units and 6 credit points of 4000-level advanced coursework selective units
(vi) A 48 credit point major in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience
This program is only available to students enrolled in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience stream.
A major in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience requires 48 credit points, consisting of:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level major core units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level major core units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level selective units
(iv) 12 credit points of 3000-level core major units
(v) 6 credit points of 3000- or 4000-level major selective units
This major is only available to students enrolled in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience program.
First year
Core to major: CHEM1XX1 Chemistry 1A, BIOL1XX7 From Molecules to Ecosystems
Core to program: AVBS1002 Concepts of Animal Management, AVBS1003 Animals and Us
Core to stream: ENVX1002 Introduction to Statistical Methods
The first-year units provide a strong scientific foundation for further learning within the animal and veterinary bioscience program through providing fundamental understanding in biology (BIOL1XX7) and chemistry (CHEM1XX1) coupled with an introduction to statistics (ENVX1002). The first year of the program has a distinctive animal flavour, with units that introduce students to the nature of animal and human interactions and the relevance of animals in our world (AVBS1003) and the practicality of animal management through an introduction to the varied animal industries (AVBS1002).
Second year
Core to major: AVBS2007 Animal Structure and Function, AVBS2004 Animal Nutrition
Core to program: AVBS2005 Animal Energetics and Homeostasis
Core to stream: ENVX2001 Applied Statistical Methods
Selective to the major: GEGE2001 Genetics and Genomics or BIOL2032 Australian Wildlife Biology
The second year of the Animal and Veterinary Bioscience stream provides students with an opportunity to understand how animals work, through studying anatomy and physiology in a comparative manner (AVBS2007).
Students will couple this with an understanding of the molecular and cellular nature of biochemical processes in animals (AVBS2005) and examine how we can feed animals to enable their optimal wellbeing in both a production and natural setting (AVBS2005).
Students will also expand upon their understanding of statistical methodologies, exploring the application and use of statistical design and methods in both natural and experimental settings as a means of answering questions about animal populations, health and wellbeing through applied animal research (ENVX2001).
Students in this program may also wish to expand upon their knowledge of genetics and genomics (GEGE2001) or Australian wildlife biology (BIOL2032)
Third year
Core to major: ANSC3102 Animal Reproduction, SCPU3001 Science Interdisciplinary Project
Core to program: ANSC3106 Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science
Selective to the major: ANSC3105 Animal Biotechnology or AGRO4006 New and Emerging Tech in Animal Science
Students undertaking the third year of the Animal and Veterinary Bioscience stream will explore and gain in-depth understanding of three key areas of applied animal science; animal reproduction (ANSC3102), animal behaviours and welfare (ANSC3106) and applied animal science technologies (ANSC3105 or AGRO4005).
Student are required to undertake an interdisciplinary project unit where they will team up with other student cohorts to explore and provide solutions to a real-world industry based interdisciplinary problem (SCPU3001).
Fourth year
Core to program: AVBS4000 (to be developed for offering in 2021)
The fourth year is only offered within the combined Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies course.
To enter the 4th year of the program it is expected that you have completed the professional development program outlined in this program which will culminate by you undertaking and completing the AVBS4000 unit.
Advanced coursework
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies advanced coursework option consists of 48 credit points, with a minimum of 24 credit points at 4000-level or above. In addition, students must complete a minimum of 12 credit points of project (SCPU400X Industry and Community Science Project or AVBS4888 Advanced Animal and Veterinary Science Project) and 18 credit points of coursework (AVBS4002 Dairy Production and Technology, AVBS4004 Food Safety Assessment and Management and AVBS4012 Extensive Animal Industries).
Honours
Meritorious students in the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Animal and Veterinary Bioscience) may apply for admission to Honours within the Animal and Veterinary Bioscience stream.
Honours in Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (AVBS) is only available to students in the AVBS stream. The Honours component is an integrated program involving a 24-credit point research project and two 6-credit points of advanced coursework in topics of applied animal science and includes the completion of the professional development program.
A further 12-credit points of coursework is required to complete the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (AVBS), if not completed already, these could be used to complete a second major.
Honours is available to students who have completed a major in an area relevant to their project and met the requirements outlined in the resolutions. Admittance into the program is determined by the Faculty of Science as well as the honours coordinator.
Honours Coordinator
Dr Wendy Muir
T +61 2 46550658
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Contact and further information
W http://sydney.edu.au/science/life-environment/
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Dr Gary Muscatello
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Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from Animal and Veterinary Bioscience will be able to:
- Exhibit a deep understanding of principles and concepts in cell, systems and body function within the context of animal health and wellbeing.
- Exhibit a broad and coherent body of knowledge in animal nutrition, animal biotechnologies and animal reproduction and apply this knowledge to animal health issues.
- Appraise and evaluate field and laboratory situations to ensure they work, as individuals or in a team, to handle animals in a safe manner, minimising risk and stress for both human and animal.
- Integrate knowledge of animal body systems in evaluating animals’ responses to environmental stressors.
- Communicate concepts and findings in animal and veterinary biosciences to a range of audiences through a variety of modes, using evidence-based arguments that are robust to critique.
- Address authentic problems in animal and veterinary biosciences, working professionally and responsibly within collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.
- Evaluate the effects of environment on animal behaviour and welfare within society and assess practical concerns across society.
- Investigate how ethical issues, practical welfare concerns and social contexts contribute to animal related industry and research scenarios.
- Explore and evaluate the socio-economic importance of animals in a range of natural and anthropogenic environments across cultural settings.