Entering higher education is exciting; but it can also be a daunting experience. At ARU, we want all our students to make the most of the opportunities higher education provides, reach your potential, become lifelong learners and find fulfilling careers. However, we appreciate that the shift from secondary education, or a return to formal education is, in itself, quite a journey. This module is designed to ease that transition. You'll be enrolled on it as soon as you receive an offer from ARU so you can begin to learn about university life before your course starts. Through Into ARU, you'll explore a virtual land modelled around ARU values: Courage, Innovation, Community, Integrity, Responsibility, and Ambition. This innovative module is designed as a game, where you collect knowledge and complete mini tasks. You'll proceed at your own pace, though we you to have completed your Into ARU exploration by week 6. If for any reason you're unable to complete by that date, we'll signpost to existing services so that we can be confident that you are supported.
View the full module definitionIn this module you'll consider what is genetic diversity in livestock and zoo animal populations. You will be able to ascertain a number of ways to measure genetic diversity using population genetic theory and molecular data. This module will allow you to explore some of the scientific principles of traditional animal breeding and population genetics theories. Over the module, you'll learn how these key concepts can be used in the management of genetic variation within commercial livestock population, companion and zoo animal populations. You will have the opportunity to investigate strategies to manage small population sizes with limited genetic resources and formulate practical solutions to try and manage these populations. In conjunction with the formal lectures, you'll also use weekly journal clubs to highlight key successes in implementing these strategies in monitoring genetic populations.
This module is designed to enable you to appreciate the role played by diets and feeding practice on both the development and the management of nutrition-induced disorders in range of farm, companion and captive wild animals in zoos. In-depth, research-based nutrition case-studies will be used to explore common problems such as metabolic bone diseases in reptiles, diet-induced anaemias, iron-storage overload diseases (eg hemosiderosis) in captive wild animals, type-2 diabetes in captive primates, chronic wasting syndrome in captive giraffes, and the effects of feed toxins/anti-nutritional factors on animal health and welfare. Several other areas will also be explored such as the range of feeding behaviours and nutritional adaptations found in animals, including the challenges faced by nutritionists when feeding wild animals held in captive environments. You will learn the scientific procedures and tools used by animal welfare inspectors for conducting nutritional status assessments and investigations in animals. You'll also look at nutritional similarities and differences across a variety of animal species including the implications of using the well-studied nutritional needs of domestic animals, and their use as the basis or models for diet design and feeding practice for wild animals in captivity whose nutritional needs are not well researched.
Wildlife has been a vital resource for human society for thousands of years. However, when utilisation leads to overexploitation, the consequences can be severe, not only for the resource itself, but also for the wider environment and, ultimately, human welfare. In this module, you’ll investigate the scientific, cultural and ethical drivers that underpin the protection of landscapes and their wild animal populations. Examples will be used throughout to demonstrate approaches employed to promote and support effective species and habitat conservation. In cases where rates of exploitation are unsustainable, the management and conservation of species must be addressed. Using specific case studies, this module explores a range of methods used in the sector for habitat conservation, including systematic conservation planning, landscape-scale approaches, adaptive management, protected area design, habitat restoration to inform management practice. Issues relating to minimum viable populations and minimum viable areas are also examined. You’ll explore the importance of the socio-economic and cultural context in habitat conservation, along with relevant international legislation and organisational efforts and practices. Finally, you’ll be introduced to the concepts of ‘sustainability’, ‘biodiversity’ and 'wildlife trade', and consider the importance and value of biodiversity to human welfare.
View the full module definitionHuman behaviour change represents one of the greatest challenges and opportunities for achieving lasting conservation outcomes. Research demonstrates that simply raising awareness of environmental issues is rarely sufficient to drive meaningful and sustained behaviour change. In this module, you‘ll explore the theory and practice of designing and implementing behaviour change interventions in real-world context. Drawing on cross-disciplinary insight from fields such as public health and marketing, you‘ll critically evaluate different approaches and apply these principals to the development of strategies that promote positive environmental behaviours. You‘ll also consider how these methodologies can be responsibly and effectively applied to conservation and animal welfare initiatives.
View the full module definitionThis interesting and interactive module has been developed to provide you with the knowledge of animal welfare science that will support you in making real-life ethical decisions on the use of animals in different applications. Particular emphasis will be placed on how animal welfare is assessed as well as the internal and external factors that contribute to different welfare levels. The relationship between welfare and ethics will be discussed in different scenarios with both national and international perspectives. Finally, the module will also cover the ethical and welfare implications of animal-human relationships and their impact in specific areas, such as: conservation (wild and exotics), animals as pets, farm and livestock (animal production) and animals used for research purposes.
This module provides hands-on experience in ecological principles and conservation practices, with a strong emphasis on applying theory to real-world environmental challenges. You’ll explore key topics such as ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity assessments, habitat management, environmental legislation and biodiversity net gain. Through fieldwork on our Writtle campus and engagement with real-world case studies, you’ll develop practical skills in ecological data collection, species monitoring and the creation of conservation management plans. By the end of this module, you’ll have gained a deeper understanding of ecological relationships and the vital role of conservation in sustaining biodiversity in the face of global environmental change.
View the full module definitionThis module is designed to give you both a strong theoretical background and advanced research skills in animal behaviour. There are three phases to the module; observing animals, collecting data and analysing data with a significant part of the module delivered through research exercises with live animals on the farm, at the zoo and on ARU Writtle's small animal unit. Theory sessions support an understanding of the motivation behind developmental and complex behaviour in a range of wild and domestic animal species to support the key concepts of animal welfare and conservation that is the focus of the MSc. A very popular module that we hope you will enjoy.
This module begins with a broad introduction to research in which you will identify an appropriate research approach in the context of their individual aspirations and, where applicable, their professional role. A prerequisite to this is attendance at the postgraduate induction/PDP event where a community of practice is developed with an understanding of your role in research and professional practice. The module introduces research and research methods from the perspectives of the researcher, research manager or managerial user. The module will discuss the research process of: identifying issues and problems; specifying research; collecting and processing primary and secondary data and information; analysing findings and producing conclusions, recommendations and suggestions for further investigation. Emphasis will be placed on methods that are objective, systematic, reliable, valid, ethical, effective and efficient. Guidance will also be given on the preparation of research papers and reports. This module will prepare you for dealing with research in all modules and in particular the Dissertation module. Taught postgraduates from all disciplines will initially share a generic overview that is appropriate for a postgraduate understanding of research and the methods that underpin it. Thereafter, you will devolve to tutors in your discipline to deal with the curriculum content in greater, contextualised detail. The greater part of the assessment will be applied to learning from this second part of the module.
During this module, you’ll undertake a significant research project in your field of study and will present the research results in an oral presentation and thesis prepared to the highest scientific standards. During the course of the project, you’ll have the opportunity to raise significant and meaningful questions in a chosen related specialism. You’ll need to demonstrate good knowledge, which may require substantial theoretical and/or research understanding. The module will help you to communicate your research in a variety of ways in a concise fashion to scientists, lay people and potential employers. You’ll develop skills to evaluate and troubleshoot research questions, analyse complex data sets and/or draw meaningful and justifiable conclusions from your research findings. You’ll work within a team to develop the capability to expand or redefine existing knowledge by developing new approaches to changing situations and contributing to your chosen field. In addition, you will learn how to identify potential ethical and/or risk implications of research and gain an ability to work within good research practice guidelines. Your learning will be online via live Teams sessions and supported by online and library resources.