Companion and Zoo Animal Nutrition
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| BIOS4082 | Biosciences | 4 | 15 | Spring UK |
- Code
- BIOS4082
- School
- Biosciences
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 15
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module considers, with respect to Companion and Zoo Animals:
- Comparative Digestive physiology, feeding behaviour and metabolism
- Feed preferences, effective feed distribution and optimum choice of feed raw materials
- Diet formulation for companion and zoo animals, to emphasise whether diets offered are adequate for different physiological states
- Implications of nutritional inadequacies on health and well-being; clinical nutrition and other topics as deemed appropriate to the module content.
Target Students
Students registered for MSc/PGDip in Animal Nutrition
Classes
- One 4-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
Formal lectures, group presentations, directed private study, diet formulation exercise, coursework
Assessment
- 15% Coursework 1: Team Based Problem Solving and Presentation Exercise
- 15% Coursework 2: Diet Formulation Exercise, in collaboration with Twycross Zoo
- 70% Exam 1 (2-hour)
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
To provide an understanding of the underlying science and application of companion and zoo animal nutrition. To enhance students' knowledge and understanding of species physiology, nutrition, feeding behaviour and management in such a manner as to allow them to analyse critically feed supply in relation to requirements and potential responses. To demonstrate through coursework and/or examination an understanding of the factors that influence nutrient supply and the potential for manipulating metabolic processes through nutrient supply in systems for the relevant species.Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Explain the fundamental, cross-disciplinary principles and practices that underpin companion and zoo animal nutrition and its commercial and research applications.
- Evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in the fields of companion and zoo animal nutrition and feed evaluation.
- Analyse critically feed supply in relation to nutrient requirements, allowances and potential responses of companion and zoo animals.
- Present scientific data in a range of formats (presentation and report) to a standard consistent with the expectations of the professional scientific and commercial community.
Conveners
Last updated 07/01/2025.