AP3A101-Canine and Feline Science

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Students who have not taken prior modules in nutrition e.g. AP1A18 Digestion and Nutrition or AP2A67 Animal Nutrition are required to undertake additional background reading before completing this module.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Mrs Rebecca Morgan
Email: r.morgan@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

What is the scientific basis of dog and cat nutrition? How can a dog or cat’s diet affect its health? What science underpins training and management of dog behaviour? To address these questions and more, you’ll learn about domestic dog and cat nutrition, feeding, aspects of health, reproductive physiology, behaviour and training (of the dog), and you'll develop your skills in critical discussion of these aspects of canine and feline science.

Aims:

This module aims to provide the student with an understanding of various aspects of canine and feline science including nutrition, feeding, health, reproduction, behaviour and training of domestic dogs and cats.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• Critically discuss canine and feline nutrition including reference to nutrient requirements, health, foods and feeding strategies.


• Critically discuss canine and feline reproduction and breeding including reference to reproductive physiology, control of breeding and health related to breeding practices.


• Critically discuss canine and feline communication and be haviour including reference to modes of learning, training methods and behaviour problems.

Additional outcomes:

The following employability/transferrable skills will be developed:

• Written communication, critical appraisal of literature and scientific justification through the coursework


• Independent working, time management and organisation will be developed through guided independent study.

Outline content:

The moduleÌýwill cover a range of topics relating to domestic dogs and cats:

• Origins and domestication


• Digestion and metabolism


• Pathologies associated with nutrition and metabolism


• Nutrient requirements, diets and feeding


• Reproduction


• Breeding and health


• Communication and social behaviour of dogs and cats


• Learning and training in the dog; dealing with problem behaviour

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be a 2-hour lecture (with a short break in the middle) each week