Regulations for The Bachelor of Animal Science - BAnSci

A study of reproductive and lactational physiology in livestock with emphasis on identifying possible means of altering those processes in production animals. The course will include exploration of the anatomy and histology of the gonads, placenta and mammary gland.

Prerequisites: One of 117153, 117155 or 194101

An introduction of the basic principles of using bioinformatics to find genes. The principles to enable the calculation of genetic parameters, such as heritability. An introduction to the prediction of breeding values and the calculation of selection indices and genomic selection.

The importance of biosecurity to New Zealand and its relationship to human and animal health, and farm productivity will be highlighted. Identification, prevention and treatment of selected companion and production animal diseases in New Zealand. Knowledge of biosecurity will be used to develop biosecurity plans for animals with recent biosecurity failures used to illustrate concepts.

An in-depth study of aspects of the physiology of reproduction and lactation in monogastric and ruminant animals. The emphasis is placed on applying the understanding of the physiological processes to practical animal systems and will involve practical classes in which technologies related to animal reproduction and milk production are demonstrated. Students will advance their skills in reading and evaluating scientific literature, develop skills in analysing problems and in constructing a logical argument.

Prerequisites: 117243 or 194242 Restrictions: 117347

The relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on quantitative traits. Methods of calculating breeding values or indices to exploit genetic variation in quantitative traits. The use of computers to utilise pedigree and performance records. Selection for disease resistance, the use of new reproductive technologies to enhance genetic gain and the potential importance of molecular genetics in livestock improvement. Maternal influences and methods of selecting for maternal components. Crossbreeding and inbreeding as selection tools.

Prerequisites: One of 117201, 117245 or 117254 or 203202

A study of animal metabolism at the whole-body level. The emphasis will be on integrative aspects of metabolism, including exploring nutrient and energy flow from the food to organs, tissues and products. Mechanisms controlling body metabolism in general and the intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting them will be emphasised.

Prerequisites: (One of 122202, 122233 or 151232) and (one of 117202 or 194241)

Energy metabolism in higher eukaryotes from the perspective of life on earth and the necessary adaptation of living organisms from an anaerobic to aerobic environment. Carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism in the context of health and disease. Integration and regulation of carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism. A lecture and problem-based tutorial course complemented by a hands-on project-based laboratory course.

Prerequisites: 122102 Restrictions: 122233

Survival of individual animals, and species of animals, depends on effective physiological mechanisms that allow animals to live in different environments and to respond to changes in their environment, whether benign or extreme. These mechanisms are examined in relation to environmental factors that may include photoperiod, temperature, altitude, and latitude, and in relation to life in the air and underwater.

Prerequisites: One of 117155, 194101, 199101 or 199103 Restrictions: 194245

An examination of feedstuffs and their physical and chemical characteristics and nutritive values. The exploration, through appropriate examples of the different feed preservation processes and feed processing technology employed in animal production.

Current and future practices for meat production from farm to carcasses leaving the slaughter floor. Topics include animal growth and development, genetics and breeding, on-farm opportunities to influence carcass and meat quality, pre-slaughter handling of meat-producing animals, slaughter and carcass dressing procedures, carcass classification, animal welfare, occupational safety and health, and factory farming.

Develop understanding of the important drivers underpinning the relationship between nutrition and performance, and how these can be maximized to achieve the desired performance outcomes. Knowledge will be gained on the major animal nutrition and performance issues facing New Zealand working and sport animals.

Prerequisites: One of 117152, 117153, 117155 or 194101

The principles of monogastric nutrition are developed and applied to improve livestock productivity. An in-depth coverage of the digestive and absorptive processes and factors which affect them. The utilisation of absorbed nutrients is addressed, particularly in relation to the determination of nutrient requirements. Techniques central to the study of nutrition are emphasised. The science of nutrition is related back to the practice of feeding animals to optimise productivity and wellbeing. Students will be become familiar with nutrients partitioning computer models used in a practical context.

Prerequisites: 117201 or 117202 or 117254 Restrictions: 117342

Advanced principles of animal nutrition as related to ruminant livestock. An in-depth coverage of the processes of feed intake, digestion, absorption and metabolism, and the factors affecting them. The determination of the nutritive value of feedstuffs for ruminant, with particular emphasis on forages. Gain in-depth knowledge of schemes for estimating the ruminant animal requirements for energy, protein and minerals and the principles of ration formulation. Design practical feeding regimes and their implementation.

Prerequisites: 117201 or 117202 or 117254 Restrictions: 117342

Patterns of growth and development of farm animals will be described with emphasis on those characteristics of growth with economic implications for meat production, such as the rate, efficiency and composition of growth. Structural and functional aspects of muscle, bone and fat as they relate to animal well-being as well as carcass and meat quality will be considered. In describing factors that can affect animal growth, carcass composition and meat quality, particular attention will be given to on-farm factors.

Prerequisites: 117201 or 117225 or 117254

A study of animal metabolism at the whole-body level. The emphasis will be on integrative aspects of metabolism, including exploring nutrient and energy flow from the food to organs, tissues and products. Mechanisms controlling body metabolism in general and the intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting them will be emphasised.

Prerequisites: (One of 122202, 122233 or 151232) and (one of 117202 or 194241)

Energy metabolism in higher eukaryotes from the perspective of life on earth and the necessary adaptation of living organisms from an anaerobic to aerobic environment. Carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism in the context of health and disease. Integration and regulation of carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism. A lecture and problem-based tutorial course complemented by a hands-on project-based laboratory course.

Prerequisites: 122102 Restrictions: 122233

Provide an understanding of the major diseases and welfare considerations/issues of domestic animals in New Zealand and the relevance for animal management. The role of human behaviour in the productivity, function and welfare of animals. The importance of biosecurity to New Zealand and its relationship to human and animal health. Review the ethical frameworks associated with the ownership and use of animals.

Prerequisites: One of 117152, 117153, 117155 or 117107 Restrictions: 117255

The importance of biosecurity to New Zealand and its relationship to human and animal health, and farm productivity will be highlighted. Identification, prevention and treatment of selected companion and production animal diseases in New Zealand. Knowledge of biosecurity will be used to develop biosecurity plans for animals with recent biosecurity failures used to illustrate concepts.

Exploration of animal welfare as one of the various factors that influence our use of, and interactions with, animals. Integration of legal, scientific, ethical and practical considerations for making real-world improvements in animal welfare. Emphasis on student interaction with various stakeholders to define real-world animal welfare problems and explore solutions.

Understanding animal welfare is important to optimise animals’ health and productivity, to improve their quality of life and to safeguard the reputation of New Zealand’s animal production industries. This course explores how measurements of animal behaviour and physiology can be used to understand mental experiences such as pain, breathlessness, thirst, nausea and fear and thus the welfare states of domestic animals. These concepts will be applied to enable students to construct robust strategies for practical assessment of animal welfare in various production systems.

Prerequisites: Two of 194241, 194242, 194243 or 199203 Restrictions: 194343

This course is an integration of the scientific and theoretical aspects of companion animal science. The main topics covered include the nutrition, behaviour, welfare, breeding and genetics of dogs, cats and horses. The emphasis will be placed on the scientific foundation for the promotion of animal welfare and longevity.

An examination of the roles of organ systems in maintaining life and health in mammals, including humans, with emphasis on the alignment between structure and function. Topics include the functions of the heart and blood vessels, breathing, reproduction, and the digestive system.

Prerequisites: 194101 or 214101 or 117155 or 117153 or 199103

Survival of individual animals, and species of animals, depends on effective physiological mechanisms that allow animals to live in different environments and to respond to changes in their environment, whether benign or extreme. These mechanisms are examined in relation to environmental factors that may include photoperiod, temperature, altitude, and latitude, and in relation to life in the air and underwater.

Prerequisites: One of 117155, 194101, 199101 or 199103 Restrictions: 194245

This course explores how genetics, the environment, and humans shape the evolution of animal behaviour and inter- and intraspecific interactions. Practice sessions develop skills on the description, quantification, comparison and statistical analysis of animal behaviour using a variety of animals (vertebrate and invertebrate, wild and domestic). The use of scientific writing to communicate research findings is emphasised.

Prerequisites: One of (199103, 199101 or 196101) Restrictions: 199204, 117255

Develop understanding of the important drivers underpinning the relationship between nutrition and performance, and how these can be maximized to achieve the desired performance outcomes. Knowledge will be gained on the major animal nutrition and performance issues facing New Zealand working and sport animals.

Prerequisites: One of 117152, 117153, 117155 or 194101

Provide an understanding of the major diseases and welfare considerations/issues of domestic animals in New Zealand and the relevance for animal management. The role of human behaviour in the productivity, function and welfare of animals. The importance of biosecurity to New Zealand and its relationship to human and animal health. Review the ethical frameworks associated with the ownership and use of animals.

Prerequisites: One of 117152, 117153, 117155 or 117107 Restrictions: 117255

The principles of monogastric nutrition are developed and applied to improve livestock productivity. An in-depth coverage of the digestive and absorptive processes and factors which affect them. The utilisation of absorbed nutrients is addressed, particularly in relation to the determination of nutrient requirements. Techniques central to the study of nutrition are emphasised. The science of nutrition is related back to the practice of feeding animals to optimise productivity and wellbeing. Students will be become familiar with nutrients partitioning computer models used in a practical context.

Prerequisites: 117201 or 117202 or 117254 Restrictions: 117342

This course is an integration of the scientific and theoretical aspects of companion animal science. The main topics covered include the nutrition, behaviour, welfare, breeding and genetics of dogs, cats and horses. The emphasis will be placed on the scientific foundation for the promotion of animal welfare and longevity.

An exploration of horse production systems within New Zealand with comparison to the methods used in other major equestrian countries. Using different equine production systems as examples, the processes from birth to intended use are compared including how the industry is controlled and regulated and the impact this has on owners, trainers and administrators.

Restrictions: 286101

The course will describe the ethology of the horse. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the theory of learning and how it underpins basic training and training for the different disciplines. It will describe the welfare of horses associated with different equine management systems both in New Zealand and overseas. The legislation which protects horses will be described.

Exploration of the unique aspects of the tissues of the foot and lower limb of the horse. The emphasis is placed on the structure and functions of the moving parts of the lower limb, how alterations in the functioning of the limb can lead to changes in the horse's gait and how corrective measures can be rationally proposed.

Restrictions: 286222

As the equine athlete is trained changes occur in the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems. The basic and applied aspects, and the detection of changes, will be discussed, in the context of training regimens for different equine activities.

Prerequisites: One of 117152, 117153, 117155 or 194101