This programme is taught in a blended learning format. You will be in class one full day and one half-day each week. In addition, there will be lecturer-supported online tasks and learning activities to make a full-time study load. These online tasks can be done at home, or at UCOL using UCOL computers.
Animal Care Fundamentals (15 Credits)
Learn introductory concepts of health, safety, hygiene, professional behaviour, companion animal characteristics, ethics, welfare, and behaviour before commencing experiential learning in animal-related facilities. The learning outcomes are:
- Describe and demonstrate introductory health, safety, and hygiene procedures and concepts for the animal care industry.
- Describe and demonstrate appropriate professional behaviour, personal effectiveness, and cultural awareness in the animal care industry.
- Identify typical physical and behavioural characteristics of a range of companion animal species and breeds.
- Describe introductory standards of ethics, welfare, and behaviour when working with animals in a professional capacity.
Anatomy and Physiology (10 Credits)
The course aims to introduce and expand foundation knowledge of companion animal anatomy, cells, body tissues and systems. The learning outcomes are:
- Describe skeletal anatomy, muscles, tendons, and integument of a companion animal.
- Describe the features of senses in an animal and how they contribute to the safety and wellbeing of selected animals.
- Describe monogastric digestion in an animal.
- Identify and describe the main building blocks, body systems, body fluid transport systems required to maintain homeostasis in an animal.
Animal Care Facilities (15 Credits)
The course aims to introduce regulatory requirements relevant to the animal care sector, including codes of practice, admission to and discharge from animal facilities, and regulations covering behaviour, handling and restraint, basic training, and transportation. The learning outcomes are::
- Identify the main requirements of legislation relevant to animal facilities
- Identify the main features and functions of a range of animal care facilities
- Explain, procedures to identify, admit and discharge an animal and keep accurate records in an animal facility
- Describe and apply the Animal Welfare Act, including its codes to evaluate animal welfare in a range of situations
- Describe and apply appropriate handling, restraint, transportation and training techniques for various situations to minimise the stress of animals.
Animal Husbandry and Health (30 Credits)
The course aims to enable learners to undertake day to day care of companion animals according to support optimal health and welfare and respond appropriately to normal and abnormal health and behaviour. The learning outcomes are:
- Describe the natural habitat and behaviour of a range of companion animals and how this informs optimal housing, husbandry and handling.
- Describe ideal companion animal husbandry (care, nutrition, housing, grooming, and enrichment) to support optimal health and welfare.
- Describe basic reproduction, parturition and care of neonates in dogs, cats, rabbits and companion birds.
- Explain signs of health, ill-health (including common infectious diseases) and wellbeing in companion animals.
- Recognise and explain how to assess an animal and give basic first aid advice for common emergency situations.
- Provide day-to-day feeding, husbandry, handling and routine health procedures to maintain the welfare of animals at the animal facility