UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
OVERVIEW
The Animal Welfare Program offers two lecture-based courses for undergraduates. Students interested in conducting original research should consider taking APBI 499, or applying for an NSERC USRA after completing APBI 315. Information on undergraduate students who have been involved in our program may be found under “People: Undergraduate Researchers”.
Students that excel in APBI 315 and are in their 4th year of undergraduate study are eligible to enroll in graduate courses ANSC 551 (Tutorials in Animal Welfare Research) or ANSC 550 (Topics in Animal Welfare) with the permission of the instructor.
As part of an undergraduate degree through the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, UBC students with a strong interest in animal welfare can take the Animal Welfare Certificate Program (General level) by distance education from The Thompson River University (TRU). The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences recognizes this course as equivalent to a 3-credit UBC course at the second-year level.
- top of page -
COURSES
APBI 314: Animals and Society
Description:
An interdisciplinary introduction to the place of animals in human society. The course introduces students to (1) the place of animals in mythology and Western thought, (2) the role of animals in world food production, biomedical research, companionship and entertainment, and (3) attempts to safeguard animals through by practical innovations, the humane movement and the law. The course involves reading, discussion, critical thinking and written work.
Pre-requisite:
Third year standing in any faculty
Official 2009-2010 UBC student evaluation for this course
APBI 315: Animal Welfare and The Ethics of Animal Use: An interdisciplinary course
Description:
An interdisciplinary course which introduces students to many of the ethical issues surrounding the use of animals in agriculture, science, and society. The course covers (1) scientific research that attempts to understand and improve animal welfare, (2) philosophical positions on animal use, and (3) relevant developments in society, economics and the law. The course involves reading, discussion, critical thinking, written assignments, and student-led presentations.
Pre-requisite:
Third year standing in any faculty.
Official 2009-2010 UBC student evaluation for this course
APBI 398: Research Methods in Applied Animal Biology
Description:
Research methods including research design, scientific critique, writing proposals and reports, and oral presentation.
Pre-requisite:
Third-year standing in the Applied Animal Biology program.
APBI 490 Section 2: Animals and Global Issues
Description:
In this final-year seminar course, students develop skills in integrating and presenting information from different fields to understand global animal issues such as the role of animal products in human health, environmental impact of livestock production, trade in exotic animals, reasons for emerging animal diseases, and others. Writing, discussion and oral presentations are required.
Pre-requisite:
At least one of APBI 314 and 315.
APBI 499: Undergraduate Thesis in Animal Welfare
Description:
This course provides the opportunity for students to take an active role in a research project on animal welfare, including involvement in experimental design, data collection and data analysis. Ideally students identify a research topic and begin data collection during the summer, and work on the data analysis and writing their thesis during the Fall and Spring semesters. The final thesis will be in the format of a scientific article, and, when appropriate, students may submit their work for publication.
Example of an Undergraduate Thesis:
Erin Ryan, 2009: The Effect of Milk Allowance on Play Behaviour in Dairy Calves: A Preliminary Study
Essay Examples:
Sara McLean, 2003: The Effect of Feed Alley Space on the Agonistic and Spacing Behaviour of Dairy Cattle
Michelle Drissler, 2003: Evaluating the Value of Cage Enrichments using a Foraging Model
Pre-requisite:
Permission of the relevant faculty member plus, except in special circumstances, completion of APBI 315 with an A or A+ standing.
Animal Welfare Certificate Program (General level): The Thompson River University
Description:
This is a distance education course offered by The Thompson River University. The course was developed by TRU in cooperation with the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, originally to provide background education for BC SPCA staff. It covers practical aspects of animal health and animal care with emphasis on companion animals, as well as legal, organizational and safety issues arising in the humane movement. It provides excellent preparation for students interested in working in the BC SPCA or similar agencies.
The Faculty of Land and Food Science recognizes this course as equivalent to a 3-credit UBC course at the second-year level.
Pre-requisite:
2nd year standing. Students should apply to the Associate Dean, Students, to have the course recognized for three credits toward their UBC degree. They will then need to register with TRU and pay the course fee of roughly $700 to TRU.
- top of page -