Module Information

Module Identifier

BRM2420

Module Title

RUMINANT NUTRITION

Academic Year

2012/2013

Co-ordinator

Professor Jamie Newbold

Semester

Distance Learning

Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type	Delivery length / details
Other	Distance learning equivalent of 20 x 1h lectures
Other	2 day residential workshop.

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Online Quiz	10%
Semester Assessment	1,000 word trade review article aimed at target audience (e.g. Farmers Weekly)	10%
Semester Assessment	1,500 word Scientific Review on a specified ruminant nutrition topic	15%
Semester Assessment	Group wiki on ruminant nutrition	25%
Semester Assessment	4 x 500 word Critical Abstracts regarding the influence of management and environment on the rumen	25%
Semester Assessment	Online Quiz short answer	15%
Supplementary Assessment	Re-submission of failed or missing course work	100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Evaluate the scientific methods used in animal nutrition research

2. Discuss the ecology of the rumen and the methods used to modify it

3. Evaluate the methods used to modify the characteristics of meat and milk

4. Discuss the digestion and metabolism of nutrients in ruminants

Aims

This module will provide the student with the ability to improve their knowledge of modern livestock nutrition systems and the skill to integrate the most recent research into their work.

Brief description

This module will discuss recent developments in the nutrition of livestock animals. This module will draw upon the ongoing research in ruminant nutrition in IBERS and elsewhere.

Content

A two day workshop providing a total of 15 hrs of lectures and seminars followed by a self-access distance learning pathway equivalent to a further 30 hrs of formal input
The aim of this module is :

To outline the fundamental physiological and microbiological principles that underpin animal nutrition in the context of recent research. The module will focus on ruminants, although descriptions of the relevant processes in monogastric animals will also be given where appropriate.

It will achieve this by considering the following areas:

Design of animal nutrition experiments
Animal ration formulation and evaluation
Nutrient digestion and metabolism
Modulating alimentary microbial populations and their ecology, and plant-
Metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and lipids in order to modify the

Module Skills

Skills Type	Skills details
Application of Number	One of the assessed essays will be based around a rationing assignment which will require the student to calculate nutrient requirements for named ruminant livestock.
Communication	Students will be expected to be able to express themselves appropriately in their assignments.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Detailed feedback will be given for assignment work.
Information Technology	Students will be required to source information from a variety of scientific publication data bases.
Personal Development and Career planning	The module is aimed at upskilling and professionalising students already working in the agri-food sector.
Problem solving	Online quizzes will be used to help develop and improve students problem solving skills.
Research skills	Students will be required to undergo directed self study and so will develop their literature research skills.
Subject Specific Skills	Research methodology of animal nutrition.
Team work	Yes through group work.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7