Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay 2500 Words | 35% |
| Semester Assessment | Interactive Task 1200 Words | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Ration formulation assignment 1500 Words | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Interactive Task Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. 1200 Words | 25% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Ration formulation assignment Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. 1500 Words | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. 2500 Words | 35% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Discuss the principles of energy and nutrient metabolism in farm and companion animals and evaluate the consequences of excess or deficiency of key nutrients.
Discuss key laboratory and animal tests used in ration evaluation.
Formulate rations for different categories of animals.
Discuss and critically evaluate current issues in livestock nutrition and the research addressing these.
Discuss the ecology of the gut and the methods used to modify this.
Critically evaluate the methods used to modify the characteristics of animal products.
Brief description
You will look at the principles of animal nutrition in a broad context, where the evaluation of feeds in a laboratory and field context will be discussed as will principles of energy and protein metabolism and nutrition. The consequences and possible causes ofmineral and vitamin deficiencies and excesses will be considered. This knowledge will then be applied to develop an understanding of ration formulation. The module will then focus specifically on current research topics in livestock nutrition, drawing on the ongoing research in animal nutrition in IBERS.
Aims
This module aims to teach industry about the latest research into livestock nutrition.
Content
- Comparative digestive physiology
- Fundamentals of energy metabolism
- Amino acid biochemistry and metabolism
- Roles and functions of minerals and vitamins
- Dietary analysis and evaluation
- Systems for ration formulation and evaluation
- Gut microbiology
- Design of animal nutrition experiments
- Nutrient digestion and metabolism
- Modulating alimentary microbial populations and their ecology
- Plant-microbe interactions
- Metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and lipids in order to modify the characteristics of meat and milk
The module will deliver the content through a series of recorded lectures, interviews, discussions and interactive activities. The students will be given a reading list of 'essential' and recommended' articles and books. They will be expected to interact with other students through interactive tasks set by the course tutor. The module will also contain assessments which will look to encourage students to apply the research they have learnt about to real-life scenarios. The students will be asked to reflect on what they have learnt from the module and to give their views on what they think will be used in the future.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | The ration formulation assessment will need the application of some basic mathematical skills, although the calculations will be performed by the software for the student. |
| Communication | Developing and assessing written communication will be an integral part of the assessments for this module. |
| 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. Students will be expected to deliver their assessments on BlackBoard by uploading documents produced using a word processor, containing written text and illustration. In addition, the ration formulation assessment specifically requires the application of an on-line rationing tool. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will be exposed to methodologies used in industry to analyse feeds and formulate rations, which is a key skill for future careers in the field of animal nutrition. Also parts of this module have been recognized as fulfilling the Feed Advisers Register's Core Competencies. Although this module does not meet all core competencies. The module can also count towards BASIS and DairyPro career professional development points. |
| Problem solving | The ration formulation assessment requires calculations of animal requirements and the students to devise a ration that will match as closely as possible the requirement to the nutrient supply |
| Research skills | Students will be expected to demonstrate significant literature research skills in preparation for their assessments, their interactive tasks, as well as in directed self study. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Ration formulation and matching animal requirements to nutrient supply provided by a specific diet is a subject specific skill in this field. |
| Team work | Online forum assessments will require students to debate among themselves to develop a consensus of opinion. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7