Module Information

Module Identifier
BRM5420
Module Title
Livestock Production Science
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 10 x 2 Hour Lectures
Field Trip 4 x 4 Hour Field Trips
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Livestock science data report  (max 2000 words)  40%
Semester Exam 3 Hours   60%
Supplementary Exam 3 Hours   Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module.  60%
Supplementary Assessment Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module.  40%

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Identify the components of animal production systems and demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between them.

2. Review and evaluate scientific literature and apply the results to the development of animal production systems.

3. Explain how research can be used to increase the efficiency of farm animal production.

Brief description

This module will explore the way in which research is used to develop more efficient animal production systems. Lectures and seminars will cover a range of topical subjects selected from the growth and development of livestock, reproductive technologies, feed efficiency, mitigating the effects of the intensification of animal production, and food chains.

Aims

To give masters students in the livestock sciences an understanding of animal production and in particular the ongoing research in this area in IBERS and elsewhere.

Content

1. Introduction to the module, the assignment and to the livestock systems of the UK - lecture
2. Growth and development of livestock animals - lecture x2
3. Feed use efficiency - lecture
4. Reproduction and fertility of livestock - lecture
5. Livestock slaughter - lecture
6. Epidemiology and modeling livestock disease - lecture
7. Livestock supply chains - lecture
8. Mitigating the effects of intensive livestock production - lecture x2
9. Summary to the module - seminar
10. Farm visit

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number The assignment and exam will require the interpretation of scientific publications. The assignment will also require the manipulation and statistical analysis of a raw data set. Assessed in the assignment and exam; feedback from the assignment.
Communication The exam and especially the assignment will be expected to demonstrate good communication and literacy. Assessed in the assignment and exam; feedback from the assignment.
Improving own Learning and Performance Through developing skills in the reading and interpretation of scientific publications, preparation of written work and working to deadlines. Assessed in the assignment and exam; feedback from the assignment.
Information Technology The assignment and exam will require the use of internet based academic journal search engines and the retrieval of academic journal papers. The data for the assignment must be handled using spreadsheet software. The assignment must be prepared using word processing and spreadsheet software. Assessed in the assignment and exam; feedback from the assignment.
Personal Development and Career planning Students will gain confidence in their ability to understand livestock production though the module, revealing some potential career destinations to students.
Problem solving Lectures and seminars will develop an awareness of the complex inter-relationships among components of animal production systems. This will enable students to identify and analyse problems. This along with an evaluation of the research literature and its applications, will provide case studies that demonstrate how applied science can be used in problem solving. Assessed in the assignment and exam; feedback from the assignment.
Research skills Developed through a study of the scientific literature. Assessed in the assignment and exam; feedback from the assignment.
Subject Specific Skills Subject specific concepts relating to animal production science will be developed and assessed in the exam and assignment. Feedback will be given in the assignment.
Team work

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7