Studies
(BAS)B Animal Science
General
Structure
Profile
The BSc programme Animal Sciences is an international academic programme in applied animal biology. It provides a learning environment for students to acquire knowledge and understanding of the biological basis and concepts of the functioning of domesticated animals, as well as basic knowledge on mathematics, statistics and chemistry. All education is in English.
The programme is directed to all types of domesticated animals such as livestock (farm animals, mainly cattle, pigs and poultry), fish (including fisheries), companion animals (horses, dogs and cats), zoo-animals and (semi) wildlife, in any function for human use and well-being. Examples of such functions are food production, companionship, sports, processing of waste, banking and nature conservation.
The programme is disciplinary oriented and focuses on aspects such as animal health and welfare, genetics, nutrition and environmental and animal ethics issues. Students are particularly trained to become aware of the need for multidisciplinary approaches in animal sciences.
The objective of the programme is to educate academic professionals who are able to explore sustainable development options for complex, society driven problems of a wide range of animal husbandry systems. Development of such systems is constrained by technical factors (such as feed supply, animal health, level of management and genetic diversity) and by infra-structural, ecological and socio-economic factors. E.g. animal-human interactions become increasingly important in high-income developed countries, whereas food security in terms of animal protein is still key issue in developing countries worldwide.
Animal health and welfare play a key role in this field, focusing on the effects of the environment (housing, nutrition and management) on physiological (e.g. the immunological status) and behavioural responses of an individual or groups of animals. Animal breeding plays an integral role in ensuring genetic (bio)diversity and disease resistance, by means of quantitative, biological and molecular techniques.
All of these aspects are covered in two specialisations. The specialisation Animal Management and Care has a focus on how to manage the animals we care for in terms of reproduction, nutrition, housing and how to prevent these animals from becoming ill. The specialisation Biological Functioning of Animals has a more physiological focus. In this specialisation you need sophisticated molecular techniques to unravel the why and how of physiological responses. Students complete their specialisation with a BSc thesis, a short research project that aims to integrate all (disciplinary) knowledge and skills of the previous years.
Broaden your Horizon (optional).
The Broaden your Horizon programme takes place in the third year of our BSc programme and will help you to explore and experience what it means to be globally engaged in Animal Management and Production. In this optional element you will be visiting a research university abroad to complete your BSc thesis and, if you are interested, follow courses for a period for at least 2-4 months. During your stay abroad you will build relationships with international peers, develop leadership skills, have the opportunity to reflect on animal ethical perspectives in a different country and context and the opportunity to reflect on the problems of worldwide husbandry of livestock and pets. The skills and experiences you will acquire will help you to develop to become an Animal Scientist in a world-wide community. If you are interested to follow this programme, discuss this with your study adviser.
The programme is directed to all types of domesticated animals such as livestock (farm animals, mainly cattle, pigs and poultry), fish (including fisheries), companion animals (horses, dogs and cats), zoo-animals and (semi) wildlife, in any function for human use and well-being. Examples of such functions are food production, companionship, sports, processing of waste, banking and nature conservation.
The programme is disciplinary oriented and focuses on aspects such as animal health and welfare, genetics, nutrition and environmental and animal ethics issues. Students are particularly trained to become aware of the need for multidisciplinary approaches in animal sciences.
The objective of the programme is to educate academic professionals who are able to explore sustainable development options for complex, society driven problems of a wide range of animal husbandry systems. Development of such systems is constrained by technical factors (such as feed supply, animal health, level of management and genetic diversity) and by infra-structural, ecological and socio-economic factors. E.g. animal-human interactions become increasingly important in high-income developed countries, whereas food security in terms of animal protein is still key issue in developing countries worldwide.
Animal health and welfare play a key role in this field, focusing on the effects of the environment (housing, nutrition and management) on physiological (e.g. the immunological status) and behavioural responses of an individual or groups of animals. Animal breeding plays an integral role in ensuring genetic (bio)diversity and disease resistance, by means of quantitative, biological and molecular techniques.
All of these aspects are covered in two specialisations. The specialisation Animal Management and Care has a focus on how to manage the animals we care for in terms of reproduction, nutrition, housing and how to prevent these animals from becoming ill. The specialisation Biological Functioning of Animals has a more physiological focus. In this specialisation you need sophisticated molecular techniques to unravel the why and how of physiological responses. Students complete their specialisation with a BSc thesis, a short research project that aims to integrate all (disciplinary) knowledge and skills of the previous years.
Broaden your Horizon (optional).
The Broaden your Horizon programme takes place in the third year of our BSc programme and will help you to explore and experience what it means to be globally engaged in Animal Management and Production. In this optional element you will be visiting a research university abroad to complete your BSc thesis and, if you are interested, follow courses for a period for at least 2-4 months. During your stay abroad you will build relationships with international peers, develop leadership skills, have the opportunity to reflect on animal ethical perspectives in a different country and context and the opportunity to reflect on the problems of worldwide husbandry of livestock and pets. The skills and experiences you will acquire will help you to develop to become an Animal Scientist in a world-wide community. If you are interested to follow this programme, discuss this with your study adviser.