Masters degrees in Agricultural Zoology provide advanced study and training in all agricultural aspects of animal biology, including breeding, behaviour, physiology, disease, development, and interactions with the environment.
Specialisms related to this subject include topics such as Animal Welfare and Conservation, Animal Nutrition and Applied Animal Biology. Entry requirements normally include an undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as Biology or Animal Sciences.
This is an advanced course for students who want to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the biology, welfare and conservation of domesticated and wild animals managed for production or leisure.
WUC works in partnership with Colchester Zoo to support study tours and research activities in order to enhance our students learning experience.
The teaching methods are a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, visits and student managed learning.
The self-guided study takes place under the supervision of experienced staff from the Centre of Equine and Animal Science at Writtle University College.
Students are assessed using a number of methods, for example written examination, reports, essays, seminars, debates, oral presentations, case studies and project dissertation.
The research project is an essential part of the MSc programme and provides the opportunity to carry out an independent piece research, critically analyse data and write a dissertation. The project will normally include hands-on practical experimentation to teach students how to gather and process data and problem solve. The project is supervised by an academic member of staff and takes place over an extended period during the spring and summer. The project can be based either at Writtle University College or other suitable external institution.
Examples of potential areas for dissertation projects:
Graduates are likely to use their award to secure management-level jobs and/or to improve their promotion prospects if they are already employed both in international and national organisations.
Many opportunities exist in either government services or related agencies services, for example:
There are also numerous career opportunities in companies specialising in farm animal nutrition and pet food manufacturing, breeding and reproduction, veterinary medicines and pharmaceuticals. There also opportunities in charities engaged in animal welfare such as the RSPCA, zoos, animal rescue centres and safari parks. Also, independent wildlife agencies such as the RSPB, Scottish Natural Heritage, Natural England, and the Countryside Council for Wales would be interested in Animal Welfare and Conservation graduates.
Some graduates may take up lecturing positions in universities and colleges or proceed to do further postgraduate study e.g. PhD.
Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018
Harper Adams is the only UK institution to teach general and applied entomology at postgraduate level. The course has a particular focus on conservation and agriculture. There is currently a shortage of expertise in this important topic, which is a key element in the effort to ensure global food security and the understanding of biodiversity. By successfully completing this course you will develop a range of abilities that will prepare for an interesting and fulfilling career in an area with considerable opportunities.
Insects and allied invertebrates comprise approximately 78 per cent of the world’s macro-biodiversity, whereas vertebrates, even using the most generous estimates, make up less than three per cent. Insects and their relatives play an important role in all of our ecosystems. They range from beneficial insects such as pollinators and natural control agents to essential parts of the decomposition cycle such as dung and carrion insects. Many are also important pests of agriculture, horticulture and forestry, in addition to those that cause human health problems.
Many insects are also rare and endangered and need to be managed for conservation. Other insects are used as model organisms for evolutionary and genetic studies.
The aim of the course is to provide students with specialized training in entomology and conservation.
The course will:
The course is intended to provide a detailed understanding of basic and applied entomology and the issues associated with, on the one hand, their ecology and conservation and, on the other, the control of harmful species worldwide. The course is underpinned by an extensive programme of agri-environment research at Harper Adams and longstanding collaborations with research institutes and other organisations in the UK and overseas.
A distinctive and integral feature of our MSc is the high degree of input from entomologists and ecologists in collaborating governmental and non-governmental organizations. This participation takes a variety of forms, including guest lectures, field visits and specific training courses, but may also include providing research projects in their organizations.
Examples of collaborating organizations include The Natural History Museum London, CEH Wallingford, Butterfly Conservation, Bug Life, Horticultural Development Company, Rothamsted Research, and Forest Research.
Having completed the taught part of MSc you will be able to identify insects to at least family level, determine their key characteristics, and critically evaluate the role of insects in managed and natural ecosystems. You will also learn to assess and exploit technology to solve insect-related problems.
The course will focus on producing integrated management solutions that pay due regard to agronomic, social and environmental requirements. Students also learn how to disseminate issues and ideas relating to insect control and conservation to a range of audiences using various methods of communication.
The research project for the MSc will allow you to test hypotheses relevant to pure and applied entomological research by designing, carrying out, analysing and interpreting experiments or surveys. You will also learn to evaluate and interpret data and draw relevant conclusions from existing entomological studies.
The MSc covers a broad range of topics in entomology and conservation and all students receive training in fundamental skills which will enable them to enter an entomological work environment or a research career in ecological entomology or insect conservation. There is, however, considerable flexibility, enabling each student to focus on specialist subjects consistent with their interests and future career intentions.
The Royal Entomological Society typically fund five bursaries each of £4,000 to support the MSc Entomology course. Visit the scholarship page for further details and application information.
The full-time and two year part-time courses are eligible for a postgraduate loan.
The Biologist, 2009
This postgraduate degree course will further your career in the animal behaviour and welfare community, combining classroom and vocational learning. Final Award: MSc Intermediate Awards: PgC, PgD
This MSc programme is designed to develop a post-graduate level understanding of Animal Behaviour and Welfare to prepare students for a career in the industry. Modules of study include:
• Postgraduate Project
• Applied Ethology
• Applied Learning Theory
• Experimental Design and Analysis
• Animal Welfare Science
• Attitudes to animals and ethical considerations
• Animal Health, Physiology and Behaviour
• Principles and Practices in Behaviour Consultation
• Clinical Behaviour Modification and Therapy
*Subject to validation
Modules will be delivered in week blocks (4-5 days) at our main York Campus. Each module (with the exception of the postgraduate project) will be studied over one week block. There will be four weeks per year which students will be expected to attend. 2018-19 block dates* are as follows:
*Dates may be subject to change during validation process. Website will be updated regularly with key information.
Following the completion of this course you may be able to progress to PhD studies.
This is an advanced course for students who want to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of Zoo Management and Conservation following degree-level study in a related subject, subject to validation. Final Award: MSc Intermediate Awards: PgC, PgD
This MSc programme is designed to develop a post-graduate level understanding of Zoo Management and Conservation to prepare students for a career in the industry. Modules of study include:
• Postgraduate Project
• Applied Ethology
• Sustainability within zoos
• Experimental Design and Analysis
• Animal Welfare Science
• Management of Zoos
• Animal Health, Physiology and Behaviour
• Ecosystem Analysis
• Biodiversity and Conservation
*Subject to validation
Modules will be delivered in week blocks (4-5 days) at our main York Campus. Each module (with the exception of the postgraduate project) will be studied over one week block. There will be four weeks per year which students will be expected to attend. 2018-19 block dates* are as follows:
*Dates may be subject to change during validation process. Website will be updated regularly with key information.
Following the completion of this course you may be able to progress to PhD studies.
Postgraduate programmes will be eligible for a postgraduate student loan, details available at: https://www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
The ReNu2Farm project will explore the demand for nutrients and organic matter, at farm and regional levels, with the aim to make a map of regions in North West Europe with their specific nutrient and organic matter needs and propose alternatives to conventional fertilisers derived from recycling.
The project is a large European collaborative effort and involves multiple research partners from academia and industry from Belgium (2), France (1), Germany (2), Ireland (3), Luxembourg (1) and the Netherlands (1). The project is funded by the Interreg NWE (North-West Europe) programme, part of the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).
Nematode analyses will be done mostly using morphological approaches via microscopy based on appropriate keys. In addition, where necessary, molecular techniques will also be utilised to PCR amplify and sequence the 18S rDNA of certain nematode taxa. Data analysis by statistics and bioinformatics will also be carried out and various ecological indices will be calculated to assess the ecological impact of the novel fertilisers to the environment.
This position will provide the opportunity to the successful candidate to complete a Level 9 Master Degree by research, specialising in the environmental field, and most specifically on the ecological impact assessment of recycling derived fertilisers.
• A literature review will be completed by both students as soon as they start to bring them to the state of the art in this area.
• The students will work closely with two Irish partners (Teagasc, University of Limerick) to investigate the impact of fertilisers derived from recycling approaches on the microbiota (nematodes, fungi and bacteria) of Irish grass land soil.
• The successful candidates will have the opportunity to interact in a multidisciplinary European wide research project with important environmental application for sustainable agriculture, with relevant stakeholders in Ireland and in project partner countries.
• The project will involve traveling to trial sites, taking samples of soil and plant material, extracting nematodes, identifying them morphologically, extracting DNA and RNA, purification and quantification of DNA/RNA, sending nucleic acid samples for sequencing analysis, curating and analysing sequencing data and preparing data for publication, both in highly specialised scientific journals, but also in popular science media and project technical reports as required.
• The projects will involve travelling to meetings and conferences as required.
The successful candidates are expected to take up the postgraduate positions no later than September 2018.
Note: Postgraduate fees will be covered and a student stipend will be paid monthly for the duration of the project to each successful applicant.
Please apply to: Dr Thomaé Kakouli-Duarte ([email protected]) on or before 4th June 2018
The ReNu2Farm project will explore the demand for nutrients and organic matter, at farm and regional levels, with the aim to make a map of regions in North West Europe with their specific nutrient and organic matter needs and propose alternatives to conventional fertilisers derived from recycling.
The project is a large European collaborative effort and involves multiple research partners from academia and industry from Belgium (2), France (1), Germany (2), Ireland (3), Luxembourg (1) and the Netherlands (1). The project is funded by the Interreg NWE (North-West Europe) programme, part of the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).
The microbiota (bacteria and fungi) will be analysed using total DNA extraction, library construction, next generation DNA sequencing, bioinformatic and statistical analysis.
This position will provide the opportunity to the successful candidate to complete a Level 9 Master Degree by research, specialising in the environmental field, and most specifically on the ecological impact assessment of recycling derived fertilisers.
• A literature review will be completed by both students as soon as they start to bring them to the state of the art in this area.
• The students will work closely with two Irish partners (Teagasc, University of Limerick) to investigate the impact of fertilisers derived from recycling approaches on the microbiota (nematodes, fungi and bacteria) of Irish grass land soil.
• The successful candidates will have the opportunity to interact in a multidisciplinary European wide research project with important environmental application for sustainable agriculture, with relevant stakeholders in Ireland and in project partner countries.
• The project will involve traveling to trial sites, taking samples of soil and plant material, extracting nematodes, identifying them morphologically, extracting DNA and RNA, purification and quantification of DNA/RNA, sending nucleic acid samples for sequencing analysis, curating and analysing sequencing data and preparing data for publication, both in highly specialised scientific journals, but also in popular science media and project technical reports as required.
• The projects will involve travelling to meetings and conferences as required.
The successful candidates are expected to take up the postgraduate positions no later than September 2018.
Note: Postgraduate fees will be covered and a student stipend will be paid monthly for the duration of the project to each successful applicant.
Please apply to: Dr Thomaé Kakouli-Duarte ([email protected]) on or before 4th June 2018
Relevant to vets, animal health specialists and livestock farmers, the programme addresses contemporary issues of livestock production that have worldwide relevance. The subject areas covered include breeding, nutrition, welfare and disease processes and management.
Graduates of this programme will be able to improve the health and production of livestock through:
- understanding the interaction of livestock with people and the environment
- gaining an overview of the factors that influence livestock production
- implementing control strategies by integrating this knowledge with the principles of epidemiology, economics and disease control within the context of management and infrastructure
- communicating effectively on the health of animal and human populations to a range of audiences including the general public, farmers, politicians, and other key policy makers.
The programme has been developed by academics at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), the oldest and largest veterinary school in the UK and one of the leading veterinary research centres in Europe. In 1999, RVC became the first UK veterinary school to be granted approval by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The RVC also provides support for the veterinary profession through its three referral hospitals, diagnostic services and continuing professional development courses.
Graduates of the programme are employed in a variety of organisations including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), university veterinary faculties and international organisations including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO).
The support you receive includes:
- academic feedback on written assignments
- tutorial support concerning academic matters from RVC staff
- opportunities for local networking and mutual support from other students on the programme
- as all of the study materials you require are mailed to you, there is no requirement to purchase expensive textbooks or spend time trying to locate journals, which may not be available to you locally.
If you have any questions, please contact our Student Advice Centre.
The two-year MSc programme Animal Sciences is a continuation of a BSc in Animal Sciences or an equivalent programme in the field of livestock, companion animals and wildlife. The language of instruction is English. The focus is to deliver skilled professional animal scientists who are well equipped to tackle problems related to sustainable livestock development as well as to the management of livestock and companion animals. The animal-human interaction plays an important role in this study programme. Themes like animal nutrition, animal health, animal welfare, levels of management, genetic diversity and socio-economic factors are all widely discussed.
Today’s specialists in livestock and companion animals need a fundamental scientific training, combined with a critical attitude towards all aspects constraining sustainable development of animal husbandry. The master Animal Sciences, which is unique for the Netherlands, offers the multidisciplinary training necessary for a future career in this field.
On the Programme of Animal Sciences page you can find the general outline of the programme and more detailed information about courses, theses and internships.
Within the master programme you can choose one of the following Specialisations to meet your personal interests.
Next to your specialisation, you can also choose a Professional track. These tracks prepare you for a specific type of career.
Now that you have read all the information about the MSc programme Animal Sciences, you can find at this page what kind of work you can do after you graduate from this programme. Animal scientists find work primarily at universities or in the business sector, such as in the feed and pharmaceutical (veterinary medicines) industries.
Read more about career perspectives and opportunities after finishing the programme.
Related programmes:
MSc Forest and Nature Conservation
MSc Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management
This course covers the scientific theory and practice relating to animal health and welfare. It combines advanced research and academic skills with applied science skills.
There is an emphasis on examining the biology of health and welfare science, while adopting a multidisciplinary approach to the wider subject area. You'll discover how to apply your knowledge to real world situations, such as enhancing agricultural production utilising animals for educational and therapeutic purposes, or effectively maximising welfare within a rescue environment.
You'll study the current issues and insights at the forefront of animal health and welfare, and the philosophical, welfare and ethical issues related to these. You'll explore general patterns in human and animal cognition, behaviour, and psychological functioning, and appreciate how these relate to the application of health and welfare science. The course also critically examines and assesses the biological and social basis of human-animal interactions, with the aim of improving our understanding and the overall quality of these interactions.
On this course you will also evaluate the rigour and validity of published research, and assess its relevance to new situations within the discipline. You'll gain an insight into recent advances n animal science - therefore, attending a relevant scientific conference is strongly advised as an integral part of the course.
You'll be taught using a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical sessions. you will also have opportunities to present your work to peers and academic staff.
Independent learning is required and you will undertake high-quality research. You will research your chosen topic in depth, then design and implement a relevant research project and communicate the findings to an informed audience in a scientific report.
Teaching is supported by our modern Animal Unit which houses over 150 animals of 40 different species. The collection consists of domesticated and exotic species, in settings that are as natural as possible. There are specialist teaching rooms within the Animal Unit which contain various research equipment and essential resources to enhance your learning experience. You'll also benefit from our veterinary and equestrian facilities, as well as the working farm which includes sheep and a herd of Lincoln red beef cattle, and the newly built poultry unit.
Find out more about our Brackenhurst Campus on our website.
Want to find out more about studying with us? Find out more at one of our upcoming open days. Reserve your place.
For more information on our MRes Animal Health and Welfare course, please visit our website.
This course covers the scientific theory and practice relating to animal health and welfare. It combines advanced research and academic skills with applied science skills.
There is an emphasis on examining the biology of health and welfare science, while adopting a multidisciplinary approach to the wider subject area. You'll discover how to apply your knowledge to real world situations, such as enhancing agricultural production utilising animals for educational and therapeutic purposes, or effectively maximising welfare within a rescue environment.
You'll study the current issues and insights at the forefront of animal health and welfare, and the philosophical, welfare and ethical issues related to these. You'll explore general patterns in human and animal cognition, behaviour, and psychological functioning, and appreciate how these relate to the application of health and welfare science. The course also critically examines and assesses the biological and social basis of human-animal interactions, with the aim of improving our understanding and the overall quality of these interactions.
On this course you will also evaluate the rigour and validity of published research, and assess its relevance to new situations within the discipline. You'll gain an insight into recent advances n animal science - therefore, attending a relevant scientific conference is strongly advised as an integral part of the course.
You'll be taught using a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical sessions. you will also have opportunities to present your work to peers and academic staff.
Independent learning is required and you will undertake high-quality research. You will research your chosen topic in depth, then design and implement a relevant research project and communicate the findings to an informed audience in a scientific report.
Teaching is supported by our modern Animal Unit which houses over 150 animals of 40 different species. The collection consists of domesticated and exotic species, in settings that are as natural as possible. There are specialist teaching rooms within the Animal Unit which contain various research equipment and essential resources to enhance your learning experience. You'll also benefit from our veterinary and equestrian facilities, as well as the working farm which includes sheep and a herd of Lincoln red beef cattle, and the newly built poultry unit.
Find out more about our Brackenhurst Campus on our website.
Want to find out more about studying with us? Find out more at one of our upcoming open days. Reserve your place.
For more information on our courses, please visit our website.
