AD3ABS: Advances in Bioveterinary Sciences

Module code: AD3ABS

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Zoe Barker , email: z.e.barker@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 12 May 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

What are the major contemporary issues impacting the animal sector today, why do they matter and how can science and technology research help address them? What is the latest thinking and methodology in animal welfare science research? What impact does keeping animals/livestock have on our environment and how can we reduce environmental footprint of animals under human management?  What are the emerging issues affecting global animal health? You’ll gain a more advanced understanding of a range of contemporary animal sector challenges and knowledge of scientific approaches and techniques that researchers use at the forefront of the sector to tackle these,  through lectures, critical discussion and independent project work.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Critically evaluate the challenges affecting the animal industry and the bioveterinary sector
2. Critically review scientific research and innovation to date that is designed to tackle these challenges
3. Apply and critically evaluate evidence in discussion and defense of a specific issue requiring a solution, and its research and innovation priorities

Module content

Module topics may include:

• Advanced topics in animal behaviour and welfare science including cognition, affective state, personality, choice/preference and latest welfare research methodologies
• Environmental impacts of animal production e.g. excretion of N & P containing compounds - synthesis and alleviation, methane production by ruminants - synthesis and alleviation
• Animal health – ongoing challenges and emerging issues including antimicrobial resistance, gut microbiome and metabolome, emerging disease threats and zoonoses
• Sustainability in animal nutrition e.g. protein and feed inputs
• Animal products as food, impact on human health, manipulation of animal diets to improve food nutritional value
• Breeding and genetics advances for optimizing performance and resilience e.g. marker assisted selection and genetic diversity challenges
• Technologies for the animal industry, including precision livestock farming.

Students will also enhance/develop a range of transferrable skills including time management, information appraisal and selection and communication skills for different audiences.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module comprises of a series of lectures and seminars presenting and then critically discussing contemporary issues in the bioveterinary and animal sectors, and how advances/research in science and technology are helping to address these. The module will be team taught, drawing on a range of staff research expertise. 

Study hours

At least 44 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.