Animal Care and Animal Behaviour

Course Code

OSC1107

Explore the anatomy and physiology of dogs and cats.
Investigate health and safety within the veterinary practice.
Understand the main needs of an animal.
Devise suitable feeding plans.
Learn how to set up suitable accommodation.
Know how to handle animals in the correct way.
Understand the study of the ethics involved in the care, farming and conservation of animals.
Covers the legal, ethical, commercial, agricultural and conservational aspects of animal welfare.
From marine life and elephants in the wild to ethical farming in the UK, this course provides maximum coverage of welfare topics for different animals and their habitats.

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Study Options	Study Online Study Pack
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Animal behaviourists and animal carers enjoy a diverse range of career opportunities, ranging from zookeeping and professional pet training, right through to wildlife conservation and working for animal charities. This bundle of two of our most popular courses, Animal Care and Animal Behaviour, ensures that you know how to meet the moral and legal requirements of caring for animals, as well as equipping you with a clear understanding of animal behaviour.

All course materials will be delivered to you by post or via email, so it couldn’t be easier. Our experienced and friendly tutors will help you every step of the way by email.

You can work at your own pace. Completed coursework can be delivered by post or via email, so handing in an assignment is simple.

These courses can be enrolled onto separately, but by enrolling onto this combined course you will receive a considerable discount.

Course Duration

Up to 2 years.

Study Hours

Approximately 160 hours.

Course Outcome

You will receive two certificates of completion in Animal Care Level 2 and Animal Behaviour Level 3.

Entry Requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this course.

Assessment

Tutor-marked assignments.

Animal Behaviour Level 3

What is animal behaviour?
The study of animal behaviour
Methods and recording
Results

The food chain
Evolutionary arms race
Adaptations to capture prey
Luring prey
Crypsis (Camouflage, transparency, sleep cycles)

How animals communicate
Competition from other species
Communication and the senses
Visual displays
Group or solitary?
Hierarchy systems in group living animals

Attracting a potential mate
Mating systems and parental responsibility
Monogamy and polygyny
Mating systems
Imprinting

What is domestication?
Breeds
How does domestication change the animal?
Hibernation
Hormones and their effects
Abnormal behaviours

Instinct
Simple learning theories
Animal learning in training
Human influence
Ethics in training and the welfare of animals
Animal intelligence
Training animals

Animal Care Level 2

Types of feeder
Nutritional requirements
Vitamins
Minerals
Choosing and preparing food
Quantity and timing of feeding

Housing requirements
Bedding materials
Fixtures and fittings
Cleaning and maintaining
Waste disposal

Disease prevention
Common diseases of dogs, cats and rabbits
Endoparasites and ectoparasites
Signs of ill health
First aid procedures and remedies

Why do we need to handle, restrain and move animals?
Personal protective equipment
Handling and restraint equipment
Reducing stress

Normal behaviour
Emotions
Specific species
Abnormal behaviour
Stereotypic behaviour
Observing behaviour
Methods and recording
Avoiding/reducing abnormal behaviour
Environmental enrichment

Welfare needs
How can we meet these needs?
The Animal Welfare Act 2006
Current legislation
Animals in production
Intensive farming
Free-range farming
Organic farming
Animals in sport
Animals as assistance

Assessment

This combined course is assessed through a series of written assignments, which are submitted to and marked by your tutor. There is no external examination required.

Course Duration

Once enrolled, you will have two years to complete this bundle (one year per course), which will allow you to work at your own pace, without the pressure of tight deadlines. You will also receive 12 months tutor support for each course, so you can feel confident that you’ll get the help you need. This bundle will take you approximately 160 hours. Studying around your work and family commitments has never been easier.

Study Method

You will study this course by distance learning, which will enable you to learn when and where you want. You can study from home or at work; it is completely up to you. All your materials will be posted or emailed to you online, whichever you choose. You will also receive our tutor support by email, so help is only a click away!

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course successful learners will receive two Certificate’s of Achievement by Training Qualifications UK (TQUK).

The completion of this course alone does not lead to an Ofqual regulated qualification but may be used as evidence of knowledge and skills towards regulated qualifications in the future. The unit summary can be used as evidence towards your Recognition of Prior Learning if you wish to progress your studies in this sector.

Awarding Body

The course itself has been designed by Open Study College to meet specific learners’ or employers’ requirements. The course has been endorsed by TQUK. This means Open Study College have undergone external quality checks to ensure that the organisation and the courses’ it offers meet a high standard. Regular reviews of our courses are carried out as part of the endorsement process.

The course depth and study has been benchmarked at Level 2 and Level 3 against level descriptors published by Ofqual.

Dedicated personal tutor support
Dedicated student support
Assignment marking and feedback
FREE CV critique service
FREE employability guide to help you impress future employers
FREE XO Student Discounts membership
* Comprehensive study guide
* Open Study College pen and highlighter
* Student notebook

* Not included with the online study option

It's not a problem. We offer a course replacement service, so if you get into trouble and your course pack is lost or damaged, our Student Support Team can provide you with a new set of materials for a one-time additional fee.