Animal Science and Management

Effective management of animal systems requires an appreciation of the context in which that management is carried out. This context may be predominantly social, environmental or commercial or combinations thereof.  The application of scientific knowledge in conjunction with an appreciation of context, individual- or societal-goals is the domain of systems analysis and thinking.  This subject aims to develop the skills required to analyse these interactions and support decision-making in animal enterprises.  Students will examine real world situations, and align the scientific with the social. Assessment work will see students required to clearly identify problems to be solved, analyse options for solving the problems and then provide evidence based assessment to support their decisions. It is designed to enable students to work effectively with the owners and managers of animal businesses in bringing about change in their system. 

Formerly DASC30005

This subject allows students to examine the behaviour of farm, companion and laboratory animals and highlights the processes and factors involved in cause and effect manipulating behavioural functionality. The subject will train students to describe, record and measure behaviour, examine the development of behaviour in a range of species; examine the effects of stimuli and communications; motivation, decision making, learning and memory; genetic and hormonal basis of behaviour; organisation, social, sexual, maternal, and dam-neonate interactions.

Topics covered include:

• Describing, recording and measuring behaviour; development of behaviour
• Stimuli and communication
• Motivation and decision making
• Learning and memory
• Genetic influences on behaviour
• Hormonal influences on behaviour
• Organisation of behaviour
• Social behaviour; sexual behaviour
• Maternal behaviour and dam-neonate interactions; and behavioural problems

This subject aims to provide an introduction to the principles and practices in effective operation and improvement of the major livestock industries in Australia. This subject will cover:

• The major livestock industries in terms of size, distribution and value
• Factors that determine the location of the different industries in southern Australia
• Basic annual and seasonal cycles of production
• The feedbase for ruminant and non-ruminant industries
• Basic inputs and outputs, i.e. the roles of genetics, environment, nutrition, reproductive efficiency and health in setting the opportunities and constraints
• Practices that influence profitability, environmental impact
• Product quality
• New and emerging animal industries
• Current and future issues affecting industry development, e.g. welfare and human health concerns

Formerly VETS30011

This subject elaborates on the scientific basis of disease recognition in individual animals and populations of animals. It explores causes of disease in animal populations, the mechanisms of disease processes and their transmission, principles of biosecurity, and the scientific basis of technologies and procedures available for monitoring disease status (diagnostics). Students will acquire skills in a variety of techniques used to monitor the health of populations of animals (ELISA, PCR, microbiology), and will develop abilities in critical analysis of animal health related matters.

Formerly VETS30012

This subject expands on the themes developed in; BIOL30004 Animal Disease Biotechnology 1 and the role of animal health surveillance in maintaining the health of human populations. The subject offers opportunities to develop laboratory skills in areas such as haematology, immuno-histology and reproductive biology.

Formerly DASC30006

The aim of this subject is to give students of animal science a fundamental understanding of both applied reproductive biology and genetics. This will enable students to develop the skills necessary for management of reproductive performance and to implement genetic improvement of domestic animals. The content includes comparative structure and function of reproductive organs; endocrinology and neuro-endocrinology of reproductive cycles; environmental and genetic influences on reproduction, interventions to manipulate reproduction; reproductive biotechnologies including cloning; breeding values and selection indices; inbreeding and crossbreeding; applied animal genomics.

Efficient production relies on keeping animals in their optimal physiological state. The aim of this subject is to provide in depth knowledge of animal physiology as it pertains to the production of food and fibre. Furthermore this subject will cover industry scenarios that compromise efficient production, the impacts on animal physiology and amelioration strategies.

The topics to be covered include: Pathways that regulate growth; Physiology of Lactation; Physiology of Reproduction; Environmental physiology; Muscle biology as it pertains to meat quality; and Feed intake regulation.

This subject introduces students to the management of the major factors influencing the health of production animals. Students will learn the principles of disease and how different aspects of disease impact on production systems. Students should develop an understanding of how management factors can influence the development of disease in production animals, and how the type of production system can alter the risk of disease. Students will consider significant non-infectious and infectious diseases and how they are managed from the point of view of the whole production system.

In this subject, students will develop their understanding of the major factors influencing the health of production animals and understand how management of a production system is key to maximizing health, productivity and profitability. Students will learn about some of the important infectious agents that can affect the major production animal species in Australia with a particular focus on the importance of parasites. This will include obtaining an understanding of the economics of these parasitic diseases within various Australian production management systems and the need for a holistic approach to management to ensure optimal health and productivity.

Students will also learn to interpret data from production systems, in order to evaluate productivity as well as develop an understanding of the financial limitations on production systems, and how health and management strategies must fit within an economical framework, otherwise the business is not viable.