Overview
This unit will provide you with an holistic approach to evaluating and maintaining animal health and well-being in a variety of settings, with a particular focus on livestock industries. You will learn about the key concepts of animal welfare and their applications, as well as the cause, impact, treatment and prevention of animal diseases, including selected exotic and zoonotic diseases. You will develop practical and technical skills that can be used to address animal health and welfare challenges. You will explore some of the regulations regarding animal health and welfare and develop strategies for implementing these in a variety of settings, especially livestock supply chains. You will learn about the importance of animal health and welfare to the economic and social outputs of animal-based industries both in Australia and overseas.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2021
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Residential Schools
This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from In-Class and via Assessment
Diversity of student knowledge on Livestock Health and Welfare at outset of the term.
There is a diversity of knowledge about livestock health and welfare among the AGRI12001 cohort which should be addressed and considered by the unit coordinator. This should be achieved through a baseline questionnaire at the commencement of term. This will allow the unit coordinator to identify and address any knowledge gaps that exist among the cohort.
Feedback from Moodle "Have Your Say"
Improvement in student feedback return time and feedback depth.
Students requested more feedback in their returned assessment and a greater depth of feedback. While students received individualized feedback, they were notified that they could request more feedback from the unit coordinator if they wished to receive more in-depth feedback. This should be reiterated again in future iterations of this unit. The unit coordinator should strive to improve assessment feedback turn around times, however, students should be reminded that assessment return dates are 10 working days from the date of submission.
Feedback from Email and In-Class
Student access to journal articles and databases.
Some students stated that they were unable to access databases and journal articles relevant to AGRI12001 content (livestock health and welfare). They commented that feedback from library staff indicated that certain databases/journals are not available but could be made available upon request from the unit coordinator. Students should be reminded to contact the unit coordinator as soon as they are aware of databases or journals that are not available through the library or open access.
- Evaluate the health and welfare of animals
- Develop and implement animal health and welfare strategies
- Critique animal welfare codes of practice and legislation
- Discuss the link between animal health and livestock production economics.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Presentation - 20% | ||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 50% | ||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Presentation - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Access to a spreadsheet program such as Excel
- PowerPoint
- Word processing software such as MS Word
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.sinai@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Animal Health and Welfare - Why Does it Matter?
Chapter
Readings for this unit will be provided via Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Principles of Animal Disease
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Biosecurity and Market Access
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Integumentary System and Ectoparasites
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Musculoskeletal & Nervous Systems
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Digestive System and Nutritional Diseases
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Reproductive System and Developmental Disorders
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Residential School
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Animal Stress and the Endocrine System
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Animal Welfare Innovations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Zoonoses
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Presentation
Assessment 1 is a presentation-based assessment relating to the connection between livestock health and market access. Assessment 1 consists of two parts: an individual task and a group task. The group task is worth 10% of the unit. Both parts are due on the same day, Friday the 9th of April at 11:45PM.
Part 1 of Assessment 1 requires your pre-assigned group of three to four students to prepare and present a 15-minute, pre-recorded PowerPoint (or similar) presentation which one member of your group will upload to Moodle. In Part 1 your group will be assigned a national livestock traceability system in a country other than Australia. You must review this system and analyse the role that it plays in enhancing market access capabilities of the relevant national livestock industry. All group members will receive the same mark for this assessment. Your presentation should be presented in the following format:
- Introduction and overview of the presentation
- Introduction to the relevant country and its livestock industry.
-
Analysis of the assigned national livestock traceability system. This may include:
o Historical context.
o Livestock species included in the system.
o How the traceability system enables market access.
o Strengths.
o Weaknesses. -
Future directions for the assigned national livestock traceability system, including:
o Opportunities for expansion and development.
o Limitations to expansion and development. - Conclusion.
- References (you must include at least 15).
In Part 2, the individual component of Assessment 1, you are to select one from a list of livestock diseases and discuss its economic impact on a global livestock industry. Each disease will be associated with a particular livestock species. You are to complete this assessment as a 5-minute, pre-recorded PowerPoint (or similar) presentation which you will upload to Moodle. The individual task is worth 10%. Your presentation must include:
• Introduction to the disease, including:
o Pathogen/causative agent.
o Mode of transmission.
o Pathogenesis.
o Impact on livestock.
o Any past or current outbreaks.
• The economic impact on livestock production and trade.
• Diagnostic, prevention and treatment options including globally coordinated control programs.
• Conclusion.
• References (You must include at least 7)
Week 5 Friday (9 Apr 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021)
For Part 1 you will be marked based on your:
1. Ability to describe the relevant livestock industry.
2. Analysis of the assigned national livestock traceability system, with particular attention to market access.
3. All other presentation content as outlined in the format.
4. Clear and professional communication.
5. Adherence to the time limit.
6. The use of references to support your claims.
For Part 2 you will be marked based on your:
1. Ability to outline the scientific and economic aspects of the presentation
2. Ability to adhere to the format provided.
3. Clear and professional communication.
4. Adherence to the time limit.
5. The use of references to support your claims.
- Discuss the link between animal health and livestock production economics.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Written Assessment
Assessment 2 is a 2000-word written assessment and requires you to critique animal welfare codes of practice and legislation. In this assessment you will be asked to respond to five statements based on animal welfare codes of practice and legislation in Australia and elsewhere. These statements will be based on the material covered in weeks four to eight. You must respond to each statement separately (therefore the word count for each statement is 400 words). You must critique the statement in light of the animal welfare literature. In forming your critique, you should draw on peer-reviewed journal articles, government documents, industry reports and news media from reputable sources.
Week 9 Monday (10 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Monday (24 May 2021)
You will be assessed on:
- Your understanding and analysis of animal welfare codes of practice and legislation
- Your use of scientific, sociological, economic, political and other evidence to support your position
- Your adherence to the word count (within allowable 10% leeway)
- Clear and understandable writing
- Consistent and relevant referencing
- Any formatting with regards to figures, table and graphs, including clear captions
- Your ability to draw on a variety of resources, mostly from peer-reviewed academic journal articles, government documents and industry publications to support your claims
- Critique animal welfare codes of practice and legislation
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Practical and Written Assessment
Assessment 3 is comprised of two parts.
Part 1 is a practical assessment and is worth 20% (10/50) for Assessment 3. In Part 1 you must successfully complete five animal health and welfare practical tasks during the AGRI12001 Residential School in week 9. Examples of these tasks include: Dissection and sample collection of organs, ectoparasite identification, completing a blood-smear, wound treatment and toxic weed identification.
Part 2 of Assessment 3 is a written report based on the results generated during the residential school and is worth 80% (40/50) for Assessment 3. The written report will require you to develop a range of strategies related to the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a range of animal health and welfare issues relevant to material covered in the residential school. A template will be provided to you for completing this assessment. The health and welfare strategies you develop in response to this assessment must be based on evidence gathered from reputable sources including peer-reviewed journal articles, industry reports and government documents. The total word count for this assessment is 2500 words, not including headings, figure legends, tables and references.
Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Part 1 is to be completed during the residential school. Part 2 is due on Friday 04/06/2021 at 11:45PM
Exam Week Friday (18 June 2021)
You will be assessed on:
- Your understanding of the basic biology of livestock diseases/health issues and how they impact livestock production
- Your understanding of animal welfare issues
- Your understanding of prevention, biosecurity and treatment strategies
- Your ability to identify, analyse and explain relevant laws, regulations and disease reporting requirements
- Your adherence to the word count (within allowable 10% leeway)
- Clear and understandable writing
- Consistent and relevant referencing
- Any formatting with regards to figures, table and graphs, including clear captions
- Your ability to draw on a variety of resources, mostly from peer-reviewed academic journal articles, government documents and industry publications to support your claims
- Evaluate the health and welfare of animals
- Develop and implement animal health and welfare strategies
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
