CQUniversity Unit Profile
AGRI12001 Animal Health and Welfare
Animal Health and Welfare
All details in this unit profile for AGRI12001 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

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

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 7
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

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 - 2023

Bundaberg
Emerald
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

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.

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Presentation
Weighting: 20%
2. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 50%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 (Residential School)

Feedback

Some students attended the residential school without the requisite basic knowledge expected. This had the impact of delaying progress and activities in the residential school.

Recommendation

The residential school practical assessment should include an initial quiz-like assessment to ensure that students adequately prepare and review learning material prior to attending the residential school

Feedback from Student Unit Evaluation

Feedback

Improvement in assessment feedback time.

Recommendation

Student feedback time should be improved and/or reasons for delays more readily communicated to students.

Feedback from Student Unit Evaluation and Assessment

Feedback

Continue with diversified residential school approach.

Recommendation

Students found that the diverse elements of the residential school were both engaging and informative. This should continue with updated material to ensure that practical activities remain relevant to current animal health and welfare issues.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Evaluate the health and welfare of animals
  2. Develop and implement animal health and welfare strategies
  3. Critique animal welfare codes of practice and legislation
  4. Discuss the link between animal health and livestock production economics.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

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 and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following 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
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Saba Sinai Unit Coordinator
s.sinai@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2023

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

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Principles of Animal Disease

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Biosecurity and Market Access

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Integumentary System 1

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Australia's Livestock Biosecurity Presentation Due: Both PART A (Presentation) and PART B (response to questions) will be delivered together during a live presentation in Week 4 (27/03/2023 - 31/03/2023). Slides for the presentation (PART A) must be submitted to Moodle by Week 4 Monday (27 March 2023) 9:00 am AEST.

Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Integumentary System 2

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Musculoskeletal and Nervous Systems 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Circulatory and Respiratory Systems

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

Residential School: 05/05/2023 to 07/05/2023

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Practical Activities and Report Due: Part A will be completed on the first day of the residential school (Friday 5 May 2023). Part B will be completed during the residential school (Friday 5 May 2023 to Sunday 7 May 2023).

Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

Digestive System 1: Infectious diseases of the digestive system

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

Digestive System 2: Nutrition and Toxicology

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

Reproductive and Endocrine Systems

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Practical Activities and Report Due: Part C Due Week 11 Tuesday (23 May 2023) 11:45pm AEST

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Zoonoses and Complex Biosecurity

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Animal Welfare Legislation Assessment Due: Week 12 Wednesday (31 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Presentation

Assessment Title
Australia's Livestock Biosecurity Presentation

Task Description

Assessment 1 is a presentation-based two part assessment relating to Australia's livestock health and biosecurity organisations. Both PART A (Group presentation) and PART B (Individual assessment, response to questions) will be delivered together during a live presentation in Week 4 (27/03/2023 - 31/03/2023). Students will be able to select a preferred presentation time via a resource on the AGRI12001 Moodle site. Slides for the presentation (PART A) must be submitted to Moodle by Monday of Week 4 at 9am AEST (27 March 2023).

Assessment 1 PART A Group presentation (15%)

You will be pre-assigned a group and an organisation that contributes to the biosecurity and economic performance of Australia’s livestock industry. Your group must prepare a 15-minute PowerPoint (or similar) presentation and present it, with all members present, during Week 4 (you will be able to chose from one of a list of available times through Moodle). In your presentation you must discuss how the assigned organisation contributes to the biosecurity and economic performance of Australia's livestock production sector. All group members will receive the same mark for PART A. Your presentation should be presented in the following format:

  1. Introduction and overview of the presentation
  2. Outline and analysis of the assigned organisation. This may include:
    o Historical context.
    o Roles and responsibilities.
    o Funding and legislation.
    o Size, location (if relevant), expertise, relevant legislation.
    o Strengths and Weaknesses
    o Any recent news or developments.
  3. Relationship with other organisations within the Australian Livestock Health Community (you will be provided with a list of other organisations).
  4. Future directions of the organisation:
    o Opportunities.
    o Emerging biosecurity, regulatory or economic challenges.
    o Viable strategies to strengthen the work of the organisation.
  5. Statement of contribution (listing what each member of your group has contributed to the presentation)
  6. Conclusion.
  7. References (you must include at least 15).

Assessment 1 PART B Individual assessment, response to questions (5%)

Each member of the group will be required to respond to at least two questions after the conclusion of the presentation. The questions may relate to any aspect of the presentation.


Assessment Due Date

Both PART A (Presentation) and PART B (response to questions) will be delivered together during a live presentation in Week 4 (27/03/2023 - 31/03/2023). Students will be able to select a preferred presentation time via a resource on the AGRI12001 Moodle site. Slides for the presentation (PART A) must be submitted to Moodle by 9am AEST on Monday March 27.


Return Date to Students

Vacation Week Friday (14 Apr 2023)


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

For Part A you will be marked based on your:

1. Ability to describe and analyse the relevant organisation.

2. All other presentation content as outlined in the format.

3. Clear and professional communication.

4. Adherence to the time limit.

5. The use of references to support your claims.


For Part B you will be marked based on your:

1. Ability to insightfully and clearly answer the questions

2. Clear and professional communication.

3. The use of references to support your claims where necessary.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Submission Instructions
One member of the group should submit the slides for Part A via Moodle. All students must be present for the live presentation.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the link between animal health and livestock production economics.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Activities and Report

Task Description

Assessment 2 is comprised of three parts.

PART A Residential School Test (15%):

You will be required to complete a written test during the first session of the Residential School in Week 8. The test will consist of 30 questions, a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions. The test will be based on material covered in Weeks 1 to 7, related to the Residential School. Practice questions and more information will be provided through Moodle.

PART B Practical Attendance & Booklet (15%):

You must successfully attend the AGRI12001 Residential School in Week 8, and complete the practical booklet.

PART C Written Report (20%):

Based on the skills learnt during PART B Practical Booklet and the results generated during the AGRI12001 Residential School, you will be required to develop a range of strategies related to the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a range of animal health and welfare issues in the form of a written report. 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 2000 words, not including headings, figure legends, tables and references.


Assessment Due Date

Part A will be completed on the first day of the residential school (Friday 5 May 2023). Part B will be completed during the residential school (Friday 5 May 2023 to Sunday 7 May 2023). Part C is due on Tuesday Week 11 (23 May 2023) at 11:45pm AEST.


Return Date to Students

Marks for Parts A and B will be released no later than the end of Week 10. Feedback and marks for Part C will be released by Tuesday of Review/Exam Week (6 June 2023)


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

You will be assessed on:

  • Your knowledge of concepts in weeks 1 to 7
  • Your attendance at the residential school
  • Your successful completion of all practical tasks associated with the residential school
  • 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


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Part A and B will be completed during the residential school. Part C must be submitted through Moodle in doc or docx format.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate the health and welfare of animals
  • Develop and implement animal health and welfare strategies


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Animal Welfare Legislation Assessment

Task Description

Assessment 3 (worth 30%) is a written assessment that requires you to critique animal welfare codes of practice and legislation. You will critique five statements based on animal welfare issues, codes of practice and legislation in Australia and internationally that were covered in the learning material for Weeks 1 to 10. In forming your critique, you should draw on peer-reviewed journal articles, government documents, legislation, industry reports and news media from reputable sources. Each statement has a maximum word count of 400 words (2,000 words in total for the five statements).


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Wednesday (31 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Wednesday (14 June 2023)


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

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


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission through Moodle in doc or docx format.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Critique animal welfare codes of practice and legislation


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

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?