FD (Science) Zoo Animal Management and Conservation

This module is designed to equip you with a broader concept of the diversity found within the animal kingdom and the scientific theories as to how it came to be. It will provide you with knowledge of anatomy and physiology as well as taxonomic and evolutionary principles. This greater awareness of the diversity of life, the underpinning science behind its evolution and its current anatomy and physiology will provide a crucial base understanding to lead into all aspects of zoo animal husbandry and conservation. The module will provide you with insight, knowledge and skills that can then be transferred and developed in all other modules.

This module will enable you to work practically with a large range of large, domestic and exotic species on our well stocked licensed zoo/animal unit. As well as practical animal husbandry experience, this module will also give you a strong foundation in modern zoo husbandry theory and animal health management.

This module will develop your design appraisal skills of animal enclosures using behavioural, nutritional and physiological principles, alongside public needs, perceptions and educational intentions. You will evaluate a range of enclosures from a number of zoological collections analysing them in terms of all stakeholders. You will then investigate the principles of environmental interpretation and its importance to modern zoological collections and design a system of educational, factual and interesting displays for a named collection.

As you are on a vocational course, it is vital that part of the course is undertaken in the workplace. This module allows you to develop knowledge of the workplace including health and safety legislation and employer/employee responsibilities as well as experiencing time in the workplace developing industry specific skills. It allows you to reflect upon your experiences and build future career plans. This module aims to further develop your skills gained in the Level 4 Academic and Industry Skills Development module by providing knowledge, understanding and application of advanced professional industry skills such as zoo management strategy, animal collection and business planning, and the supervision and management of people, including mandatory industry work experience and Continuing Professional Development opportunities (minimum of 75 hours with an expectation of up to 220 hours).

This module will provide you with the opportunity to carry out an investigation that is of relevance or interest to the zoological and or conservation sector. In many cases it is expected that you will have identified a problem or challenge arising from your placement or other work-based learning experiences. You will devise, plan, execute and evaluate a scientific investigation and present your results as a formal scientific report.

In a world where the pressures of an ever-increasing human population are impacting the environment in ever more obvious ways, an ability to monitor, understand, slow and perhaps even reverse the issues we are facing has become essential. In this module you will be introduced to methods and knowledge regarding the current state of the planet, how all life interacts, the human impact on biodiversity and the methods and practises we can use to gain a far greater understanding of the world around us, and our place in working towards a less damaging and more sustainable future.

This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of animal behaviour and its application in animal management. It will allow you to recognise the scientific and historical basis of the study of animal behaviour and its importance in animal husbandry and conservation. In addition, you will investigate the effects of physiology on behaviour and develop understanding of animal societies. This module will also develop your scientific research and analysis skills in preparation for future scientific studies within the course

Through studying this module, you will build on the professional practical skills developed at Level 4, focusing on zoo husbandry routines, diet formulation and health related practices. You will explore the key considerations relating to zoo diet formulation and factors to consider when establishing species specific breeding programmes. In addition, you will explore modern zoo record keeping systems together with relevant zoo legislation and the licencing process for UK based zoological collections.

This module focuses on the chronological progression of animal collections within the UK and the evolution of modern zoo practice in accordance with current and future sociological changes and challenges beyond the 21st century. At the completion of the module, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of the progression and improvement of zoological gardens, from inception to the present day. This knowledge is intended to equip you with the ability to make recommendations for future developments, with emphasis placed on animal welfare and conservation of endangered species.