Module Information

Module Identifier
BDM5420
Module Title
Ruminant Production
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Mr Neil Mackintosh
Semester
Distance Learning
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Forum Posts  25%
Semester Assessment Case report on a ruminant production system  30%
Semester Assessment Essay on an aspect of ruminant production  45%
Supplementary Assessment Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure.  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Evaluate the components of ruminant production systems.

2. Review and evaluate scientific literature and apply results to the development of ruminant production systems.

3. Explain how science can be applied to the improvement of ruminant production.

4. Discuss ethical and social issues related to the application of animal sciences.

Brief description

The module will look at how you measure performance both financially and physically, before taking the students through the different types of production systems. The module will then look at breeding, nutrition, animal health and welfare, and handling systems. In the final unit of the module will look at possible future systems of ruminant production and how the research show cased earlier in the module could help such systems.

Content

The focus of this module is on how to increase the efficiency of both intensive and extensive ruminant production systems. It draws upon research within IBERS and elsewhere and will cover topics including: the basics of performance measuring; the latest research on ruminant genetics and using this to reduce the environmental impact of production. You will explore the fundamental genetics and physiology that underpin animal production in terms of: reproductive technology; genetic improvement; dairy cattle production systems; meat production systems; meat and milk quality; disease prevention and management.

The module's units consist of:

Global production/supply chains/Producing safe and healthy food/Measuring performance and management methods/Reducing impacts/Ruminant behaviour and welfare/Reproduction/Genetics/Nutrition/Ruminant health/Production systems of the future.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Students will be working with financial figures when discussing the finances of systems throughout the module and in the case report.
Communication Students will be expected to be able to express themselves appropriately in their assignments.
Improving own Learning and Performance Detailed feedback will be given for assignment work.
Information Technology Students will be required to source information from a variety of scientific publication data bases.
Personal Development and Career planning The students will be asked to consider how the research they are learning about might improve ruminant production systems that they have experience of through the forum posts.
Problem solving Students will be required to discuss and provide possible solutions to current scientific problems in the field of ruminant production.
Research skills Students will be required to undergo directed self-study and will develop their literature research skills.
Subject Specific Skills Research methodology of ruminant production.
Team work Online assessments will require students to debate among themselves to develop a consensus of opinion.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7