What you'll study
This course is comprised of both compulsory and optional modules, which you'll be able to choose from to suit your interests and career goals.
You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the key topics in the field of human-animal interaction. Core subjects will range from psychology, animal behaviour and welfare, and anthrozoology, to biology and animals in society.
Optional modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands - you'll find recent topics studied below. You can attend introductory sessions for optional modules before deciding which ones to study.
Module credits
On successful completion of your modules, you’ll gain academic credit that accumulates towards your award. The marks you gain in your second and final year contribute towards your final degree classification.
You’ll explore how animals are used in different human-animal interactions and how their wellbeing can be ensured. You’ll delve deeper into human psychology and start to consider research ideas for your final year dissertation. Choose optional modules that match your interests and goals, whether that’s the inclusion of animals in the classroom, their training, or the nuances of equine behaviour.
Compulsory Modules
Psychology for Anthrozoology
The application of psychology to human-animal interactions; such as abnormal, consumer and evolutionary psychology.
Human Behaviour Change for Animals
Appreciate and apply the principles of how we can positively influence human behaviour in relation to animals and the environment.
Animal-Assisted Interventions
Explore the contexts, such as therapy, the legal and ethical frameworks, and critically evaluate the evidence for the effects of such interactions on humans and animals.
Measuring Animal Behaviour
Design and implement studies that measure animal behaviour. Learn a range of methods supporting measurement in a variety of contexts, such as captive and wild.
Research Methods for Agricultural and Animal Scientists
This module introduces students to the process of academic research, methods of research and analysis, helping to prepare them for reading research literature and conducting research projects in the future.
Animals in Education
You will learn the roles that animals can play in educational settings, both formally and informally. You will evaluate the evidence base for their use, and analyse how their welfare can be safeguarded.
Optional Modules
Professional Experience in the Animal Sector 1
Reflect on and evaluate a period of industry experience within the animal sector.
Companion Animal Behaviour and Training
This module will examine the behaviour and psychology of the domestic dog and cat and our ability to train these animals to meet our own needs. This module will investigate the role of training in the daily training for obedience, enrichment and husbandry practices. This will include evaluation of the different approaches to training of such animals, the ethical considerations and the justification of methods used.
Introduction to Equine Behaviour
Develop an understanding of behaviour of horses and the neurological pathways resulting in the development of these behaviours.
Integrated placement year (optional)
An optional integrated placement year between your second and final years allows you to put your knowledge and skills into practice and gain valuable industry experience. You could work within a zoo, rescue centre or laboratory, to learn more about how humans and animals interact.
You’ll also spend time working on your dissertation project. It’s a substantial research project exploring a topic of your choice. Placement opportunities within schools are often utilised to work collaboratively on projects relating to your dissertation.
If teaching is your goal, you’ll also use this year to start applying for teaching training routes, including PGCE’s. We’ll run a mock-PGCE interview day to support you through this process. You can also use this year to tailor your studies to suit a career outside teaching, if that’s what you prefer.
Level six (final year)
Your final year allows you to focus on areas of particular interest for your future career. You’ll undertake a research dissertation project, which enables you to experience being responsible for planning, implementing and reporting on a specialist topic. You’ll be exposed to contemporary challenges in the field of anthrozoology, build on your understanding of psychology, and can opt to study Cognitive Ethology, or delve deeper into companion animal or equine welfare.
Compulsory Modules
Animal and Agriculture Dissertation
This module involves independent research and analysis in an animal or agriculture‐related field with one-to‐one support from an academic.
Contemporary Issues in Anthrozoology
Current developments in the field of anthrozoology such as human-animal interactions, animal-assisted therapy, animal-assisted interventions and animals in education.
Applied Psychology for Anthrozoology
Advanced concepts in psychology such as forensic psychology, neuropsychology, clinical psychology and positive psychology.
Professional Experience in the Animal Sector 2
Undertake a period of volunteering within the sector to apply the theory learnt to date into practice.
Optional Modules
Cognitive Ethology
Develop the ability to critically evaluate the evidence supporting cognitive abilities in non-human animals.
Equine Ethics and Welfare
Students will build their knowledge of ethical philosophy and key equine welfare contributors/research to enable discussion of contemporary industry issues.
Welfare of Companion Animals
Enhance your knowledge of the welfare assessment and safeguarding of animals kept as companions (e.g. dogs, cats, horses), exploring how variation in the human-animal bond has impacted on their welfare.
Furthermore, you'll explore how animal welfare can be practically assessed and positive changes enacted in these real-world contexts.
