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751-7501-00L 1 Credits BSC D-USYS
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Animal Housing and Behaviour

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Sébastien Goumon, Dr. Jana Müller
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:47:25

Abstract

The overall goal of this course is to provide general knowledge about the behaviour, housing and welfare of domestic animals.

Objective

Students will: - Understand the basis of animal behaviour and how it is measured - Acquire knowledge of housing systems and management of domestic animals - Get a concept of animal needs and welfare

Content

CONTENTS BEHAVIOR • Fundamentals of animal behavior: mechanisms, development, function and evolution • Overview of the natural behavioural repertoire of various livestock species and the resulting needs • Insights in behavioural studies ANIMAL HUSBANDRY • Fundamentals of animal husbandry • Insight in animal transportation and slaughter BEHAVIOR vs. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY • Adapt the husbandry practices to livestock-specific needs • Recurrent problems in livestock management • Concept of animal welfare PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT: 1 written report (20%) + 1 final examination (80% of grade)

Resources

Lecture Notes

Handouts/scripts are provided by the the lecturers.

Literature

Specific literature recommendations will be provided by the lecturers as appropriate

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Ein obligatorisches, benotetes Leistungselement (20%):kurzer Bericht, Aufgabenstellung wird etwa in der Mitte des Kurses ausgeteilt

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Animal Housing and Behaviour
  • Thu 14:15-16:00 (LFO C 13)
1 h weekly

Offered In

  • Environmental Sciences Bachelor (Students can choose between one Bachelor thesis of 10KP or two Bachelor theses of 5KP each. In principle, all professors and lecturers involved in the teaching of the Environmental Sciences degree programme are entitled to supervise a Bachelor's thesis (BA). BA in the area of social sciences and humanities can only be supervised by lecturers who teach in this area. The same applies to BA in the field of natural sciences and technology. If the thesis is supervised by a person who does not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme or who does not have ETH lecturer status, then the student has to fill in the "Form for supervisors of a Bachelor thesis who do not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme" Link)
  • Agricultural Sciences Bachelor