PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

for a Programme Leading to an Award of

MSc Animal Welfare (Equine Behaviour and Welfare)

The University of Northampton

1 Awarding Institution / The University of Northampton
2 Teaching Institution / MoultonCollege and The University of Northampton
3 Programme Accreditation / N/A
4 Final Award / MSc/ Post Graduate Diploma/ Post Graduate Certificate
5 Title of Programme/Route/Pathway / MSc Animal Welfare (Equine Behaviour and Welfare)
6 UCAS Code / Not Applicable
7 Benchmarking Group (QAA or other) where appropriate / MSc Specifications
8 Educational aims of Programme
The aims of this programme are;
To provide training for students in skills associated with postgraduate learning, particularly the approaches, methods and techniques required for research in the equine field.
To develop the student’s abilities in terms of independent thinking, analytical rigour, critical evaluation, professional development and employability skills.
To develop in the student a critical awareness of the principles on which the assessment of equine behaviour and welfare are based so that new or unusual situations can be appraised and evaluated and justified recommendations made.
To provide the opportunity for students to pursue their particular interest by studying some aspects of equine behaviour and welfare in greater depth at masters degree level.
To provide a learning environment and community in which students can develop and pursue their own learning within a sound framework of study leading to a common body of advanced knowledge.
To develop the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development
9 Learning outcomes of a programme and teaching, learning and assessment strategies
State the learning outcomes for the award and the teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable students to achieve and demonstrate these outcomes.

A Knowledge and understanding

A1 Critically evaluate the ways in which moral and ethical frameworks influence attitudes to equines in different cultures and historical periods
A2 Integrate detailed knowledge of brain function with the assessment of behaviour, temperament and personality in animals, specialising in equines
A3 Synthesise and apply theoretical knowledge relating to equine welfare in applied settings
A4 Critically evaluate current research and equine management strategies and demonstrate their appropriate application to new situations / Teaching/learning methods
Lectures, tutorial and seminar sessions, field work and student centred learning
Assessment
  • Essays
  • Time constrained assessment
  • Seminar presentations
  • Written assessments
  • Practical Fieldwork projects
  • Research Thesis

B Subject specific/practical skills
B1 Critically evaluate the range of methods available for the assessment of equine behaviour and welfare
B2 Critically assess the link between animal cognition and animal welfare
B3 Justify improvements and changes to equine management systems to improve welfare, based on theoretical principles and research findings
B4 Relate skills acquired throughout the course to the critical assessment of equine welfare in unfamiliar settings. /

Teaching/Learning methods

Lectures, tutorial and seminar sessions, field work and student centred learning
Assessment
  • Essays
  • Time constrained assessment
  • Seminar presentations
  • Written assessments
  • Practical Fieldwork projects
  • Research Thesis

C Key skills

C1 Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks in complex and unpredictable situations
C2 Engage confidentlyin academic and professional communication with specialist and non-specialist audiences
C3 Develop the independent learning ability required for continuing professional study
C4 Manage the ethical issues associated with research involving animal subjects and work proactively to achieve appropriate solutions
C5 Work effectively in group situations and make appropriate use of the skills of group members
C6 Demonstrate the ability to understand, interpret and use numerical and graphical information accurately and effectively /

Teaching/learning methods

Lectures, tutorial and seminar sessions, field work and student centred learning
Assessment
  • Essays
  • Time constrained assessment
  • Seminar presentations
  • Written assessments
  • Practical Fieldwork projects
  • Research Thesis

10 Key skills strategy
Key skills development is integrated and holistic throughout the modules of the programme. Students will have a number of opportunities to develop these skills through taught activities, field work, case studies, assessments, tutorials and group activities. Key skills are assessed through the completion of module assignments.
The tutorial process and personal development portfolio are also used to embed key skills and to encourage students to reflect on their performance and further develop their abilities as life long learners.
See Key Skills Map in Appendix 2
11 Assessment strategy
All modules available for the MSc in Equine Behaviour and Welfare are assessed by coursework. There are no formal examinations although time constrained assessments are used as a means of assessing factual knowledge of theories and concepts. The course work takes a variety of forms with between 2 and 3 items of assessment per module.
Assessment methods are varied and include
Reports – written assessments requiring a critical evaluation of underpinning concepts and theories, an assessment of current practice or evaluation of specific aspects of animal welfare.
TCA – a time constrained assessment that may take the form of a test of knowledge and understanding or an activity requiring a response within a fixed timeframe.
Essay – a written assessment generally requiring evaluation and critical review of established theoretical frameworks and the application of theory to practical contexts
Fieldwork projects – practical activities, that may involve aspects of group work, requiring the design and implementation of a fieldwork plan. These generally require some form of individual report of outcomes.
Seminar – a student led session involving presentation of material in a variety of forms and the stimulation of debate or discussion. Seminars may be led by individuals or groups.
Research Thesis – a major part of the MSc programme. Requires the design, implementation and reporting of an extended practical research project with evaluation and critical review of the current status of knowledge in a selected subject area. .
Emphasis is principally on individual work although some data collection and fieldwork exercises may require group collaboration. The module assessments have been designed so that students can demonstrate achievement of the specified learning outcomes.
See the Assessment map at Appendix 3
12 Programme structure
See award map.
13 Admissions Policy and criteria
The University of Northampton admissions policy applies.
Applicants will normally be expected to have a lower second-class honours degree or better in a relevant discipline (such as animal science, animal management, equine science etc) but applicants from other disciplines may be admitted where they can demonstrate a willingness and ability to tackle the programme. Practical competence with regard to the husbandry and management of a range of animal species will be an important criterion for entry to this programme. International students will need to demonstrate an equivalent level of qualification as well as meeting the University’s requirements in terms of English Language proficiency (IELTS 6.5).
Within the existing University framework for APL/APEL, candidates who can demonstrate an appropriate level of learning and achievement will be considered. The essential element is for a candidate to demonstrate that, through prior learning and experiential learning, they have achieved a level of knowledge and understanding, both general and subject specific, together with the range of key skills that might be expected of an honours graduate in a relevant discipline.
14 Assessment Regulations
Modular framework (UMF) regulations apply, including any proposed supplementary regulations.
15 Support for learning
Student learning and individual support is provided by the following mechanisms
  • Tailored induction programme at the start of the programme
  • Allocation of personal tutor, individual and group tutorial sessions
  • Allocation of research project tutors to support the research thesis
  • Specialist resources including equestrian centre, commercial mixed farm enterprise, animal unit and therapy centre, equine unit, Oakham veterinary practice, equine therapy centre, specialist library and IT resources.
Careers advice sessions and wider college support systems including wardens, counsellor, chaplain and student services team.
At institutional level support includes those services offered by Learning Resources, IT Services and Student Services (please refer to The University of Northampton’s website: and click on current students). In addition, the Centre for Achievement & Performance provides support for study skills.
16 Evaluation and quality enhancement
The University of Northampton has several methods of monitoring and enhancing academic quality and standards, these include:
External Examiners
Boards of Study with student representation
Boards of Examiners
Annual Review at Field and School level
Periodic Subject Review
Student Evaluation
Moderation Policies
QSEC/SSEC
HE Academic Board
17 Date of approval or revision / New pathway approved at PAC (May 2011)
Reviewed PSR – 14/15
18 Appendices
Appendix 1 / Award Map (Curriculum Team official version ONLY)
Appendix 2 / Key Skills Map (use templates when available)
Appendix 3 / Assessment Map

Guidance on preparing programme specifications is available on the QAA website at:

The University of Northampton

Academic Quality and Standards Handbook – Appendix 3J

March 2009