AVBS1003: Semester 1, 2022

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Units AVBS1003 Semester 1 2022 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

AVBS1003: Animals and Us

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

We live in a world surrounded by and dependent on animals. Australia has one of the highest rates of animal ownership in the world: dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and reptiles being common. In this unit, you explore animals in society (including companion, pocket and pet, wildlife and zoo animals). You will investigate relationships between humans and animals and normal function of animals including development, disease, aging and death. This unit will describe how human and animal health are related, outline legislation and policies on the care and use of animals, cover topical issues in animal welfare and ethics, provide opportunities for students to observe animal behaviours and discuss how cultural backgrounds influence our relationships with animals. You will visit captive and clinical animal facilities where animals are displayed for conservation, curiosity, aesthetics and research. Practicals and workshops will provide students with skills in critical thinking, communication, information/digital literacy and an evidence informed basis on which to make decisions. This unit is for students who are interested in a professional career working with animals, such as those in the AVBS stream and BVB/DVM program or who generally seek an understanding of how animals enrich our lives.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	AVBS1003
Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Brandon Velie, brandon.velie@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final Exam*** SAQ and extended answer questions	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Debate-Oral Presentation** Debate Presentation, written factsheet	20%	Multiple weeks	4 min oral presentation 2 page factsheet
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Module 1 Assessment-Test 1* SAQ	15%	Week 04	45 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Scientific Poster Poster presentation	10%	Week 07	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Module 2 Assessment-Test 2* SAQ	15%	Week 08	45 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Online MCQ Worksheet MCQs-unlimited submission attempts	10%	Week 13	20 questions and unlimited time
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information regarding format, page limits, etc… for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

*Tests will be invigilated online

**Presentation to be submitted online via Canvas for remote campus students

***Final exam: This assessment is compulsory and failure to attend, attempt, or submit will result in the award of an AF grade. If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Simple extensions will not be granted in this unit of study and late submissions will not be accepted without an approved special consideration. Students who experience any form of illness, injury, or misadventure that prevents or affects the preparation or performance in an exam or assessment are encouraged to apply for special consideration. Details on how to apply for special consideration can be found on the unit's Canvas page.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Unit of Study; Anthrozoology I	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Anthrozoology II; Introduction/Welcome to Taronga	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Evolution of Zoos	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	Anthrozoology III & IV	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Physiological and psychological responses to animals	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to Assessments	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Work Session – Scientific poster	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Human-animal relationships across cultures I	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Animals in sport & recreation	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Human-animal relationships across cultures II	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Animals in work	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Human-animal relationships across cultures III	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Animal training and conservation messaging	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	Human-animal relationships across cultures IV	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Debate Preparation	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	Conservation I	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Native & Invasive species	Practical (3 hr)
Week 10	Conservation II	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Walk as a penguin	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	Conservation III; Legislation, ethics, and principles of care I	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Animal Ethics & Welfare	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	Legislation, ethics, and principles of care II	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Applications of legislation and principles of care	Practical (3 hr)
Week 13	Legislation, ethics, and principles of care III & Review	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Debate	Practical (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance during lectures and practicals is not required, therefore students may attend or skip lectures as they deem appropriate.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Describe and give examples of how human and animal health are related
LO2. Describe and give examples of how human-animal interactions are culturally influenced
LO3. Analyse and evaluate research in the field of animal research
LO4. Make informed decisions based on evidence to ensure the welfare and management of animals
LO5. Describe the legislation and principles for the care and use of animals
LO6. Independently analyse data and articulate the meaning in the results
LO7. Communicate confidently both orally and in writing
LO8. Work in a team with people from diverse backgrounds with inclusiveness, open mindedness, honesty and diligence

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No major changes have been made to the unit since it was last offered.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Taronga Zoo is requiring that all staff and students are double vaccinated to be on-site. Please note: Anyone without a vaccine certificate or exemption will not be permitted on-site at Taronga Zoo and as a result will not be able to participate in face-to-face lectures and practicals that occur at Taronga Zoo.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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