Course summary

This course is taught at Capel Manor College, Enfield Campus. This course aims to create or develop animal management professionals with a broad understanding of holistic approaches to the management of a diverse animal collection using modern, naturalistic enclosures in accordance with best practice. Undergraduates will acquire advanced practical hands-on animal management skills whilst furthering business and enterprise skills needed to manage animal and zoological collections, including enriching the customer experience, education, environmental interpretation and animal encounters that reach beyond the boundaries of the collection. Vocational relevance, professional standards and transferable skills for employability are central to this Bachelor’s degree. This will be through the inclusion of a high proportion of applied and work based learning elements which will ensure a high calibre graduate entering the industry. The programme will empower individuals to further develop their practical skills, academic research skills and core knowledge required to work in zoos, animal rehabilitation reserves, aquaria and animal collections or related animal industries both nationally and internationally. Undergraduates will compare a wide range of private, public and international collections, consider holistic and sustainable approaches to animal management and examine the role of the modern and future zoos and collections. To underpin this study undergraduates will further develop their academic study and knowledge of advanced animal science including the fundamental concepts of animal evolution, primatology, advanced animal behaviour and advanced practical animal enrichment, with optional units to specialise in carnivore or ungulate management. The optional unit chosen will be subject to numbers. Undergraduates will also cultivate their skills and understanding of the role of modern international ecotourism and sustainability within collections including the practical horticultural cultivation of animal feeds, whilst undertaking an individual dissertation, developing data handling, research and statistical skills. The programme provides a clear route for those seeking employment within the zoological and animal collections industry both nationally and internationally, as well as animal management and conservation related industries.