STUDENTS at a Staffordshire college can go really wild – thanks to an innovative new course launched this autumn.
Rodbaston College is offering a new degree course designed to provide students with the skills to succeed in the highly competitive field of wild animal management in zoos and safari parks.
The three-year BSc (Hons) in Zoo Animal Management, which starts next month (September 2008) will give its graduates a springboard to a career in zoos and safari parks around the world.
The course, one of only a few of its type available in the UK, will give students an understanding of the behaviour, welfare, nutrition and health of specific animal species as well as a knowledge of the licensing frameworks and social role of zoos and safari parks.
Rodbaston Principal Ralph Alcock said: “Students will study particular animals in depth with modules in primate management, reptiles and amphibians and aquatics.
“A combination of theory and practical teaching will provide students with a thorough understanding of zoological science and the industry.
“The course will enable graduates to help zoos in their increasingly important social role of animal conservation, teaching them the latest improvements in husbandry techniques for successful captive breeding programmes.
“In addition graduates will be given the skills to support the public education and research programmes undertaken by zoos.
“Central to the teaching of the course will be Rodbaston’s first-class facilities in this area at its animal management centre. The centre houses more than 750 animals from more than 160 different species.
“These include a number of European Endangered Species Breeding Program animals and European Stud Book species, with the number of animals in the centre continually expanding. Rodbaston also has extensive contacts with the keepers of other animal collections around the world.”
Students will be taught by Rodbaston’s top class academic and technical team who have a wide range of expertise in the area of animal management. Their expertise includes areas of study such as anti-predatory behaviour, social communication and feeding ecology of particular species. Their experience includes roles such as a government adviser to zoos in Cameroon and gorilla conservation in California. The team also has technical expertise in the research of marine life, marine mammal and bird wildlife rescue and the care of exotic rodents.
The zoo animal management programme has been specifically designed to meet the needs of the employer, providing students with the knowledge and practical skills to maximise their employment prospect within the industry. But the skills that the students will gain on the course will also help them to find employment in the related areas of teaching, research and jobs in animal welfare organisations.
Dr Alcock added: “Zoos and safari parks are now at the forefront of helping to save many of our endangered species and well as caring for a wide range of animals.
“This new course will give students the knowledge and practical skills to play a part in this crucial role.
“This only one of a very few courses of this type offered anywhere in the UK. Rodbaston’s excellent facilities along with the expertise of its teaching staff will provide students with all the skills necessary to start a career in this highly competitive and rewarding career path.”
That was a great new course. This is a good news for all animal lovers who are getting into college.
Posted by: Online College Consulting - Applywise | December 07, 2008 at 04:32 PM