Course overview
This course provides students with a solid grounding in animal metabolism and nutrition to allow them to develop sound, evidence-based advice to clients wishing to maximise the profitability, health, longevity, product quality or athletic performance of animals. The course builds on a platform of knowledge of nutritional principles and the roles of energy, protein, lipids, carbohydrates, macro- and micro-nutrients in biochemical pathways. These principles are then applied to feed formulation for dogs, cats, horses, beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, wildlife, pocket pets, exotic animals, and farmed finfish. The consequences of an inadequate supply of the essential nutrients are considered in detail. The course has a strong hands-on, practical focus to develop in students an awareness of the importance of nutrition as a frontline determinant of animal health, welfare and production. Emphasis is placed on self-initiative, the development of skills in teamwork, and the application of a critical, science-based approach to practical nutrition.
- Adult Animal Nutrition (Maintenance and Reproduction)
- Senior Animal Nutrition
- Environmental Influences on Feed Resources
- Nutritional Management in Extensive Systems
- Feeding Strategies in Intensive Systems
- Nutrition, Environment and Sustainability
- Principals of Nutritional Science
- Vitamins and Minerals
- Lactation and Neonatal Nutrition
- Nutrition at Weaning and for Growth
Course learning outcomes
- Analyse the role and importance of nutrients and evaluate how different forms of energy provision affect animals' ability to satisfy their requirements.
- Explain the interactions between carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in animal metabolism and predict how imbalances result in dysfunction and inefficiency.
- Formulate diets for animals from first principles to match the energy and protein requirements, limiting amino acids, major minerals and vitamins and describe their roles in metabolism at different physiological stages across species
- Explain the environmental and seasonal factors that influence feed availability and quality, and explain how pasture assessment and grazing management strategies, can be used to support animal nutrition in extensive production systems.
- Identify body composition and use critical thinking to design different feeding strategies across species to address animal health, welfare and production under different scenarios.
- Apply critical thinking and an evidence-based approach to animal nutrition and demonstrate skills in data collection, analysis, synthesis, report writing, collaboration and communication skills.
Availability
Class details
Roseworthy Campus
Group 1
Class number 63182
Section LE01
Size 50
Available 13
Class number 63180
Section FW01
Size 50
Available 13
Class number 68577
Section WS01
Size 50
Available 13
Class number 63181
Section PR01
Size 50
Available 13
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