Courses list

Wersja polska

Course code: BHS20076f14
Semester: 2014/2015 winter
Name: Pro-ecological Management of Free Ranged and Farm Animals
Major: Animal Science
Study Type: second cycle
Course type: optional
Study Semester: 2
ECTS points: 5
Hours (Lectures / Tutorials / Other): 15 / 30 / 0
Lecturer: prof. dr hab. Piotr Nowakowski
Language of instruction: Polish / English
The course taught in English if the group has ≥6 students. The course taught in Polish with a possibility of support in English if the group has <6 students

Learning outcomes: Knowledge: Student is familiar with basic law regulations and EU common agricultural policy aimed towards pro-ecological systems of animal production. He/she knows the scope of diversity within animal species as well within ecosystems, trophic chains and landscapes. Student gains advanced knowledge about the role of domestic animals in sustainable and ecological agriculture. He/she knows the benefits and handicaps of welfare issues of animals kept in social groups and on grasslands. Student understands effects of pro-ecological systems of animal production on environment and on the quality of animal produce. Skills: Student possessed ability to interpret animal production data from regional, national and global perspective taking into account environmental issues. He/she is able to design new systems of animal management aimed towards specific environments (mountains, lowlands, river valleys, etc) to achieve economic expectations, while keeping balance with biodiversity and heritage of local communities. He/she is able to point and improve welfare of animals in pro-ecological systems of animal production.

Competences: Personal and social competences (attitudes and behaviors): Student understands the value of diversity existing within nature manifested in multitude of species and breeds of farm animals and forms of agricultural activities. He/she recommends and organize animal production in a sustainable way. He/she sees and understands complexity of animal keeping with socio-cultural conditions. He/she knows the importance of life long learning and improving own skills.

Prerequisites: Crops production, grasslands management, animal nutrition, general animal husbandry, Common Agricultural Policy of EU

Course content: Course contents: Basics of social, law and policy issues to promote pro-ecological systems of animal production. Systems of animal production aimed to conserve landscapes and support sustainable environment and providing high quality produce. Relations between feed resources and animal health and growth and produce quality. Local breeds of farm animals; organization of animal production with maximum utilization of grasslands. Specificity of animal produce due to the locality of production, where a complex valuation of biologic, environmental, cultural and ethic issues are taken into consideration in perception of nowadays consumers.

Recommended literature: Dawkins R.: Fenotyp rozszerzony – Dalekosiężny gen. Prószyński i S-ka, Warszawa, 2003. INRA: Żywienie przeżuwaczy. Zalecane normy i tabele wartości pokarmowej pasz. Pod red. R. Jarrige’a. IFiŻZ PAN, Jabłonna i Omnitech Press, Warszawa, 1993. Lasota – Moskalewska A.: Zwierzęta udomowione w dziejach ludzkości. Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, Warszawa, 2005. Schmidt-Nielsen K.: Dlaczego tak ważne są rozmiary zwierząt. Skalowanie. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa, 1994 Spedding C.R.W.: Ekologia łąkarska. PWRiL, Warszawa, 1977.

Assessment methods: Two written tests are performed during classes and two projects are evaluated. Class attendance is a duty with one absence acceptable. When there is an absence it is a student duty to prove that knowledge is gained on a personal basis. Final class assessment is based on the arithmetic mean from all scores gained during the classes. Final course assessment is based on problem solving short dissertation as written exam (45 minutes).

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