HVxxxx Data collection, statistical analysis and experimental design, 15 HEC

Course plan established:

Subject: Animal Science/Biology

Level: Master D

Marking scale: 5: Pass with distinction = A and B / 4: Pass with credit = C / 3: Pass = D and E / U: Fail = F and X

Language: English

Prerequisites: Knowledge corresponding to 180 HEC in Animal Science or Veterinary Medicine. English language test: 500 points in written International TOEFL test or 5.0 and no part below 4.5 in academic IELTS test.

Objectives

After completion of the course students should be able to:
- identify and formulate critical and relevant questions for scientific research and analysis

- design and conduct research studies concerned with the evaluation of feedstuffs and feeding and management systems

- collect and collate research data and identify and apply the most appropriate statistical techniques for analysing the data

- be familiar with and capable of applying the various methodologies available for the collection of qualitative and quantitative data at farm, village and district level

Content

Each student is initially provided with a lap-top computer and appropriate software for

personal use during the duration of the programme. The students learn to use the different

software programmes that are appropriate for recording, analysis, presentation and publishing of their research. Each student designs, plans and conducts a small research project, collects and analyzes the data statistically, and writes a report. Students become familiar with procedures for the analysis of data by descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and covariance, correlation and regression, nonlinear parameters and transformations. The students carry out Participatory Rural Appraisal exercises (PRA) in villages in areas where the host institutions have ongoing related research projects, and present their reports to farmers and village leaders.

Implementation

Scheduled activities                           Hours                          Compulsory
Lectures                                     approx. 80                                    no
Exercises and discussions         approx. 130                                  yes
Examination and evaluation     approx.   15                                    no

Individual studies, not scheduled

Literature studies approx. 175 no

Literature
Required reading is assigned by the responsible department. Current information about the course literature should be available at the latest eight weeks before the start of the course.

Examination
Approved written examination and/or oral presentation of practicals, approved presentation of project work. Approved participation in compulsory parts of the course.

Additional information
The course is financed by SAREC and is intended for students in the Mekong Basin Animal Research Network (MEKARN).

Responsible department
Department of Animal Nutrition and Management

Localisation
SE Asia

HVxxxx Biological basis of biomass production and utilization by livestock, 15 HEC

Course plan established:

Subject: Animal Science/Biology

Level: Master D

Marking scale: 5: Pass with distinction = A and B / 4: Pass with credit = C / 3: Pass = D and E / U: Fail = F and X

Objectives

After completing the course the student should be able to:
- describe and understand the digestive processes of the major livestock species

- demonstrate an understanding of the factors that influence feed intake, and nutrient and diet digestibility of the major livestock species

- understand the factors that determine the nutrient requirements of the different classes of the different livestock species and be capable of formulating diets to meet these requirements

- be aware of the complex interrelationships between diet composition, intake and nutrient utilization and production parameters

Content

Factors that influence the yield and nutritional value of tropical plants, crop residues and by-products (fodder crops, leaves and fruit from trees, water plants, by-products from crop production etc., including effect of processing method on nutritive value) for both ruminants and monogastric animals. The anatomy and physiology of the digestive systems of ruminants, pigs and poultry. Basic principles of intermediary metabolism and utilization of absorbed nutrients. Factors that influence feed and nutrient intake, including diet composition, nutrient balance, breed and environmental factors, such as climate. Nutrient requirements of the different production classes of the major livestock species and breeds, and factors that influence these, including tropical environments.

Implementation

Scheduled activities Hours Compulsory
Lectures 120 hours (h)
Exercises and discussions 50 h (compulsory)
Study visits 40 h (compulsory)
Examination and evaluation 15 h

Individual studies, not scheduled Hours Compulsory

Literature studies 175 h

Literature
Required reading assigned by the responsible department. Current information about course literature should be available at the latest eight weeks before the start of the course.

Examination
Approved written examination and/or oral presentation of practicals, approved presentation project work. Approved participation in compulsory parts of the course.

Additional information
The course is financed by SAREC and is intended for students in the Mekong Basin Animal Research Network (MEKARN).

Responsible department
Department of Animal Nutrition and Management

Localisation
SE Asia

HVxxxx Animal production systems, 15 HEC

Course plan established:

Subject: Animal Science/Biology

Level: Master D

Marking scale: 5: Pass with distinction = A and B / 4: Pass with credit = C / 3: Pass = D and E / U: Fail= F and X

Objectives

After completing the course the student should be able to:
-describe the role of livestock in agriculture, food supply and poverty alleviation in tropical countries

-understand and critically evaluate different forms of animal production under tropical conditions, with a focus on small scale integrated systems, including pastoral systems

-be familiar with the use and limiting factors of the most common tropical feedstuffs for different animal species and how to compose diets using these feedstuffs

-understand the ethological and economical implications of different management measures

-describe factors affecting the quality of the animal products

-understand the principles of aqua-culture and its role in the livestock systems

Content

Role and importance of livestock for tropical agriculture, human nutrition and poverty alleviation in tropical countries. Smallholder beef, dairy and dual purpose systems, in particular feeding and management strategies in zero-grazing systems, based on crop residues and agro-industrial by-products, and also peri-urban systems. Smallholder production systems for sheep and goats with particular attention on feeding and management strategies in “cut and carry” systems integrated with agro-forestry. Basic principles of range ecology, range resource assessment, including the concept of carrying capacity, range management techniques (traditional and modern) and nutritional value of range vegetation. Smallholder pig and poultry systems, in particular feeding and management strategies based on the sustainable use of renewable natural resources for monogastrics. The relationship between village pig and poultry systems and other components of the farming system, such as fish-duck-rice system, and peri-urban systems. Integration of smallholder aquaculture with livestock, emphasizing the environmental and socio-economic aspects of these integrated systems.

Implementation

Scheduled activities Hours Compulsory
Lectures 120 hours (h)
Exercises and discussions 50 h (compulsory)
Study visits 40 h (compulsory)
Examination and evaluation 15 h

Individual studies, not scheduled

Literature studies 175 h

Literature
Required reading is assigned by the responsible department. Current information about course literature should be available at the latest eight weeks before the start of the course.

Examination
Approved written examination and/or oral presentation of practicals, approved presentation of project work Approved participation in compulsory parts of the course

Additional information
The course is financed by Sarec and is intended for students in the Mekong Basin Animal Research Network (MEKARN).

Responsible department
Department of Animal Nutrition and Management

Localisation
SE Asia

HVxxxx Farming systems, 15 HEC

Course plan established:

Subject: Animal Science/Biology

Level: Master D

Marking scale: 5: Pass with distinction = A and B / 4: Pass with credit = C / 3: Pass = D and E / U: Fail

Language: English

Prerequisites: Knowledge corresponding to 180 HEC in Animal Science or Veterinary

Medicine. English language test: 500 points in written International TOEFL test or 5.0 and no part below 4.5 in academic IELTS test.

Objectives

After completing the course the student should be able to:

-understand the theoretical principles behind the concept of farming systems

-describe the importance of indigenous knowledge and how to utilize the results from research and experimentation initiated by farmers

-understand and critically evaluate different farming systems and their environmental effect
-describe the role and use of agroforestry in animal production

-describe the role of livestock in maintaining and improving soil fertility and plant growth.

Content

Evolution of agricultural and farming systems research. The importance of farmer’s knowledge, farmer’s research and experimentation and farmer’s participatory research. Traditional “slash and burn” farming systems, upland and lowland farming systems and systems based on agro-forestry principles. General agronomic principles of agro-forestry. Use of multipurpose trees for fodder, fuel and mulch in integrated small-holder farming systems. The use of draft animals in the integrated farming system and feeding and management of draft animals with an emphasis on technical and practical aspects.The relationship between animals, plants and soil properties and the role of livestock as a means of maintaining/improving soil fertility and plant growth through recycling of manure and its transformation into nutrient rich effluent (by biodigesters) and humus (by earthworms).

Implementation

Scheduled activities                           Hours Compulsory
Lectures                                               100
Exercises and discussions                                  60                              x
Study visits                                           50                              x
Examination and evaluation                   15

Individual studies, not scheduled Hours Compulsory

Literature studies 175

Literature
Required reading is assigned by the responsible course leaders.

Examination
Written examinations and/or oral presentation of practicals and project work

Course credits
Approval of compulsory components of the course

Additional information
The course is financed by SAREC and is intended for students in the Mekong Basin Animal Research Network (MEKARN).

Responsible department
Department of Animal Nutrition and Management

Localisation
SE Asia

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