Roi Mandel: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2019

NameMr Roi Mandel
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
751-6003-00LTraining Course in Research Groups (Large) Restricted registration - show details 6 credits13PM. Kreuzer, R. Mandel, E. Mandel, S. Neuenschwander, H. Pausch, S. E. Ulbrich
AbstractThe students will learn the conceptual and methodological background of research in the animal science groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Science. In addition to teaching the theoretical background, the major aim of the course is to integrate the students into the research groups (on job training) and, hence, to focus on the practical application of the knowledge.
Learning objective- Introduction into the conceptual and methodological basis of research
- Integration of the students into the research groups (on job training)
- Application of the gained knowledge
ContentThe students will be integrated into the research groups’ day-to-day work and will thus deal with all aspects of scientific work. This comprises the planning (conceptually and logistically), execution (data collection, laboratory analyses) and evaluation (statistics, data presentation) of experiments as well as the basics of scientific writing (aim: later publication, Master thesis). The research topics and the range of methodologies vary between the animal science research groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences.
Lecture notesNone
LiteratureSpecific readings after enlisting in a particular research group.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe number of training slots in the various groups is limited. It is therefore highly recommended to contact the group leaders early enough (first come first serve).
The full integration in a research group often means to work on weekends.
The total time budget is equivalent to about 180 hours. Active participation in group meetings (discussion, presentation) and short written reports about the work conducted are required for the 6 credit points. There are no grades, it is only pass or fail.
751-6003-01LTraining Course in Research Groups (Small) Restricted registration - show details 3 credits6PM. Kreuzer, R. Mandel, E. Mandel, S. Neuenschwander, H. Pausch, S. E. Ulbrich
AbstractThe students will learn the conceptual and methodological background of research in the animal science groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Science. In addition to teaching the theoretical background, the major aim of the course is to integrate the students into the research groups (on job training) and, hence, to focus on the practical application of the knowledge.
Learning objective- Introduction into the conceptual and methodological basis of research
- Integration of the students into the research groups (on job training)
- Application of the gained knowledge
ContentThe students will be integrated into the research groups’ day-to-day work and will thus deal with all aspects of scientific work. This comprises the planning (conceptually and logistically), execution (data collection, laboratory analyses) and evaluation (statistics, data presentation) of experiments as well as the basics of scientific writing (aim: later publication, Master thesis). The research topics and the range of methodologies vary between the animal science research groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences.
Lecture notesNone
LiteratureSpecific readings after enlisting in a particular research group.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe number of training slots in the various groups is limited. It is therefore highly recommended to contact the group leaders early enough (first come first serve).
The full integration in a research group often means to work on weekends.
The total time budget is equivalent to about 90 hours. Active participation in group meetings (discussion, presentation) and short written reports about the work conducted are required for the 3 credit points. There are no grades, it is only pass or fail.
751-6502-00LRuminant Science (FS) Information 4 credits4GM. Kreuzer, A. Grahofer, R. Mandel, S. Neuenschwander
AbstractThe course provides the scientific basis of the central aspects in ruminants of cattle, sheep and goat breeding, diseases and the interrelationship of animal nutrition and environment. Aspects of organic farming and tropical livestock systems form part of the course. Means of knowledge transfer include interdisciplinary approaches, disciplinary parts, web-based learning and self-study.
Learning objectiveAt the end of the course the students are able to apply, by a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms, their knowledge in various fields of ruminant science. They will be able to develop and recommend best strategies for large and small ruminant breeding, for sustained animal health and disease prophylaxis, for environmentally friendly animal nutrition etc. They will be trained to carry out interdisciplinary and disciplinary research at the highest level. The course Ruminant Science (HS) offered in autumn has a similar structure but is complementary to this course.
ContentFields (contact hours)
- Introduction
- Interdisciplinary topics: 12 h
- Organic Ruminant Systems
- Tropical Ruminant Systems
- Mastitis
- Disciplinary topics: 36 h
- Cattle, Sheep and Goat Breeding: 12 h
- Ruminant Diseases and Prophylaxis: 12 h
- Ruminant Nutrition and the Environment (incl. general introduction): 12 h
- Lectures held by the students: 4 h
In summary
- Contact hours: 52 h
- Self-study within semester: 30 h (especially preparation for the interdisciplinary courses and the own lecture)
- Self-study in semester break: 38 h
Total: 120 h
Lecture notesDocumentations, links and other materials will be provided at the start of the course.
LiteratureInformation on books and other references will be communicated during the course.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe specialty of this course is that for the first time the animal science disciplines are unified. This is realised with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary focal areas and new forms of teaching. At the same time the essential basics in the central fields are communicated.

The field of Ruminant Science will also be a part of the spring semester (planned interdisciplinary topics: Lameness, Fertility in Cows, Food Intake; disciplinary courses: Animal Husbandry, Ruminant Reproduction, Nutrition Physiology in Ruminants). However both courses are organized independently.

Conditions for successful participation: Background on animal science from the Bachelor is desired. In order to attend the Minor in Ruminant Science without any animal science background, a realistic self-assessment concerning the need for additional self-study is recommended (e.g. by choosing an appropriate bachelor course which then may be counted as 'optional courses' in the master). These efforts depend on the extent to which animal science courses have already been attended in the bachelor.

The control of performance will consist of:
- an own lecture
- an interdisciplinary final oral examination with focus on comprehension of the fundamental linkages rather than of specific details
751-7500-00LApplied Ethology and Animal Welfare2 credits2VR. Mandel
AbstractThe course provides basic knowledge of behaviour (mechanisms, control) of farm, lab, pet, zoo & circus animals, and of interactions between behaviour, physiology, breeding, housing/nutrition and animal use. A special focus is set on the assessment of animal welfare and on legislation based on an appreciation of animal related, ethical, traditional, economical and political values.
Learning objectiveWith special focus on domestic animals, the students know, understand and are able to apply at the end of the course

- the terms adaptation, overtaxed capacity to adapt, adaptive modification;
- concepts of motivation, and of behavioural mechanisms and their control;
- concepts of normal behaviour (statistical, normative), and of behavioural disorders and vices;
- concepts of stress/chronic stress, and of coping;
- the scientific basis of environmental enrichment;
- consequences of trait specific breeding for health and behaviour performance;
- scientific approaches to the assessment of animal welfare;
- the process of appreciation of animal related, ethical, traditional, economical and political values in working out demands related to animal welfare;
- the general aims, history and topics of modern animal protection legislation (Switzerland, international regulations).
ContentThe content of the course is based on the teaching and learning objectives. Where during the contact hours which priorities are set, and which topics are increasingly developed in self-study (with tutoring), results from the interaction with the students.

Contact hours: 26
Self-study (during semester, including preparation for performance assessment): 26
Lecture notesThe PP slides for the lecture lectures are always delivered in advance; The interactive lecture builds on them.
LiteratureFurther literature and internet links will be mentioned during the lecture.
Prerequisites / NoticeThere will be no oral/written exam in this course. Your final grade will be based on the following:
Creating a short (7 min) video on an animal welfare related topic = 65% of the final course grade.
Active participation in class discussions = 35%