Postgraduate Course: Clinical Animal Behaviour in Practice (AWAB11041)

Course Outline
School	Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies	College	College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course type	Online Distance Learning	Availability	Not available to visiting students
SCQF Credits	20	ECTS Credits	10
Summary	This course explores the principles of effective counselling and utilises case studies to take an in depth look at behaviour modification in companion animals
Course description	In this course students will learn about: Human and family psychology including:: Counselling skills; facilitation and maintenance of behavioural change; interpretation of client behaviour and attitude, methods of effective communication and collection of information, assessment of understanding, ethical issues; professionalism in relationships with clients and others. Clinical behaviour procedures and practice including: Taking case-histories and effective communication and liaison with clients, Applying principles of ethology and learning to techniques for diagnosis and treatment of all common animal behaviour problems, Identification and critical evaluation of contributing factors, role of environmental factors, differential diagnosis, Devising and effective delivery of structured treatment regimes, client understanding, compliance and efficacy of treatments, Approaches to extended treatment and follow-up. Case studies will be utilised in order to facilitate learning. Course Objectives ¿ Demonstrate an in depth understanding of the aetiology and treatment of a range of common behavioural problems in companion animals ¿Devise behaviour modification programmes to facilitate learning and demonstrate an ability to use a range of behaviour modification techniques appropriately, to include systematic desensitisation, operant and respondent counterconditioning and habituation ¿Apply the principles of effective counselling and critically evaluate their role throughout the behaviour consultation, treatment and follow up ¿Evaluate the professional, legal, ethical and safety implications relating to a behaviour case, propose how these may be addressed and communicate this to peers, clients and veterinary professionals ¿Examine the mode of action of major classes of drugs used in clinical animal behaviour and be able to critically evaluate their role in the treatment of behavioural disorders

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites		Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations		Other requirements	Students must have completed PGCert in Clinical Animal Behaviour prior to taking this course

Course Delivery Information

Academic year 2019/20, Available to all students (SV1)		Quota: None
Course Start	Semester 2
Course Start Date	13/01/2020
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 200 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 196 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	Online in-course assessments will incorporate a variety of activities constituting 100% of the overall course mark. These in-course assessments provide the opportunity to give students feedback on their performance during the course, and will include: Case related assignment 60% Written Assignment 40%
Feedback	Not entered
No Exam Information

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to: Demonstrate an in depth understanding of the aetiology and treatment of a range of common behavioural problems in companion animals Apply the principles of effective counselling when devising a bespoke behaviour modification programme in order to address issues identified during the behaviour consultation, giving appropriate consideration to professional, legal, ethical and safety concerns. Communicate effectively with clients and other professionals Critically reflect on the consultation process and the role of the behaviour clinician throughout