Applied Ethology and Animal Biology

For good animal welfare and husbandry, an understanding of animal behaviour and biology from an applied perspective is important. If you are interested in the well-being of animals and want to preserve biodiversity, this programme is for you.

This programme provides solid knowledge in both theory and methods in applied ethology. After initial courses in ethology, knowledge in the field of animal biology is broadened with courses in stress, cognition, behavioral genetics and conservation biology. Apart from lectures and seminars, you will experience field trips, meet alumni and professionals, and carry out practical studies on farm animals, laboratory animals and zoo animals. You can also exchange one of the later courses for a professional internship to gain extra work experience.

The emphasis in the programme is on the one-year degree project. In the process of planning, performing and presenting a scientific study, your theoretical and methodological knowledge is put into practice. Previous degree theses have investigated the learning ability of stressed chickens, the diving ability of sea turtles after bycatch fishing, and behavioral studies of endemic fruit bats and their ecological value. Other degree projects have provided knowledge about genetic changes in feral horses, the importance of smell for food choices in primates, and why dogs tilt their heads.