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LSC-30072 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

LSC-30072 - Animal Welfare
Coordinator: Charlotte Roxborough
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

You will develop a critical understanding of animal welfare science, ethical frameworks and legislation, and how these are applied to real-world challenges across companion, farm, laboratory and wildlife contexts. You will evaluate evidence relating to animal sentience, emotion and welfare-relevant behavioural and physiological indicators, and assess the strengths and limitations of approaches used to measure and interpret welfare. You will also explore how ethical perspectives and national and international legislation shape decision-making in animal use and management. Alongside this knowledge, you will develop key analytical and communication skills, including the ability to critically appraise scientific and policy evidence and to construct clear, structured, evidence-based arguments for both academic and professional audiences.

Aims
To critically evaluate animal welfare science, legislation and ethical frameworks, and apply these to contemporary welfare challenges across companion, farm, laboratory and wildlife contexts using evidence-based reasoning.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Evaluate evidence for animal sentience, emotions and welfare-relevant physiology across species: 1,2
Critically assess behavioural and physiological methods used in animal welfare science: 1,2
Critically appraise ethical frameworks applied to animal welfare decision-making: 1,2
Evaluate the effectiveness of national and international welfare legislation and governance systems: 1,2
Communicate evidence-based arguments in written and/or structured academic formats appropriate to animal welfare contexts: 1,2

Study hours

ACTIVE LEARNING HOURS: 70 hours
IN-SITU LEARNING ACTIVITIES:28 hours
Lectures/Seminars: 2 hours X 10 weeks
Tutorials: 2 hours X 2 weeks
Tutorials: 1 hour X 1 weeks
Drop-in sessions: 1 hour X 3 weeks
ASYNCHRONOUS DIRECTED LEARNING: 42 hours
3 hours X 10 weeks engagement with weekly topics
6 hours X 2 tutorials
INDEPENDENT STUDY & ASSESSMENT: 80 hours
Assessment 1 (Case Study Report):
40 hours preparation and writing
Assessment 2 (Policy Brief):
40 hours preparation and writing

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 50%
Welfare Case Study Report
Students will produce an individual written report (1500 words) analysing a contemporary animal welfare case. The case may be selected from a list provided or approved by the module team. The report should: • Describe the welfare context and species involved • Critically evaluate relevant behavioural and physiological welfare indicators • Assess the scientific evidence base underpinning welfare assessment • Apply appropriate ethical frameworks to the case • Evaluate relevant legislation and/or regulatory frameworks • Provide an overall evidence-based judgement of welfare status Students are expected to demonstrate integration of scientific, ethical and legislative perspectives.

2: Assignment weighted 50%
Policy Brief
Students will produce an individual policy brief (1500 words) addressing a contemporary animal welfare issue for a defined audience (e.g. government body, Non-Governmental Organization NGO, industry stakeholder). The brief should: • Clearly define the welfare issue and its context • Summarise relevant scientific evidence • Identify key ethical considerations • Critically evaluate current legislation and policy frameworks • Develop clear, evidence-based recommendations The policy brief should be written in a concise, structured format appropriate for a non-academic audience.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026