Education &
Training Programs

Students at the Animal Welfare Science Centre

The Centre provides opportunity for post-graduate studies available to a variety of students both nationally and internationally through communication of RD&E programs, scholarships and funded projects. Post-graduates are essential to the continued research effort at the Centre and assist to strengthen linkages between the AWSC and other scientific organisations.

It is important that students entering the animal industries are well prepared to provide sound, science-based advice on animal welfare practices to industry, interest groups and the public. The AWSC offers a number of teaching and training programs delivered via University subjects and courses, including the following:

Post graduate Programs at the AWSC

• Current positions and projects available at the Animal Welfare Science Centre
• Current post graduate student projects
• Graduate Certificate in Animal Welfare
  
  The Graduate Certificate in Animal Welfare provides students with an understanding of an animal's biological systems in relation to adaptation to various stimuli, stress and pain together with an overview of the evolution of animals in terms of their physiology and behaviour. Historical aspects of animal domestication leading to the current management of domestic animals and animal welfare issues within the global international community are also addressed.
  
  It is important to note that Monash University is not currently taking new enrolments but those interested in undertaking the Certificate are encouraged to contact the Centre as substantial demand may lead to the Certificate being re-launched.

Undergraduate programs at the AWSC

• Undergraduate subjects on Animal Welfare (The University of Melbourne)
  • Animals In Society – 1st year core unit for ‘Bachelor of Animal Science Management’ and elective for all other science courses.
  • Applied Animal Behaviour Science – 3rd year core unit for ‘Bachelor of Animal Science Management’
  • Animal Welfare – 4th year unit

Training Programs

Targeting human-animal interactions to improve animal welfare and productivity (research article: human-animal interactions)

• ProHand and Cowcare for pig and dairy stockpeople (view summary brochure)
• ProHand for abattoir personnel (summary soon to be available)
• CD-Rom packages on PetCare (summary soon to be available)

Public Education

The AWSC regularly holds AWSC Scientist's meetings, open to the public and stakeholders. These meetings cover a broad range of animal welfare issues and research activities across the major livestock and companion animal industries, providing comprehensive and up to date information on animal welfare science.

The Animal Welfare Science Centre was established by the University of Melbourne, Monash University and the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria. The Centre focuses and coordinates the research and academic resources of the three collaborating organisations, providing the animal industries, animal users, the farming community, Government, the general community and the academic community with an internationally competitive research, teaching and training resource in animal welfare.