Students on this course critically reflect upon contemporary uses of animals, and provides the academic skills and expertise needed to protect animals and advance their welfare. This course provides a strong grounding in animal welfare science, ethics and law. Students gain the necessary skills to develop a scientifically rigorous assessment of the welfare state of animals in a diverse variety of settings, and master the main ethical theories concerning our relationships with other animals. In recent years there has been a rapid evolution in the social status of animals. Cognitive and behavioural studies have revealed previously unknown characteristics in many species which has led to an increasing focus on our complex, multifaceted relationships with them. Students learn about the diversity of settings in which animals live or are used, including farming, transportation and slaughter, laboratories, homes, zoos and various other entertainment locales, and about free-ranging animals in natural environments All students learn key transferable academic skills - such as the design and conduct of a research project and communication of the results to an academic standard - as well as the use of modern communication channels suited to more general audiences This programme is only offered by distance learning. You may visit the University, and use our facilities and resources on site, however this would be optional and additional to any required study. Please contact the programme leader to arrange any visits.