Induction Schedule

Our aim is to ensure that you know what to expect from the course and provide advice and guidance on what you need to prepare for your studies. There will be activities that you may want to get involved in, both across the department and within Higher Education, and we will let you know more about these when you begin your studies.

We will be hosting a series of Freshers’ Fairs which you are welcome to attend:

• Monday 9 September – Atrium, Old Mill Lane campus, 9.30am – 11.30am
• Tuesday 10 September – Sports Hall, Honeywell Sports campus, 10.00am – 11.00am
• Friday 13 September – Wigfield Farm, 9.30am – 11.30am

To begin your preparation for the course, please read this web page which contains important information to ease you into life at Barnsley College University Centre and your course. If you require any further information specific to your course prior to starting, please feel free to contact Course Leader, Tristen Greenwood.

You are required to attend an enrolment day and induction day. 

Enrolment Checklist

Proof of qualifications

You must be able to produce certificates to prove that you have achieved the following:

• GCSE in English, minimum grade 4 (previously a C)
• GCSE in Mathematics, minimum grade 3 (previously a D)

Please bring proof of all your qualifications (original certificates) to your enrolment session. You will not be able to fully enrol on the course unless these have been presented and failure to produce these will delay any loan payments, if eligible, being paid.

If you find that you do not have the original certificates, you will need to obtain copies from the awarding body as quickly as possible prior to enrolment.

Please check with the school or college you attended for information on contacting the relevant awarding body.

Course Materials

• Steel-Toe Footwear
• Overalls
• Lab Coat
• A4 Notebook
• Memory stick/ access to online storage such as one drive (all learners can use their student one drive whilst they are on the programme)
• Folder e.g. ring binder/ lever arch file

Preparation and Preliminary Reading

The following books will be used as core texts and will be valuable throughout your Animal Management course. We recommend that you gain access to them.

• Tortora & Grabowski (2002) Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. Wiley and Sons.
• Jones, A., Reed, R., Weyers, J. (2016) Practical Skills in Biology (Sixth Edition.) Pearson.
• Aubrey Manning (2012) An Introduction to Animal behaviour. Cambridge University Press.

University of Hull Collaborative Provision Students

Study Skills

These books will also be very useful and available in the library at the Old Mill Lane campus, though it is recommended that you obtain access to at least one study skills text:

• Cottrell, S. (2008). The Study Skills Handbook (Third Edition). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Cottrell, S. (2017). Critical Thinking Skills: effective analysis, argument and reflection. London. Palgrave Macmillan.

Internet and Online Resources

The following sites will be useful to familiarise yourself with:

• www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-welfare
• www.nawt.org.uk
• www.britannica.com/topic/animal-behavior

Journal Articles

• Animal Behaviour Journal
• Animal Welfare Journal
• Veterinary Nursing Journal

Twitter

Twitter can be an excellent source of up-to-date information on policy and practice, which will be crucial for your own knowledge and development. Below are some suggested Twitter feeds relevant to Animal Management:

• Barnsley College – @barnsleycollege
• British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums – @BIAZA
• The International Fund for Animal Welfare – @action4ifaw
• Animal Watch – @Animal_Watch
• British Veterinary Nursing Association – @bvnauk

Personal development opportunities

There are a number of opportunities available to you within the department. The more experience that you can show on your CV the better chance you have of impressing future employers or places of study.

International study trip

You will have the opportunity to participate in a 12-day international study tour to Romania focused on wildlife tracking and conservation. Details, including the associated costs, will be discussed with you during your induction.

Industry talks

We run a scheduled programme of talks from different experts in the field of employability or subject specific skills within your area. Throughout the year talks include ‘Preparing for your Career’, ‘Previous Student: Work Experience/Career and Study Decisions’, ‘Enterprise’, ‘Effective Applications’ and ‘Preparing for Job Interviews’.

Support sessions

Support is available throughout the year in a variety of ways. Lecturers will provide tutorials on a scheduled basis to complement your module structure and be available within taught sessions. The study skills department is available to help you with specific research tasks, to proof read and inform your research.

Student representatives

Each year you will be given the opportunity to become a student representative and present the views of your cohort at student panels and course committee meetings. Those wishing to extend this opportunity may wish to apply for the Students’ Union representative roles as they become available. This is a fantastic role to show on your CV as there are many transferable skills linked to the work involved.