Lesson Structure: Higher Advanced Diploma In Applied Animal Science VSC003

Core Modules: These modules provide foundation knowledge for the Higher Advanced Diploma In Applied Animal Science.

1. Animal Anatomy And Physiology (Animal Husbandry I ) BAG101
2. Biochemistry I (Animal and Human) BSC103
3. Marine Studies I BEN103
4. Ornithology BEN102
5. Vertebrate Zoology BEN104
6. Animal Behaviour BAG203
7. Biochemistry II (Plant & Animal) BSC203
8. Animal Husbandry III (Animal Feed & Nutrition) BAG202

Stream Modules: Studied after the core modules, stream modules cover more specific or niche subjects.

• Research Project I BGN102 – If appropriate, Research Project I, may be replaced by Industry Meetings (100 hour).

Elective Modules: In addition to the core modules, students may choose any 4 of the following 7 modules:

1. Cell Biology BSC110
2. Diagnosing Animal Diseases BAG219
3. Wildlife Conservation BEN206
4. Wildlife Management BEN205
5. Biochemistry III (Animal Processes) BSC303
6. Environmental Assessment BEN301
7. Professional Practice For Consultants BBS301
8. Pet Care AAG100
9. Animal Health Care VAG100
10. Aviculture (Bird Keeping) BAG108

Please see lesson titles for your learning goals.

Gain all important hands-on experience with wildlife animals, to add to your CV whilst you are studying this Higher Advanced Diploma with ADL, or after completing it. We are very happy to be associated with GVE, which offers an unforgettable volunteer experience in South Africa with their Game Capture and Vet Experience programs.

The program fee charged for the experience also acts as the main support for GVE’s non-profit clinic.

Interested in reading more information about both the Game Capture and Vet Experience programs? Then just click on the GVE logo below

What to Use this Course For?

This is an excellent foundation for building a career with either domestic or wild animals. Some students use this course to advance a career that has already commenced, while others use it as a starting point for their career.

Opportunities to work with animal science are broad, for example:

• Pet shops, Kennels, Breeders
• Veterinary industries (not just as a vet, but vet supplies, vet assistants, etc)
• Animal protection, wildlife rescue
• Farming
• Zoos
• Research
• Media – animal publications, educational film and video, etc

How involved are the Studies?

Our courses are “experiential based” learning (which means we guide you to learn through experience). The things you read in the course notes are part of the learning experience; but there is always a lot more to it than just that. All along, you have access to the support of our tutors; so if things get too hard, we can help get you over the humps; and if things are too easy, the tutor can guide and challenge you to extend your knowledge further. In this way, the level of study is designed to be different to a traditional College of Further Education or university course; more able to adjust to the varying potential of each student.

Note: each module in the Higher Advanced Diploma In Applied Animal Science is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

Karin Saks primate naturalist:

Since 1997, Karin Saks has been involved in the fostering and rehabilitation of orphan baboons, the caring of injured monkeys who have been returned to the wild and has worked towards a harmonious co-existence between these primates and humans. She has monitored wild baboon troops who raid human homes to research ways of baboon management and has observed wild troops in her area with a view to finding out damage done to troop structures and numbers because of human intervention. Due to legislation that allows for the persecution of vervet monkeys and baboons in South Africa, hundreds of orphaned primates currently reside in rehabilitation centres without much chance of being released back into the wild. The primate pet trade is also on the increase due to the amount of infants orphaned when mothers are killed. Educating the public on how to live harmoniously with these primates and appealing for new protective legislation – that is actively enforced – are crucial aspects to finding solutions.

The Darwin Primate Group registered NPO 059-587: Like many who take on the task of rescuing these persecuted animals, Karin self funded her work until 2008 when she founded the Darwin Primate Group and registered it as a non-profit organization.

Research into endangered samango monkey (Cercopithecus mitis labiatus) populations: In 2014, Karin moved to Kwazulu Natal where she is researching the endangered samango monkey (Cercopithecus mitis labiatus) populations in the Midlands. (She is no longer working directly with rescued baboons or vervet monkeys.) As the samango monkey is restricted to forest habitat and is a seed dispersing species, it is listed as Vulnerable in the Red Data Book of the Mammals of South Africa (2004) with samango subspecies – C. m. labiatus – occurring on the IUCN (2007) Endangered list making research into populations necessary to identify if management and further protection is needed.

You are welcome to watch Karin’s online video: Co-existing Peacefully With Baboons/Monkeys and read her Blogspot on the Samango Monkey Project. If you want to support Karin in her work financially or practically, please contact us and we will happily pass your details on.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.