Course overview
Animal behaviourists and animal carers enjoy a diverse range of career opportunities, ranging from zookeeping and professional pet training, right through to wildlife conservation and working for animal charities. This bundle of two of our most popular courses, Animal Care and Animal Behaviour, ensures that you know how to meet the moral and legal requirements of caring for animals, as well as equipping you with a clear understanding of animal behaviour. All course materials will be delivered to you by post or via email, so it couldn’t be easier. Our experienced and friendly tutors will help you every step of the way by email. You can work at your own pace. Completed coursework can be delivered by post or via email, so handing in an assignment is simple. These courses can be enrolled onto separately, but by enrolling on this combined course you will receive a considerable discount.
Study method
- Online
- Blended
- In-class

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Duration study load
Once enrolled, you will have two years to complete this bundle (one year per course), which will allow you to work at your own pace, without the pressure of tight deadlines. You will also receive 12 months of tutor support for each course, so you can feel confident that you’ll get the help you need. This bundle will take you approximately 160 hours. Studying around your work and family commitments has never been easier.
Entry requirements
You do not need any previous knowledge to enrol on to this course.
Course features
- Dedicated personal tutor support
- Dedicated student support
- Assignment marking and feedback
- FREE CV critique service
- FREE employability guide to help you impress future employers
- FREE XO Student Discounts membership
- * Comprehensive study guide
- * Open Study College pen and highlighter
- * Student notebook
* Not included with the online study option
Assessment
This combined course is assessed through a series of written assignments, which are submitted to and marked by your tutor. There is no external examination required.
Delivery
You will study this course by distance learning, which will enable you to learn when and where you want. You can study from home or at work; it is completely up to you. All your materials will be posted or emailed to you online, whichever you choose. You will also receive our tutor support by email, so help is only a click away!
Subjects
- What is animal behaviour?
- The study of animal behaviour
- Methods and recording
- Results
- The food chain
- Evolutionary arms race
- Adaptations to capture prey
- Luring prey
- Crypsis (Camouflage, transparency, sleep cycles)
- How animals communicate
- Competition from other species
- Communication and the senses
- Visual displays
- Group or solitary?
- Hierarchy systems in group-living animals
- Attracting a potential mate
- Mating systems and parental responsibility
- Monogamy and polygyny
- Mating systems
- Imprinting
- What is domestication?
- Breeds
- How does domestication change the animal?
- Hibernation
- Hormones and their effects
- Abnormal behaviours
- Instinct
- Simple learning theories
- Animal learning in training
- Human influence
- Ethics in training and the welfare of animals
- Animal intelligence
- Training animals
- Types of feeder
- Nutritional requirements
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Choosing and preparing food
- Quantity and timing of feeding
- Housing requirements
- Bedding materials
- Fixtures and fittings
- Cleaning and maintaining
- Waste disposal
- Disease prevention
- Common diseases of dogs, cats and rabbits
- Endoparasites and ectoparasites
- Signs of ill health
- First aid procedures and remedies
- Why do we need to handle, restrain and move animals?
- Personal protective equipment
- Handling and restraint equipment
- Reducing stress
- Normal behaviour
- Emotions
- Specific species
- Abnormal behaviour
- Stereotypic behaviour
- Observing behaviour
- Methods and recording
- Avoiding/reducing abnormal behaviour
- Environmental enrichment
- Welfare needs
- How can we meet these needs?
- The Animal Welfare Act 2006
- Current legislation
- Animals in production
- Intensive farming
- Free-range farming
- Organic farming
- Animals in sport
- Animals as assistance
About Open Study College
Discount is available for selected courses! Get up to £75 off courses with code "COURSES75"!
Established in 2007, Open Study College (OSC) is a distance learning course provider that has helped over 120,000 learners take the next step towards achieving their ambitions.
With over 700 courses, ranging from A Levels and GCSEs through to childcare and beauty therapy — there’s something for everyone. All of their qualifications are independently accredited by established awarding organisations, fully equipping you for the future.
Why choose Open Study College?
Whether you’re in full-time work or have family commitments, distance learning at OSC provides the flexibility to create a study schedule that fits around the busy demands of day-to-day life. Accomplish your goals — at your pace, on your terms.
You will also receive the best possible support from the uber-friendly learner services team, as well as guidance from expert tutors who are on hand to answer any queries you might have throughout the duration of your course.
What makes Open Study College different?
Born from a genuine passion to improve the lives of others through education, OSC is a family-run business with decades of experience in the education and distance learning industry.
Seeking a career change? Didn’t get the exam results you wanted? Looking to learn a new skill? Your learning journey has no end at Open Study College. Enrol on one of their courses today and forge the future you’ve always wanted — all from the comfort of your own home!
Additional benefits
As an Open Study College learner, your benefits will include an XO Student Discounts membership, exclusive savings on future courses and a complete range of career support — including a free CV critique service, a free employability guide, and job-hunting help from their recruitment experts.