Unit of Study VETS2011 Animal Nutrition for Health, Performance and Production (2026)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Pre-requisites

ANIM1002 - Animal Production, Husbandry and Handling

Enrolment information

1. To pass the unit, students must submit all assessment tasks. 2. Attendance: It is important to recognise the relationship between attendance, participation, student success and retention. Please take advantage of all classes and engagement activities as it will increase your opportunity for learning, progression in the course, and success as a veterinarian or veterinary technologist. For units with practicals and other learning activities that directly relate to developing AVBC day one competencies that are required for veterinary accreditation, additionally VNCA day one competencies required for AVNAT registration, attendance is required. These will be identified within each unit and attendance requirements clearly communicated to students.

Unit description

This unit is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of animal nutrition and its application in clinical settings. The course will cover the core concepts of animal nutrition, including the evaluation of different feed types and compositions, and their potential digestibility and metabolizable energy across various animal species. Students will gain a solid foundation in nutrient requirements at different life stages and physiological states, and learn to assess how nutrition impacts animal productivity, health, and welfare, as well as the quality of animal products. Students will develop the ability to analyse and formulate balanced rations for both livestock and companion animals, integrating knowledge of animal physiology, nutrient requirements, and feed composition. This process will be supported by both traditional methods and the use of nutrition software, helping students create practical, evidence-based feeding programs for a variety of clinical scenarios. A significant focus will be placed on critical thinking and applying an evidence-based approach to clinical animal nutrition, encouraging students to reflect on their practices and continually improve their professional competence. This reflective approach will empower students to make informed, clinically relevant decisions in nutritional care, ensuring optimal health outcomes for animals in various clinical settings.

Unit content

General principles of nutrition
Large ruminant nutrition
Small ruminant nutrition
Equine nutrition
Companion animals and other common animals in a veterinary setting, with a focus on clinical nutrition
Pig/Poultry nutrition

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Lismore	Term4	Term4

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

explain the fundamental principles of animal nutrition and apply knowledge of feed types and compositions to evaluate their potential digestibility and metabolizable energy in different animal species

evaluate the nutritional requirements of various animals at different life stages and physiological states (growth, lactation, maintenance, etc.) and discuss the impact of nutrition on animal productivity, health, and welfare, as well as on product quality

analyse and formulate balanced rations or diets for livestock and/or companion animals based on nutrient requirements and available feedstuff with/without specific software

demonstrate critical thinking and an evidence-based approach to clinical animal nutrition, integrating reflective practice to support continuous professional development and informed decision-making in nutritional care.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Practical 3 hours (weekly)

Tutorial 3 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Portfolio	40%
Critical review	60%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed text information is not currently available.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
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Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

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