Unit of Study VMED2006 Behavioural Medicine, Welfare, Ethics and Meat Science (2026)

Future students:
T: 1800 626 481
E: Email your enquiry here

Current students:
Contact: Faculty of Science and Engineering

Students studying at an education collaboration:
Please contact your relevant institution

Show me unit information for year

View previous years of our units

Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Pre-requisites

VMED2005 - Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 4 AND VMED2007 - Systems Pathology, Medicine and Therapy 5

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. For units with practicals and other learning activities that directly relate to developing AVBC day one competencies that are required for veterinary accreditation, attendance is required. These will be identified within each unit and attendance requirements clearly communicated to students.

Unit description

This mid-level unit is designed to deepen veterinary students’ understanding of behavioural medicine, applied animal welfare, and animal ethics. Building on foundational knowledge, students will broaden their ability to identify, diagnose, and manage behavioural issues across species, and critically assess welfare from farm to fork using scientifically validated frameworks. Emphasis will be placed on the use of validated welfare assessment protocols within both production systems and companion animal environments. Students will explore key ethical theories and apply them to real-world contexts across animal-related sectors, integrating ethical principles into sound decision-making in veterinary practice. The unit also introduces core concepts in meat science, examining factors that influence meat quality—such as pH, tenderness, flavour, and colour—with reference to Meat Standards Australia (MSA) guidelines. Through case studies, practical assessments, and ethical discussions, students will apply their learning to contemporary veterinary and agricultural challenges, developing the skills needed to uphold welfare standards, promote ethical practice, and contribute to high-quality, sustainable meat production.

Unit content

Behavioural medicine of companion animals
Behavioural medicine of large animals
Animal welfare assessment (extensive systems)
Animal welfare assessment (intensive systems)
Animal ethics
Meat science

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2026

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:

evaluate animal welfare using established assessment tools and frameworks, considering behavioural, physiological, and psychological indicators

evaluate and apply evidence-based approaches to prevent, diagnose, and manage common behavioural issues across species encountered in veterinary settings

evaluate the ethical implications of animal use across farming, sport, research, and companion settings by applying the Three Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) and relevant ethical frameworks to formulate well-reasoned, evidence-based arguments and decisions

describe factors influencing meat quality, including tenderness, pH, taste, and colour, and apply Meat Standards Australia (MSA) guidelines in assessing meat products.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

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

Find out more for domestic fees