Elodie Mandel: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2018

Name Dr. Elodie Mandel
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
751-6001-00LForum: Livestock in the World Food System2 credits1SM. Kreuzer, S. M. Bernal Ulloa, R. Mandel, E. Mandel, S. Neuenschwander
AbstractThis forum is a platform for the critical reflection of highly relevant topics of livestock in the frame of the world food system comprising issues from basic knowledge to acceptance in society. The exchange is operated by scientific writing and presentation.
ObjectiveIn the Forum "Livestock in the World Food System", a topic of significance for livestock agriculture is selected by the students and subsequently dealt with from various angles (from scientific basis to production systems, environmental aspects and to the acceptance by society). The students learn to present a scientific subject in writing and orally to an audience and to defend the presentation in a discussion.
ContentThe Forum "Livestock in the World Food System" will take place in blocks of 2 hours each. Once the general topic has been selected, it comprises two elements:

Element 1. Oral Presentation: The students form small groups and are lecturers. There are chair persons (moderators) from outside of these small groups and they also head the discussion. The remaining students and lecturers are the audience.

Element 2. Scientific writing: Option 1: preparation of a short scientific type of paper from a result table offered by the lecturers; Option 2: preparation of an abstract with limited word count from a scientific paper; Option 3: writing of a critical review of a paper. The students have to select 2 of the three options each. There will be a discussion be a discussion in small groups at two dates.

Introductions to both forms of presentation will be offered by lecturers.
The preparation of the oral and written presentations takes place to a small part during the 2-h blocks and mainly outside of this time.
Lecture notesno scriptum
Prerequisites / NoticeRequirements for allocation of the two credit points:
- Theatre presentation (with handout) at the forum
- Delivery of written documents of sufficient quality
- Active participation during the presentations by the other participants
751-6003-00LTraining Course in Research Groups (Large) Restricted registration - show details 6 credits13PM. Kreuzer, R. Mandel, E. Mandel, S. Neuenschwander, H. Pausch, S. E. Ulbrich
AbstractThe students will learn the conceptual and methodological background of research in the animal science groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Science. In addition to teaching the theoretical background, the major aim of the course is to integrate the students into the research groups (on job training) and, hence, to focus on the practical application of the knowledge.
Objective- Introduction into the conceptual and methodological basis of research
- Integration of the students into the research groups (on job training)
- Application of the gained knowledge
ContentThe students will be integrated into the research groups’ day-to-day work and will thus deal with all aspects of scientific work. This comprises the planning (conceptually and logistically), execution (data collection, laboratory analyses) and evaluation (statistics, data presentation) of experiments as well as the basics of scientific writing (aim: later publication, Master thesis). The research topics and the range of methodologies vary between the animal science research groups in the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences.
Lecture notesNone
LiteratureSpecific readings after enlisting in a particular research group.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe number of training slots in the various groups is limited. It is therefore highly recommended to contact the group leaders early enough (first come first serve).
The full integration in a research group often means to work on weekends.
The total time budget is equivalent to about 180 hours. Active participation in group meetings (discussion, presentation) and short written reports about the work conducted are required for the 6 credit points. There are no grades, it is only pass or fail.
751-6003-01LTraining Course in Research Groups (Small) Restricted registration - show details 3 credits6PM. Kreuzer, R. Mandel, E. Mandel, S. Neuenschwander, H. Pausch, S. E. Ulbrich
AbstractThe students will learn the conceptual and methodological background of research in the animal science groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Science. In addition to teaching the theoretical background, the major aim of the course is to integrate the students into the research groups (on job training) and, hence, to focus on the practical application of the knowledge.
Objective- Introduction into the conceptual and methodological basis of research
- Integration of the students into the research groups (on job training)
- Application of the gained knowledge
ContentThe students will be integrated into the research groups’ day-to-day work and will thus deal with all aspects of scientific work. This comprises the planning (conceptually and logistically), execution (data collection, laboratory analyses) and evaluation (statistics, data presentation) of experiments as well as the basics of scientific writing (aim: later publication, Master thesis). The research topics and the range of methodologies vary between the animal science research groups in the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences.
Lecture notesNone
LiteratureSpecific readings after enlisting in a particular research group.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe number of training slots in the various groups is limited. It is therefore highly recommended to contact the group leaders early enough (first come first serve).
The full integration in a research group often means to work on weekends.
The total time budget is equivalent to about 90 hours. Active participation in group meetings (discussion, presentation) and short written reports about the work conducted are required for the 3 credit points. There are no grades, it is only pass or fail.
751-6501-00LRuminant Science (HS)4 credits4GK. Giller, M. C. Härdi-Landerer, R. Mandel, E. Mandel, U. Witschi
AbstractThe course provides the scientific basis of the central aspects of reproduction, husbandry and nutrition physiology of ruminants, and of the implications for animal welfare, product quality, breeding programs, and organic livestock systems. Means of knowledge transfer include interdisciplinary approaches, disciplinary parts, web-based learning and self-study.
ObjectiveAt the end of the course the students are able to apply, by a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms, their knowledge in various fields of ruminant science. They will be able to develop and recommend best strategies for breeding programs, feed formulation, improving forage quality, increasing animal health and welfare etc. They will be trained to carry out interdisciplinary and disciplinary research at the highest level. The course Ruminant Science (FS) offered in spring has a similar structure but is complementary to this course.
ContentFields (contact hours)
- Introduction: 2 h
- Special topics: 12 h
- Lameness
- Fertility in Cows
- Food Intake of Ruminants
- Disciplinary topics: 36 h
- Ruminant Husbandry: 16 h
- Ruminant Nutrition Physiology: 10 h
- Reproduction in Ruminants: 8 h
- Lectures held by the students: 4 h

In summary
- Contact hours: 52 h
- Self-study within semester: 30 h (especially preparation for the interdisciplinary courses and the own lecture)
- Self-study in semester break: 38 h
Total: 120 h
Lecture notesDocumentations, links and other materials will be provided at the start of the course
LiteratureInformation on books and other references will be communicated during the course
Prerequisites / NoticeThe specialty of this course is that for the first time the animal science disciplines are unified. This is realised with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary special topics and new forms of teaching. At the same time the essential basics in the central fields are communicated.

The field of Ruminant Science will also be a part of the spring semester (special topics: Organic Ruminant Systems, Tropical Ruminant Systems, Mastitis; disciplinary courses: Cattle, Sheep and Goat Breeding, Ruminant Diseases and Prophylaxis, Ruminant Nutrition and the Environment). However both courses are organized independently.

Conditions for successful participation: Background on animal science from the Bachelor is desired. In order to attend the Minor in Ruminant Science without any animal science background, a realistic self-assessment concerning the need for additional self-study is recommended (e.g. by choosing an appropriate bachelor course which then may be counted as 'optional courses' in the master). These efforts depend on the extent to which animal science courses have already been attended in the bachelor.

The control of performance will consist of:
- an own lecture
- a final oral examination with focus on comprehension of the fundamental linkages rather than of specific details
751-6601-00LPig Science (HS)2 credits2VE. Mandel, M. C. Härdi-Landerer
AbstractThe overall goal of the course is to provide the essential scientific knowledge of the genetic, physiological and special nutritional aspects of pigs metabolism, animal health and behaviour, and of the implications for environment, product quality, housing and animal welfare, and breeding programs.
ObjectiveStudents will
- understand the complex interactions of nutrition, quality traits of products, breeding and reproduction, health management, behaviour and husbandry.
- be trained to understand interdisciplinary and disciplinary research.
- be able to critically analyze published research data.
- be able to present precise scientific reports in oral and written form.
ContentMain topics in Pig Science:

HS
- Behaviour and Husbandry of pigs: natural behaviour, behavioral needs, husbandry related behavioral disorders, design and construction of housing systems in accordance with welfare requirements and legal regulations, welfare monitoring, pigs in organic farming.
- Animal Health and Diseases: animal hygiene, immunology/vaccinations, metabolic diseaeses, diarrhoe, legisalation, thermoregulation, important infections, prophylaxis.
- poster, exam and evaluation

FS
- Special Physiology of Pig Nutrition: food intake; growth;
metabolism and digestion at different growth stages; energy and specific nutritional requirements; feeding systems; environmental aspects, efeed.
- Genetics: Breeding systems, reproductive techniques, performance tests and recording, etc.
- oral presentation, exam, evaluation

There will also be 2-3 excursions (1 HS, 1-2 FS)
Lecture notesHandouts/scripts are distributed by the the lecturers.
LiteratureSpecific literature is indicated by the lecturers.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe lecture corresponds to the lecture "Ruminant Science" and knowledge in animal health, nutrition and breeding as well as applied ethology and animal welfare are recommended.

The lecture will be in English and German (depending on the lecturers)
751-7501-00LAnimal Housing and Behaviour1 credit1VE. Mandel, R. Mandel
AbstractThe overall goal of this course is to provide general knowledge about the behaviour, housing and welfare of domestic animals.
ObjectiveStudents will:

- Understand the basis of animal behaviour and how it is measured
- Acquire knowledge of housing systems and management of domestic animals
- Get a concept of animal needs and welfare
ContentMain topics:

VERHALTEN (behaviour)
• Bases of animal behaviour: underlying mechanisms, development, function and evolution
• Overview of the natural behaviour of the main livestock species (Nutztiere), in order to understand their needs
• Knowledge of behavioural assessment

TIERHALTUNG (housing)
• Bases of animal housing: knowledge of the different exististing housing systems
• Knowledge of end-of-life processes: slaughter

VERHALTEN – TIERHALTUNG (link behaviour and housing)
• Importance of adapting the housing to animal needs
• Common problems linked to housing
• Concept of animal welfare

Assessment: 2 written reports during the semester
Lecture notesHandouts/scripts are distributed by the the lecturers.
LiteratureSpecific literature is indicated by the lecturers.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis lecture is part of the Agricultural Sciences Bachelor (3rd Semester)

It will be in English and German (depending on the lecturers).