751-6502-00L  Ruminant Science (FS)

SemesterSpring Semester 2015
LecturersM. Kreuzer, M. C. Härdi-Landerer, S. Marquardt, S. Neuenschwander, C. Soliva
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractThe course provides the scientific basis of the central aspects in ruminants of cattle, sheep and goat breeding, diseases and the interrelationship of animal nutrition and environment. Aspects of organic farming and tropical livestock systems form part of the course. 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 large and small ruminant breeding, for sustained animal health and disease prophylaxis, for environmentally friendly animal nutrition etc. They will be trained to carry out interdisciplinary and disciplinary research at the highest level. The course Ruminant Science (HS) offered in autumn has a similar structure but is complementary to this course.
ContentFields (contact hours)
- Introduction
- Interdisciplinary topics: 12 h
- Organic Ruminant Systems
- Tropical Ruminant Systems
- Mastitis
- Disciplinary topics: 36 h
- Cattle, Sheep and Goat Breeding: 12 h
- Ruminant Diseases and Prophylaxis: 12 h
- Ruminant Nutrition and the Environment (incl. general introduction): 12 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 focal areas 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 (planned interdisciplinary topics: Lameness, Fertility in Cows, Food Intake; disciplinary courses: Animal Husbandry, Ruminant Reproduction, Nutrition Physiology in Ruminants). 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, 2 credit units are reserved for an initial self-study of the basics necessary to successfully pass the minor. A realistic self-assessment concerning the need for additional self-study is recommended for students which focused on Agricultural and Resource Economics in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science ETH. This necessary effort depends on the extent to which animal science courses have been already attended in the BSc.

The control of performance will consist of:
- an own lecture
- an interdisciplinary final oral examination with focus on comprehension of the fundamental linkages rather than of specific details