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Course Content
Year 1
Unit 1 | Introduction to the Role of Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 2 | Research in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 3 | Education and Learning in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 4 | Conservation and Collection Planning in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 5 | Enclosure Management in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 6 | Principles of Breeding in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 7 | Animal Transfers, Records and Health in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 8 | Nutrition in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 9 | Horticulture in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 10 | Ethics and Welfare in Zoos and AquariumsYear 2
Unit 11 | Animal Research Project in Zoos or Aquariums
Unit 31 | Specialist Husbandry Portfolio in Zoos or Aquariums
Unit 32 | Training and Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 12 | Management of Invertebrates in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 13 | Management of Freshwater Fish in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 14 | Management of Live Food Culture in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 15 | Management of Marine Fish in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 16 | Management of Elasmobranchs in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 17 | Management of Coral Reef Aquariums in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 18 | Management of Aquatic Mammals in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 19 | Management of Chelonia and Crocodilians in Zoos
Unit 20 | Management of Snakes and Lizards in Zoos
Unit 21 | Management of Amphibians in Zoos and Aquariums
Unit 22 | Management of Aviary Birds in Zoos
Unit 23 | Management of Aquatic Birds in Zoos
Unit 24 | Management of Raptors in Zoos
Unit 25 | Management of Paddock Birds in Zoos
Unit 26 | Management of Primates in Zoos
Unit 27 | Management of Small Mammals in Zoos
Unit 28 | Management of Carnivores in Zoos
Unit 29 | Management of Ungulates in Zoos
Unit 30 | Management of Elephants in Zoos
Unit 33 | Transportation in Zoos and AquariumsThese units are themed into aquarist, herpetology, birds, mammals and invertebrate specialisms. Please contact the College for further details.
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FEES
Tuition fees are paid in full for each year of the course either by the student directly, or
their collection in some circumstances. Where this happens, learners may be required
to contract to work for an agreed time period after completing the course.Year 1 Costs:
EU countries £1,450 + one off City & Guilds £148 registration fee, lasting five years:
£1,598
Non-EU countries £1,957 + one off City & Guilds £148 registration fee, lasting five
years: £2,097 (includes recorded full sessions of face-to-face teaching from the
UK based Residential Event)Year 2 Costs:
EU countries: £1,450. Non-EU countries: £1,957.
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COURSE DELIVERY
Each candidate will be assigned to the nearest Regional Centre to their collection and the corresponding Regional Co-ordinator, whose role is to ensure smooth running of the programme. In some circumstances a candidate in a new country to the course will be assigned directly to the course manager at Sparsholt.
All students within a particular region must begin the course by attending an Induction event online via Microsoft Teams, when the course content is explained, course materials provided and key personnel identified. These events will happen in August before the start of the Academic year. The course is run using electronic technology via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) where resources and assignments are available. Submitted assignments are uploaded to the VLE and marked electronically by a panel of industry experts. In addition an ‘Open Athens’ account is provided to all candidates to remotely access the library and its wealth of electronic books, journals and media. Therefore, candidates should be aware that regular access to a computer, reliable Internet and an email account is essential.
Course content and outcomes are guided directly by BIAZA and as such remain updated for relevance to real Zookeepers and Aquarists ‘on the ground’ and the course operates in English as the spoken and written language. Where subjects cover legislation international students are still required to learn the BIAZA/UK based case; but are encouraged to compare this to their local situation as well.
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ASSESSMENT
Each core unit will be assessed by one written assignment – with ten assignments to be completed in Year 1 and eight in Year 2. It is expected that each assignment will take, on average, about 30 hours to complete and should be written at Level 3 (A Level equivalent) standard, in English, for submission.
In addition, candidates will also sit a National Test at the end of Year 1 (usually in the first week of September of Year 2) which is in two parts; one with questions on units 1 – 5 and the second with questions on units 6 – 10.
Assessment of written work in the second year is by a panel of taxonomic specialists and students select specific options to study. In addition, students will carry out a research project in a related subject of their own choosing and create an electronic portfolio of evidence of their practical skills – which is also remotely viewable for anyone in receipt of the secure link, anywhere in the world, during and after the
course.
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Key requirements
– IT literacy and reliable access to a computer and internet
– Formal school education completed with a satisfactory level of qualification (Equivalent to UK GCSE grade A-C or 9-4)
– Use of English at the equivalent to UK A Level standard
– Working in paid role as a Keeper/Aquarist in a licensed zoo/aquarium
Desirable
– Understanding of science equivalent to grades A-C (9-4) at UK GCSE
– Understanding of basic research and referencing using the Harvard system
Candidates may already have other qualifications and experience. Application forms are made available in October from Regional Co-ordinators and returned to them for approval by the end of May each year, in readiness for Induction. Please note your collection is also required to countersign the application to confirm your role.