Key facts
UNE unit code: ANSC101
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 2 - On Campus
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 6
Unit information

Safe and low-stress environments for animals and their human managers and carers is essential to sustainable animal systems and human-animal interactions. This unit develops student skills in handling animals (such as production, companion and wild species) so that both the animals and their human managers are safe and minimally stressed during close animal-human interactions.
Key animal handling skills assessed include observation, interaction and engagement. Students will learn the theory of animal cognition, behaviour and physiology which underpins best-practice animal handling techniques in a flipped-classroom structure, and will implement this knowledge in hands-on practicals.
Students will develop their understanding of how animal welfare fits into sustainable animal systems, and the production, social licence, environmental and economic consequences of poor handling.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 2 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 3 days | Mandatory Intensive School | Trimester 2, Online | The Intensive School is mandatory for online students. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- handle animals with regard to the safety, stress, and welfare of the animals and their human handlers;
- understand the core behavioural, health and husbandry principals which underlie best practice animal handling relevant to wild, companion, and production species;
- assess, measure, analyse and communicate data on animal behaviour and management; and
- understand the ethical, social, environmental and economic consequences of animal management and handling practices including veterinary chemical safety.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interview - Assurance Task | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Approximately 15 minutes. Oral assessments will be done in real time either face to face (on campus) or via zoom/teams (off campus). To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across Mid-Trimester Examination - Assurance Task, Online data exercise - Assurance Task and Interview - Assurance Task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Mandatory Practicals - Assurance Task | Yes | 5% | All offerings | The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence. There are 5 animal-based handling practicals in the unit. Students will receive a mark for participating in each of the animal handling activities (1 mark each). To pass this unit, you must achieve at least 4 marks in this task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Mid-Trimester Examination - Assurance Task | Yes | 25% | All offerings | To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across Mid-Trimester Examination - Assurance Task, Online data exercise - Assurance Task and Interview - Assurance Task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. There is a supervised exam during the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit. |
| Module Quizzes | Yes | 15% | All offerings | Multiple module and lesson quizzes will be completed throughout the trimester. No. Words: 2000 |
| Online data exercise - Assurance Task | Yes | 25% | All offerings | To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across Mid-Trimester Examination - Assurance Task, Online data exercise - Assurance Task and Interview - Assurance Task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. The data exercise will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit. No. Words: 1500 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Safe Handling and Restraint of Animals
ISBN: 9781119077923
Stella J Chapman, Wiley-Blackwell Ist 2018
Text refers to: All offerings
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