VCM 694: Core Concepts in One Welfare, Veterinary Ethics, and Animal Behavior

Course Description

Veterinary scientists today are called to solve complex, interconnected challenges that impact animals, humans, and the environment. This course integrates One Welfare, veterinary ethics, and animal and human behavior to prepare students to engage in projects that address these problems. In the course students will critically evaluate the One Welfare framework, applying systems thinking to global issues that link animal welfare, public health, and environmental sustainability. Through case-based learning and multidisciplinary collaboration, they will assess cultural, ethical, and policy dimensions of real-world welfare challenges and design practical, welfare-sensitive interventions. Students will also explore veterinary moral philosophy, from deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics to the AVMA Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics, to navigate professional dilemmas, reduce moral stress, and promote well-being for both animals and care providers. A deep dive into animal and human behavior will illuminate the biological, psychological, and social drivers of behavior, equipping students to improve animal management, husbandry, training, and welfare outcomes.

In this course, students will develop a framework for developing skills in ethical reasoning, behavioral science, and One Welfare principles that will help them contribute to teams that are engaged in driving meaningful change across clinical practice, research, and public health.

Learning Format

This three-credit course is designed as an integrated sequence composed of three one-credit modules: One Welfare, Veterinary Ethics, and Animal and Human Behavior. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the full three-credit sequence to gain a cohesive understanding of the interconnected themes.

Special permission is required for enrollment in an individual module outside the integrated course structure.

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