2025
Advanced Studies in Animal Nutrition
Name: Advanced Studies in Animal Nutrition
Code: ZOO10420M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Animal Science
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The objective of the curricular unit is to provide a solid and integrated knowledge of the nutrition of the domestic animals through the development of some topics at an advanced level. Besides to develop capacities of inter-relation, explanation and interpretation of diets of ruminants and monogastrics, the student will develop capacities of evaluation and communication through the development, presentation and discussion of a specific subject on animal nutrition area.
Contents
ENERGY: Utilization of energy by the animal. Energy requirements of the animal for maintenance and production (gestation, lactation, liveweigh gain, eggs). Systems for expressing the energy value of foods and the energy requirements of ruminants and monogastrics.
PROTEIN: Digestion, absorption and use of the protein in monogastrics and ruminants. Mesures of protein quality for monogastrics and ruminants. Utilization of non-protein nitrogen coumpounds by the ruminant. Protein and amino acids requirements for maintenance, growth and milk production. Systems for expressing the protein value of foods and the protein requirements of monogastrics and ruminants.
FIBER: Concept, methodologies for its quantification and characterization. Effects of dietary fiber in nutrition and feeding of ruminants an monogastrics.
FOOD INTAKE: Theories of voluntary intake control. Voluntary food intake and diet selection in ruminants and non ruminants.
FEEDSTUFS: Evaluation of foods. Feed components and feed categories. Factors influencing the nutritive value of foods. Additives for use in animal nutrition.
FEEDING AND NUTRITION OF NON RUMINANTS: Amino acid digestibility in formulation of diets for pigs and poultry. Ideal protein. Utilization of exogenous enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids and plant extracts in pig and poultry diets. Modification of carcass and meat quality and egg quality trough nutrition. Particular aspects of equine and animal companion animal nutrition.
diets for pigs and poultry. Ideal protein. Utilization of exogenous enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids and plant extracts in pig and poultry diets. Modification of carcass and meat quality and egg quality trough nutrition. Particular aspects of equine and animal companion animal nutrition.
NUTRITION AND ENVIRONMENT: Animal nutrition and environmental interactions. Feeding strategies for reducing environmental impact in intensive and extensive systems. Diets to reduce the excretion of nitrogen, phosphorus and methane emission.
RATION FORMULATION: Methods of formulating rations. Feed tables and databases of feed composition. Tables of nutrient requirements. Formulation of rations for monogastrics. Ration formulation and analysis of diets for dairy and beef cattle.
PROTEIN: Digestion, absorption and use of the protein in monogastrics and ruminants. Mesures of protein quality for monogastrics and ruminants. Utilization of non-protein nitrogen coumpounds by the ruminant. Protein and amino acids requirements for maintenance, growth and milk production. Systems for expressing the protein value of foods and the protein requirements of monogastrics and ruminants.
FIBER: Concept, methodologies for its quantification and characterization. Effects of dietary fiber in nutrition and feeding of ruminants an monogastrics.
FOOD INTAKE: Theories of voluntary intake control. Voluntary food intake and diet selection in ruminants and non ruminants.
FEEDSTUFS: Evaluation of foods. Feed components and feed categories. Factors influencing the nutritive value of foods. Additives for use in animal nutrition.
FEEDING AND NUTRITION OF NON RUMINANTS: Amino acid digestibility in formulation of diets for pigs and poultry. Ideal protein. Utilization of exogenous enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids and plant extracts in pig and poultry diets. Modification of carcass and meat quality and egg quality trough nutrition. Particular aspects of equine and animal companion animal nutrition.
diets for pigs and poultry. Ideal protein. Utilization of exogenous enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids and plant extracts in pig and poultry diets. Modification of carcass and meat quality and egg quality trough nutrition. Particular aspects of equine and animal companion animal nutrition.
NUTRITION AND ENVIRONMENT: Animal nutrition and environmental interactions. Feeding strategies for reducing environmental impact in intensive and extensive systems. Diets to reduce the excretion of nitrogen, phosphorus and methane emission.
RATION FORMULATION: Methods of formulating rations. Feed tables and databases of feed composition. Tables of nutrient requirements. Formulation of rations for monogastrics. Ration formulation and analysis of diets for dairy and beef cattle.
Teaching Methods
TEACHING:
During the classes a theoretical exposition of the subjects will be conducted followed by the resolution of practical exercises or study cases. The auto learning will be privileged by the discussion of scientific papers related with the main topics of syllabus. During the course each student will elaborate a specific topic related to animal nutrition or a nutrition programme for an animal species. This work will be presented and discussed at the end of the course. When possible the lectures will be complemented with , monitoring of feeding trials and technical study visits.
During the classes a theoretical exposition of the subjects will be conducted followed by the resolution of practical exercises or study cases. The auto learning will be privileged by the discussion of scientific papers related with the main topics of syllabus. During the course each student will elaborate a specific topic related to animal nutrition or a nutrition programme for an animal species. This work will be presented and discussed at the end of the course. When possible the lectures will be complemented with , monitoring of feeding trials and technical study visits.
Assessment
Students can choose one of two assessment methods: continuous assessment or final assessment by exam.
Continuous Assessment: This method consists of 4 assessment elements, all with a minimum grade of 9 points, with the weighted average of the 4 assessment elements having a minimum grade of 10 points:
Critical Analysis of Scientific Literature: Two assessment elements
? Critical discussion of two recent scientific articles, at two points during the semester, in order to allow for an evolution between the first and second assessment moments. The critical discussion of the first article has a weight of 15% and that of the second article, a weight of 20% of the final grade.
Case Study:
? Development, in groups, of a project on a complex animal nutrition challenge (formulation, precision feeding, sustainability or innovation), culminating in a technical-scientific report and oral presentation (20%).
Final Written Assessment (45%)
Final Assessment (by Exam):
A final exam consisting of an individual written test, covering all the material included in the syllabus (100%). In any system, passing requires a final grade of 10 points or higher.
Continuous Assessment: This method consists of 4 assessment elements, all with a minimum grade of 9 points, with the weighted average of the 4 assessment elements having a minimum grade of 10 points:
Critical Analysis of Scientific Literature: Two assessment elements
? Critical discussion of two recent scientific articles, at two points during the semester, in order to allow for an evolution between the first and second assessment moments. The critical discussion of the first article has a weight of 15% and that of the second article, a weight of 20% of the final grade.
Case Study:
? Development, in groups, of a project on a complex animal nutrition challenge (formulation, precision feeding, sustainability or innovation), culminating in a technical-scientific report and oral presentation (20%).
Final Written Assessment (45%)
Final Assessment (by Exam):
A final exam consisting of an individual written test, covering all the material included in the syllabus (100%). In any system, passing requires a final grade of 10 points or higher.
Recommended Reading
Animal Nutrition (7ª edição) (2010). P. McDonald, R.A. Edwards, J.F.D. Greenhalgh and C.A. Morgan.
Alimentation des Bovins, Ovins et Caprins (1988). INRA, França
Alimentation des animaux monogastriques : porc, lapin et volailles (1988). INRA, França
Nutritional Ecology of the Ruminant (1994). P.J. Van Soest
Teaching Staff
Accreditations and Certifications
