Zoo strategy: collection planning, sustainability, business planning, workflow, finances, funding model, stud books, national (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA)), regional (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)) and international (World Association and Zoos and Aquaria (WAZA)) organisations.

Management of people: organisational structure, hierarchy and job roles, line management, level of authority, accountability, policy, equality and diversity, equal opportunities, General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Networking: the use of social media, conferences, seminars, training events to develop career opportunities for undergraduates.

Professional industry skills: encouraging, motivating and supporting people, recognising achievement, task delegation, expected performance from individuals, monitor team performance, constructive feedback to teams, management underperformance. Customer service, dealing with escalation of complaints.

Work placement: Determine personal objectives within supervisory role, negotiate and agree an action plan with a supervisor and/or an employer, develop industry supervisory skills, gain new experiences and add to work skills for CV.

Work experience reflection: Reflection of experience gained, contribution of work experience to career development and personal skills development.

NOTE: In order to achieve this module, the students must provide evidence of having completed at least 75 hours of work experience for this module (mandatory element 0% weighting). However, it is recommended that students complete up to 220 hours in order to gain a solid level of experience, sound development of skills and sufficient opportunity to add depth and detail to the assessments.


The first assessment will be an investigative case study (1000 words) on zoo strategy and management of people (50%) LO’s 1 and 2

The second assessment will be a work experience logbook (1000 words) that evidences a minimum of 75 hours (and up to 220 hours expected) of industry experience within a supervisory role and Continuing Professional Development opportunities such as conferences, seminars and training events (15%) LO’s 3 and 4

The third and final assessment will be a 15-minute presentation, plus 5 minutes for questioning critically reflecting upon the work-based learning experience (35%) LO’s 3 and 4

The module will also involve a range of formative assessment techniques to assess learning and progress throughout the module including self, peer and tutor evaluation, targeted questioning and critical analysis of techniques and skills.

Although this intended as a face to face delivery module, there is opportunity and expectation that there is flexibility in the delivery of the theory elements and use of online and remote learning will be available as required.

This module will be delivered via classroom sessions (60 hours over 2 semesters) that will deliver theory via a range of methods such as traditional lectures, group activities, guest speakers, individual tasks, questioning, role play, modelling, kinaesthetic activities, short research tasks and tutorials and seminars to develop underpinning knowledge and understanding.

This module also requires students to complete a minimum of 75 hours (with an expectation of up to 220 hours) of combined industry experience and Continuing Professional Development opportunities such as conferences, seminars and training events.

On top of this it is expected that students will partake in at least 65 hours of additional independent learning for this module. This will include, but is not limited to, preparation for classroom sessions (10hrs), extending classroom notes via extended reading and research (15hrs), completion of tasks leading from classroom sessions and VLE based tasks (20hrs) and researching, planning and producing assignments (20 hrs).

Technology enhanced learning: All module material will be made available electronically on a Microsoft Teams based virtual learning environment. This will include the ability for students to access some lectures remotely - either live or via asynchronous delivery of voiced over slides, screen capture demonstrations or in house produced training videos. This will also allow formative tasks and in class exercises to be completed and reviewed live. It will allow the linking of technology based supplementary material including, but not limited to, journal links, live seminars and conferences, you tube videos, animal live webcams at zoos and wild areas, online software such as Google Map layers and MINITAB. Use of collaborative learning platforms and other interactive learning, progress and assessment tools and the internet in general will also be used to enhance learning. The college has bookable laptops for student use in all teaching blocks for students that do not have their own hardware to access this material in classroom based sessions. Students will also have their own ProPortal page that can be used to monitor and track their pastoral and academic progress, career development and personal targets and is managed by the tutor through ProMonitor.
Work placements are logged and tracked through Grofar, within which, students, tutors and placement mentors can communicate and track learning.

1. Develop critical understanding of zoo management strategies to ensure collection planning and business objectives are met.

Knowledge and understanding
Learning

2. Review and analyse hierarchy structures within the zoo and conservation industry and the management and performance of staff.

Knowledge and understanding
Learning

3. Work professionally and develop industry appropriate skills in an effective supervisory respect according to individual action plans and objectives.

Problem solving Communication
Application

4. Critically reflect on the value and relevance of work placement undertaken.

Knowledge and understanding
Problem solving
Reflection

ITC Facilities with internet access
Staffordshire University Library
Well-equipped classroom facilities
Rodbaston Animal Zone
~150 hectare managed college owned estate of mixed arable and livestock farmland, ancient woodland, wetlands, ponds, pools and grasslands
Appropriately equipped laboratory
Virtual Learning Environment
Learning Support Centre
Industry Links
Employer Links for Work Experience opportunities

Essential Reading
Hosey, G., Melfi, V. and Pankhurst, S. (2013). Zoo Animals: Behaviour, Management, and Welfare. Oxford. OUP

Recommended Reading

Davis, J., Wolff, Hans-Georg., Monica, Forret., and Sullivan, S. (2020). Networking via LinkedIn: An examination of usage and career benefits. Journal of Vocational Behavior. Volume 118, April 2020

Hutchins, M., Willis, K. and Wiese, R. (1995) Strategic collection planning: Theory and practice. Zoo Biology. Volume 14. Issue 1

Navarro, A. (2011) Good Networking/Bad Networking. Physician Executive. Volume 37, issue 1

Web resources:
The Modern Zoo: Foundations for Management and Development
https://www.eaza.net/assets/Uploads/images/Membership-docs-and-images/Zoo-Management-Manual-compressed.pdf

Websites:
Staffordshire University library guides
https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/study-skills

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
https://biaza.org.uk/careers/

Association of British Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK)
https://abwak.org/careers/

Lantra
https://www.lantra.co.uk/jobs

National Careers Service
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/environment-and-land

European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)
https://www.eaza.net/about-us/eazadocuments/