In order to pass the course, the student must have active participation in lectures and exercises. A prerequisite for passing the examination is the preparation and defense of a seminar paper on a topic assigned by the supervisor (in the range A-E), which is the result of self-study. The examination is awarded on the basis of an assessment of the knowledge acquired (in the A-E range).

The student will gain theoretical and practical knowledge in the areas of animal hygiene and the effects of animal husbandry technologies on the health, productivity, and wellbeing of animals by successfully completing the course.

He will acquire knowledge in the field of using innovative procedures to improve animal hygiene, lessen the load on the environment, support animal health, reduce stress from the environment and consequently improve the welfare and production of animals as well as the quality of the working environment. The student will be able to assess the impact of temperature and other physical and chemical elements of the microclimate on the health and production of farm animals as part of the hygienic evaluation of animal farms.

The analysis of housing facility air quality will provide him with a picture of the microbial load, or the risks of microorganism spread into the surrounding environment and the food chain. He will apply his knowledge of improving the microclimate to disease prevention in animal farms, lowering the economic costs of treatment and diagnosis.

After finishing the course, the student will have enough knowledge to: 1. perform a zoohygienic analysis in animal farms; 2. objectively assess the interactions between individual housing environment factors; 3. evaluate the housing environment's changing conditions over time and space; and 4. evaluate short- and long-term critical stressors of the housing environment that have an impact on the health, productivity, and welfare of animals.

Performing zoohygienic analysis in livestock farming.

An objective evaluation of the interactions between individual housing environment factors.

Evaluation of the changing conditions of the housing environment in a given time and space.

Analyzing the essential housing stresses that have an short-term and long-term impact on the performance, welfare, and health of animals.

As part of the hygienic analysis of farms, evaluation of the impacts of temperature-humidity parameters on farm animals and the proposal of measures to reduce these effects.

Analysis of additional physical and chemical elements affecting the microclimate in farms.

Evaluation of the air quality of housing facilities and analysis of the risks of the spread of microorganisms into the surrounding environment.

Resolving the issue by utilizing innovative practices that enhance animal husbandry and hygiene.

1. Gregová, G., Vargová, M., Ondrašovičová, O., Sasáková, N., Veszelits Laktičová, K.: Animal hygiene and welfare, Košice, 2014.

2. Wathes, C.M., Charles, D.R.: Livestock housing, CAB International, 1994.

3. Vaarst, M. et all.: Animal health and welfare in organic agriculture, CABI, Publishing, 2004.

4. Aland, A., Madec, F.: Sustainable animal production, wageningen Academic Publishing, 2009.

5. Szücs, E. et all.: Farm animal Welfare, Environment & Food Quality Interaction Studies, ISBN 978-960-89849-0-5, 2007, pp. 73-168

Continuous assessment:

Preparation of seminar work.

Conditions for completion of course:

In order to pass the course, the student must have active participation in lectures and exercises. A prerequisite for passing the examination is the preparation and defense of a seminar paper on a topic assigned by the supervisor (in the range A-E), which is the result of self-study. The examination is awarded on the basis of an assessment of the knowledge acquired (in the A-E range).

Final assessment:

Credit is awarded on the A-E scale according to the Study Regulations of the UVLF in Košice.