Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare
Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare
A barn of dairy cows at sunset

Undergraduate and DVM students 

CCSAW core faculty teach several about animals and their welfare in several courses, and we also often involve undergraduates in our research projects. Several CCSAW faculty have won awards for their teaching and student advising: we’re committed to excellent training, be it in the classroom, the lab or the barn!  

Undergraduate courses in welfare and related topics

Details of all animal-related undergraduate offerings can be found in the University of Guelph Undergraduate Calendar. These include (along with other courses offered by the Psychology and Integrative Biology departments) opportunities to learn about animal behaviour and welfare in Principles of Animal Care and Welfare (ANSC*2210); Principles of Animal Behaviour (ANSC*3090); Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare (ANSC*4090); and Animal Welfare Judging and Evaluation (ANSC*4010) which offers students a unique chance to travel and take part in the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Welfare Assessment Contest.

Undergraduates can also gain a broader societal understanding of how humans interact with other species, through courses like The Sociology of Food (SOC*4420) and Advanced Philosophy of the Environment (PHIL*4040).  

Animal welfare research opportunities

Undergraduates can gain experience collecting data with CCSAW faculty and their graduate students, via research courses like Research in Animal Biology (ANSC*4700 and 4710), Research in Biomedical Sciences (BIOM*4510), Research in Integrative Biology (IBIO*4500) and others, depending on program. At the start of each semester, paid research opportunities with CCSAW faculty may be available via the Work Study program operated by Experience Guelph. These include summer URA and USRA positions.

If you are an undergraduate, you can find volunteer and research course opportunities by contacting CCSAW faculty whose work interests you.  

Other ways to learn and get involved

The CCSAW Student Chapter always welcomes new members, and we love to see undergraduates at our seminars and annual symposium. If you are involved with another undergraduate club with an animal focus, another ways to connect with CCSAW is to invite our faculty or graduate students to speak at your events.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students 

If you’re an OVC Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) student, you’ll find welfare topics woven into many of your courses. Other ways to get involved with CCSAW include: 

The Dairy Care rotation in dairy welfare

Twice a year, CCSAW core and associated faculty offer a week-long dairy rotation for DVM students in their final year of study, as part of the Saputo Dairy Care Program.

This unique rotation provides hands-on experience and structured learning around the assessment of cow well-being, as well as an opportunity to interact with other students from across Canada and around the world.

We fund placements for Canadian and international students travelling from outside of Ontario. You can find out more details on our Saputo Dairy Cattle Welfare Rotation page, including how to apply.

CCSAW’s award-winning teaching 

Several CCSAW faculty have won college, university or national awards for their teaching and graduate advising. These include: