‘Highly Commended’ Theses recognition
Two BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Health graduates from Duchy College, have been recognised by the British Society of Animal Science Award (BSAS) for their outstanding work and thesis research within their professional field of practice.
Darcey Bowser and Karl Schmidtke, studied at the Stoke Climsland campus, have been ‘highly commended’ for their third-year dissertations, which will be summarised for an online publication in the BSAS ‘fledgling bytes’.
Darcey, who also received the ‘Student of the Year’ award at graduation, carried out an Investigation into modern equine management practices and their impact on the prevalence of equine agonistic behaviours.
Commenting on this achievement, she said: “I feel so honoured for my thesis to have been selected and it is a privilege to have my work recognised. I care deeply about improving animal welfare.
“I am now undertaking a master’s degree in Animal Welfare, Behaviour, Ethics and Law where I plan to continue researching the link between management practices and agonistic behaviours seen not only in equines, but in other species.
“I hope that it may lead to improvements in policy regarding the way that animals are managed in domestic and commercial settings,” Darcey continued.
Meanwhile, Karl researched the Kinematic action under applied rein tension of the loose ring single-jointed snaffle bit, and is currently completing a PhD at Plymouth University.
Karl expressed his delight and said: “I have a passion for equine welfare and my research focuses on the impact the use of bits has on the equine mouth. My PhD research project with Plymouth University is focused on modelling the forces within the ridden horse’s mouth.”
The graduates were nominated for ‘Thesis of the Year Award’ by their programme manager, Michelle Chappell, who said she is “incredibly proud of their achievements.”
“Having one dissertation being awarded highly commended is an achievement but for both submissions being recognised for their quality and contribution to animal science is outstanding,” Michelle expressed.
She added: “It’s fantastic to see how their hard work has been recognised, with the research findings now being shared on a global platform. Only 2 theses are permitted to be submitted per institute, with 10 being awarded nationally. The whole higher education team is delighted.”
The British Society of Animal Science Award (BSAS) acknowledges the best of undergraduate research and aims to demonstrate the quality of animal science students and their work, globally, to both academic and industry audiences.
For more on the university level programmes available through The Cornwall College Group, and new updated degree programmes, please visit www.cornwall.ac.uk/degrees
Latest News
A Pioneering Agritech Centre coming to Bicton College
Bicton College, a leader in land-based education in the South West, is set to launch a new state-of-the-art facility that will revolutionise agritech education in the UK. The new Agritech Advanced Engineering Centre, is a pioneering facility designed to meet the growing needs of the agricultural technology sector and provide cutting-edge training opportunities currently unavailable in the region. Read More
Elite Riding Academy shaping equestrian excellence in the South West
As the South West gears up for equestrian excellence, the esteemed Elite Riding Academy at Bicton College is preparing some of the region’s most accomplished young riders to showcase their skills at the prestigious Devon County Show and Bicton Arena’s International Horse Trials in May. For over a decade, Bicton College, part of The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), has provided young people the o Read More
College Launches Custom Training for Employer Needs
The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), the largest educational provider in the South West, has announced the launch of Career Skills Training, a new initiative focused on providing tailored skills development aligned with local industry needs. The innovative suite of employer-focused training, set to uplift the regional workforce in key industries, targets the urgent need for specialised skills develo Read More
Bicton College welcomes new feathered resident to its licensed zoo
Bicton College is thrilled to introduce the newest addition to its licensed zoo: Herbert, a nine-year-old Indian Eagle owl. Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of the South West, Bicton College’s zoo serves as a dynamic learning environment for aspiring animal experts, handlers and veterinary nurses. With a diverse array of species, the zoo offers unparalleled opportunities for hands-on ex Read More