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  6. ZO4539: Advanced Behavioural Ecology

ZO4539: ADVANCED BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY (2020-2021)

Last modified: 17 Aug 2020 14:00


Course Overview

This course will give you the opportunity to explore, for example, why some individuals behave differently from others within the same species, and how insights on behaviours can improve the implementation of conservation plans.

Academics working at the cutting edge of behavioural research will report on the state-of-art in their field.

Directed learnings will encourage further exploration of core topics through discussion of research papers and construction of computer-based models to illustrate concepts.

A continuous assessment where you will produce a grant proposal for research into behavioural ecology will introduce you to the process of research planning.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Natalie Pilakouta

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of BSc Biology (Studied) or BSc Conservation Biology (Studied) or BSc Plant Biology (Studied) or BSc Zoology (Studied) or BSc Animal Ecology (Studied) or Non-Graduating Student in Zoology Erasmus (Studied) or BSc Marine Biology (Studied) or BSc Parasitology (Studied) or Bachelor Of Science In Animal Behaviour And Welfare (Studied) or BSc Animal Behaviour (Studied) or BSc Behavioural Biology (Studied) or MSci Biological Sciences (Studied) or BSc Biological Sciences (Honours) (Studied) or BSc Plant and Soil Sciences (Studied) or Bachelor Of Science In Environmental And Forest Management (Studied) or BSc Ecology (Studied) or BSc Wildlife Management (Studied) or BSc Forestry (Studied) or BSc Forest Sciences (Studied) or BSc Environmental Science (Studied)
  • One of BI2001 Community Ecology (Passed) or BI2016 Community Ecology (Passed) or BI2019 Community Ecology (Passed) or BI2020 Ecology (Passed) or BI2022 Ecology (Online) (Passed) or BI2522 Ecology (Online) (Passed) or BI2922 Ecology (Online) (Passed) or BI3505 Behavioural Biology (Passed) or ZO3010 Animal Evolution and Biodiversity (Passed) or ZO3011 Animal Evolution and Biodiversity (Passed) or ZO3303 Animal Population Ecology (Passed) or ZO3304 Marine Ecology and Ecosystems (Passed) or ZO3305 Animal Population Ecology (Passed) or ZO3306 Marine Ecology and Ecosystems (Passed) or ZO3307 Animal Population Ecology (Passed) or ZO3507 Animal Behaviour (Passed) or ZO3508 Marine Ecology and Ecosystems (Passed) or ZO3510 Animal Behaviour (Passed)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Topics covered include, investigating personality traits, optimality and game theory, ecological and evolutionary aspects of mate choice, or animal cooperation. Lectures will be supplemented by case studies in key topics, student-centred learning, discussion groups and debates based on current journal articles. Practical components of the course are (i) the use of computer-based modelling to gain a better understanding of theoretical concepts in behavioural ecology; and (ii) group writing of a grant proposal to develop your critical thinking on the use of behavioural ecology for conservation purposes


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Tutorial/Seminar Participation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 15
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Project Plan, Summary or Abstract

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Groups will also be given generic feedback. Students who are identified as having difficulty in successfully completing the coursework assessment tasks will be invited to meet members of the course team to identify difficulties and discuss solutions.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback Word Count
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Oral Presentation: Group

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Re-submission of failed elements

Assessment Type Summative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
 

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