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ZO4543: BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION (2022-2023)

Last modified: 20 Jan 2023 16:02


Course Overview

This course will give you the opportunity to explore 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 learning activities will encourage further exploration of core topics through discussion of research papers and construction of computer-based models to illustrate concepts.

You will also be introduced to the process of research planning through a continuous assessment where you will produce a grant proposal for research at the intersection of behavioural ecology and conservation.

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

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

  • 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)
  • One of BSc Biology or BSc Conservation Biology or BSc Plant Biology or BSc Zoology or BSc Animal Ecology or Non-Graduating Student in Zoology Erasmus or BSc Marine Biology or BSc Parasitology or Bachelor Of Science In Animal Behaviour And Welfare or BSc Animal Behaviour or BSc Behavioural Biology or MSci Biological Sciences or BSc Biological Sciences (Honours) or BSc Plant and Soil Sciences or Bachelor Of Science In Environmental And Forest Management or BSc Ecology or BSc Wildlife Management or BSc Forestry or BSc Forest Sciences or BSc Environmental Science
  • Programme Level 4

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Topics covered include sexual conflict, parental care, animal cooperation, personality traits, optimality and game theory, and ecological and evolutionary aspects of mate choice. 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) development of a grant proposal focusing on the application of behavioural ecology in conservation.


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

Oral Presentation: Group

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
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

Grant proposal

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
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
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Computer practicals

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 15
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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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

Peer review feedback

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 5
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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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

Memes based on lectures

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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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

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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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
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstanding of the role of behavioural ecology in other biological disciplines and systems such as population and evolutionary ecology
ProceduralApplyEnhanced skills in written communication through the writing of a grant proposal.
ProceduralApplyEnhanced skills in oral communication through the discussion of papers and oral presentation of a grant proposal
ProceduralApplyUnderstanding of the importance of behavioural ecology in applied situations, such as population management and conservation
ProceduralAnalyseEnhanced skills in data manipulation, analysis, and modelling through computer based practical sessions
ProceduralUnderstandUnderstanding of research methodology within the field of behavioural ecology, with respect to both theoretical and practical aspects

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