ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR
Course Code
ZO 3510
Credit Points
15
Course Coordinator
Dr V Louca

Pre-requisites

BI 1005 or other students may be admitted on to the course at the discretion of the course coordinator.

Co-requisites

None

Overview

This course introduces the biological basis for animal behaviour, considering how behaviour contributes to survival, the proximate mechanisms of behaviours, behavioural development and evolution. Examples of topics covered include: the genetic basis of behaviour, motivation and cognition, maturation and learning, individual decisions, social behaviour, predator/prey interactions and communication.

Structure

Lectures, seminars and practicals; total contact time about 42 hours.

6 week course (thread 2, weeks 30-35).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (60%); continuous assessment (40%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar and workshop sessions.

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.