Animal Behaviour

BIOL21432 Animal Behaviour 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 2 Ben Chapman Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Middle part of Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 Animal Behaviour aims to provide a detailed overview of the study of animal behaviour from an evolutionary perspective. The unit will provide a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological and hormonal mechanisms underpinning animal behaviour and critically examine how evolutionary theory can help us understand why animals behave the way they do. You will be introduced to foundational concepts in neurobiology (e.g. learning, neuronal control of behaviour, sensory systems and communication), animal behaviour (e.g. foraging, predator prey interactions, sexual selection) and evolutionary theory (e.g. kin selection and cooperation, conflicts of interest, evolutionary strategies).  Upon successfully completing this unit, students should:• Understand the way that researchers study and test hypotheses in animal behaviour• Understand how animals learn and the neurobiological and hormonal mechanisms that elicit animal behaviour• Be able to explain the key concepts in animal behaviour by describing theoretical expectations and empirical demonstrations of these concepts• Have a clear understanding of how evolutionary processes shape animal behaviour    The unit aims to provide a detailed overview of the study of animal behaviour from an evolutionary perspective. The unit will provide a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological and hormonal mechanisms underpinning animal behaviour and critically examine how evolutionary theory can help us understand why animals behave the way they do. The unit will introduce students to foundational concepts in neurobiology (e.g. learning, neuronal control of behaviour, sensory systems and communication), animal behaviour (e.g. foraging, predator prey interactions, animal navigation, sexual selection, play) and evolutionary theory (e.g. kin selection and cooperation, conflicts of interest, evolutionary strategies).  An in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms and evolutionary pressures that shape animal behaviour. Students will understand the link between the nervous system/hormones and behaviour, how selection acts on behaviours, and how selection can lead to behaviours ranging from competition to cooperation. The ability to critically assess animal behaviour and evolutionary processes. The ability to perform behavioural observations and draw conclusions by statistically analysing data. Using logic and critical thinking skills to develop and test evolutionary idea and statistical skills to analyse data. Analytical skills Students will use statistics to analyse data for research assignments. Students will also learn how to interpret and analyse data presented in published studies. Group/team working Students will work together to collect data for research assignments. Innovation/creativity Presenting data requires creativity. Students will learn how to present their data succinctly in a visually appealing manner. Research Students will participate in research assignments that critically examine animal behaviour. Written communication Students will write research reports that summarize scientific literature and report the finding of their in class research assignments. The majority of the teaching process will be lecture-based.  1 Written exam 60% 9 Set exercise 40% Set exercise: MCQ test: 40%Exam: essay: 60%We will also set an optional formative assignment The formative assignment will have generic feedback and we run a drop in zoom session to discuss the answers.  BIOL10521 Genes, Evolution and Development Pre-Requisite Compulsory BIOL21232 Fundamentals of Evolutionary Biology Co-Requisite Recommended BIOL21432 Pre-requisite is BIOL10521   N ·         Wyatt, T.D. 2017. Animal Behaviour: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.·         Alcock J. 2013. Animal Behaviour. 10th ed. Sinauer.·         Manning A. and Dawkins M.S. 2012. An Introduction to Animal Behaviour. 6th ed. Cambridge University Press.·         Breed M.D. and Moore J. 2013. Animal Behaviour. Academic Press. Lectures 22 0 78