BL5042 Advanced Animal Cognition

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof S D Healy

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team-taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

In the 21st century animal cognition forms a significant component of animal behaviour and St Andrews has multiple researchers at the forefront of the field. In this module we will investigate the cognitive abilities of animals, with particular interest in understanding the adaptive value of those abilities. We will develop an understanding of animal cognition based on standard animal models (typically rats and pigeons), but we will extend those principles to addressing cognitive abilities in 'real' animals behaving in the 'real' world. We will use Shettleworth's book, already the key animal cognition text, as our starting point with student-led seminars providing breadth by presenting examples from the recent burgeoning of literature on non-model animals. The result will be a stimulating opportunity to develop a critical understanding of how animals perceive their world, how their cognitive abilities are shaped by that world and how those abilities lead to reproductive success.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

MUST PASS BL3319. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO MSC ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR STUDENTS.

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3-hours Seminars (11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

33

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

110

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.