BL2312 Animal Behaviour

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 8

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

Lectures: 12pm Mon&Tues odd weeks, 12pm Mon-Weds even weeks Practical classes: 2.00 - 5.00 pm Mon or Tue (weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, 11)

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

An animal behaviour researcher studies how and why animals behave as they do. This module covers the four broad ways in which we explain behaviour in a range of animals, including examples from all major taxa and from all habitats. Those four broad components are : 1) development, including imprinting, vocal learning; 2) mechanism, including sensory systems in different environments, hormones and pheromones; 3) function, including group living, mating systems; 4) evolution, including kin selection and inclusive fitness, sexual selection.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS BL1101 AND PASS BL1102

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50% Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

2-Hour Written Examination = 50%, Existing Coursework = 50% (if Exam failed) Existing Examination = 50%, New Coursework = 50% (if Coursework failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (if coursework and exam failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100%(for Qualified Honours Entry)

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Across the semester: 23 x 1h lectures, 3 x 1h tutorials, 4 x 3h practicals

Scheduled learning hours

38

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.

Intended learning outcomes

  • students will be able to Understand the conceptual basis of animal behaviour as encapsulated by Tinbergen's 4 questions.
  • Have basic knowledge of foundational aspects of animal behaviour such as foraging, group living, and mating.
  • Have an appreciation of the mechanistic basis of animal behaviour including genes, neural systems, and hormones.
  • Have basic knowledge and hands-on experience methods of analysis of animal behaviour.