BI3810: FIELD SKILLS IN ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04

Course Overview

Weekly field trips will provide opportunities to observe wildlife and develop an understanding of the adaptive value of animal behaviour.

Tasks involving the design of simple experiments to address cause and function of animal behaviour will develop skills in experimental design and hypothesis testing.

Training in the use of a field notebook allows students to demonstrate competence in record keeping.

Written report and oral presentation on a field based experiment supports the develop of communication skills.

Short weekly lectures will reinforce concepts, outline expectations and provide a framework for the practical work in the field.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	3
Session	Second Sub Session	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Pierre Bize

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

One of Biology (BI) or Ecology (EK) or Environmental Sciences (EV) or Forestry (FY) or Plant Science (PL) or Zoology (ZO)
Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4
Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

BI3505 Behavioural Biology

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

ZO3515 Animal Evolution and Biodiversity (Passed)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

The overall aim of the course is to provide an understanding of the adaptive value of animal behaviour and how it can be analysed. Focusing on the fact that “Nature is on our doorstep”, the course is framed around day trips around Scotland to observe wildlife. Students will design simple experiments in the field on animals across a wide variety of taxa, ranging from large mammals and birds to invertebrates, to address cause and function of animal behaviour.

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 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

(i) Field notebook (1 x 30%)

(ii) Short group report: guided project (2x 20%)

(iii) Short individual report: unguided project (1x 30%)

Resit (for students taking course in Academic Year 2020/21):

Resit of any failed element

Resit (for students who tookl the Academic Year 2019/20 and C8 students):