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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
Term Second Term 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?

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

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 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term 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):

Resit of any failed element

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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