Last modified: 27 Oct 2022 11:00
Weekly practical activities will provide opportunities to observe animals 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 lab/field notebook allows students to demonstrate competence in record keeping.
Written report and oral presentation on a practical-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 or in the lab.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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The overall aim of the course is to provide an understanding of the adaptive value of animal behaviour and how it can be analysed. The course is framed around day trips around Aberdeen to observe wildlife, as well as practical tasks based on animals maintained in captivity. Students will design simple experiments on animals across a wide variety of taxa, ranging from large mammals and birds to invertebrates, to address cause and function of animal behaviour.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
4 group short reports worth 10% each Informal, formative feedback throughout the course. Verbal feedback to group and individualised written feedback. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Analyse | Evaluate and analyse field and lab data |
| Procedural | Apply | Develop observational skills to accurately record behaviours of a diverse range of animals |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Understand and apply key concepts in behavioural ecology |
| Reflection | Analyse | To develop skills in effective communication, including written reports and field/lab notebooks. |
| Reflection | Create | Learn to plan and conduct field and laboratory work in the context of behavioural ecology |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Informal, formative feedback throughout the course. Verbal feedback to group and individualised written feedback. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Analyse | To understand the fundamentals of experimental design, hypothesis testing and data analysis and conduct simple behavioural experiments both in the field and laboratory |
| Procedural | Analyse | Evaluate and analyse field and lab data |
| Procedural | Apply | Develop observational skills to accurately record behaviours of a diverse range of animals |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Understand and apply key concepts in behavioural ecology |
| Reflection | Analyse | To develop skills in effective communication, including written reports and field/lab notebooks. |
| Reflection | Create | Learn to plan and conduct field and laboratory work in the context of behavioural ecology |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Develop an understanding on how behaviour is adapted to the physical and social environment |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Individual written feedback on the notebook; informal, formative feedback throughout the course. Verbal feedback to group and individualised written feedback. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Apply | Develop observational skills to accurately record behaviours of a diverse range of animals |
| Reflection | Analyse | To develop skills in effective communication, including written reports and field/lab notebooks. |
| Reflection | Create | Learn to plan and conduct field and laboratory work in the context of behavioural ecology |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Students will repeat whichever elements of the assessment were failed or not completed at first sitting; the marks for elements already passed will be carried forwards. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Analyse | Evaluate and analyse field and lab data |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Develop an understanding on how behaviour is adapted to the physical and social environment |
| Procedural | Analyse | To understand the fundamentals of experimental design, hypothesis testing and data analysis and conduct simple behavioural experiments both in the field and laboratory |
| Reflection | Analyse | To develop skills in effective communication, including written reports and field/lab notebooks. |
| Reflection | Create | Learn to plan and conduct field and laboratory work in the context of behavioural ecology |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Understand and apply key concepts in behavioural ecology |
| Procedural | Apply | Develop observational skills to accurately record behaviours of a diverse range of animals |
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