6 ECTS credits
160 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4022289ENR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
This course provides insights in the basic concepts of behavioural biology, from its molecular background to the impact of environmental factors. In five chapters, it explains how behaviour is an important way of an animal to interact with its world. This is done by teaching a combination of established concepts in behavioural biology and recent scientific publications. Theoretical fundamentals will be taught to understand questions like: Why does territoriality exist? What is associative learning? Is a hierarchic ranking in social animals determined by an individual’s behaviour? What types of behavior are predestined in the genes? How flexible is an individual’s response to changing environmental / communication circumstances? The course includes the following five modules and subsections:
Module 1. The study of behaviour
1.1. Scientific approach to behaviour
1.2. Pitfalls in the study of behaviour
Module 2. Animal Communication
2.1. Communication concepts
2.2. Sensory systems
2.3. Multimodal communication
Module 3. The Genetics of Behaviour
3.1. Genetic basis of behaviour
3.2. Phenotypic plasticity
Module 4. Learning and Cognition
4.1. Innate behaviour
4.2. Acquired behaviour: learning
4.3. Cognition
Module 5. Social Behaviour
5.1. Territoriality and aggression
5.2. Mating behaviour
5.3. Parental care
In addition, to attain practical experience in the study of animal behaviour, students perform a small behavioural study as an individual practical assignment. The topic is self-chosen but needs approval by the lecturer. Students have three options for the assignment:
Option 1: behavioural study based on live observations:
Option 2: behavioural study based on online movies (e.g. Youtube)
Option 3: Critical literature study of specific behaviour + research plan
Two output forms of the assignment are possible:
form 1. Oral presentation (Options 1–2)
form 2. paper submission (Options 1–3)
Note: Option 3 is an emergency solution and requires specific approval by the lecturer. For this option, only a paper submission is possible.
Study material
- Powerpoint slides of the lectures (avaialble as pdf files on Canvas): these slides contain all study material.
- Video recordings of each lecture (available through Canvas).
- An overview of the course contents expected to be known for the exam
- Optional: text books and scientific papers cited during the course
- After the lectures, a Q&A session can be scheduled regarding the course contents or assignment.
By covering an important aspect of animals, this course broadens a biologist’s general knowledge of zoology. Furthermore, the course represents an excellent preparation for any biologist interested in pursuing a research carrier in behavioral biology. After following this course, students are expected to:
- have comprehensive knowledge of the fundamental theory of animal behavior, including its ecological, molecular genetic and evolutionary aspects;
- understand how individual flexibility and environmental factors affect animal behavior;
- have gained enough practical experience to be able to design and perform simple behavioural experiments;
- be able to report and present personal behavioral observations in a scientifically sound and objective way;
- be aware of the ethical concerns related to animal experimentation;
- be capable to understand and critically analyse any literature published on the various aspects of animal behavior covered in the course.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 60% of the final mark.
SELF Practical Assignment determines 40% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the SELF Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Additional info regarding evaluation
The evaluation is baseds on two parts:
1) A practical assignment involving a small behavioural study followed by an oral presentation or a paper submission (40 %). (See Course Contents for more details).
2) A written exam evaluating the student's knowledge and understanding of the course contents (60 %).
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity