Course - Ethology - BI2044
Ethology
Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.
About
About the course
Course content
The focus of the course is on fundamental concepts in ethology/animal behaviour, with an emphasis on how theories on the evolution of behaviour can be put to a test empirically. The course builds on BI 1003 Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Ethology, but develops certain topics further and also addresses new ones.. A major part of the course is a student project, conducted in teams, where the current state of central and controversial issues is reviewed based on original scientific literature. The projects includes training in hypothesis testing in biology.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
The candidate should obtain knowledge in:
- Animal behaviour and the evolution of fixed and plastic behaviours
- Optimality theory and its application in foraging behaviour
- Life history evolution, parental investment, parent-offspring conflict and the evolution of begging behaviour
- Cooperative behaviour of animals, with particular emphasis on group living
- Basic behavioural data collection and experimental design, including welfare and ethical implications
- Problem-solving regarding optimal strategies through practical work
Skills
The candidate should be able to:
- Identify and understand adaptationist and game theoretical approaches to selected topics
- Formulate and design data collection and experiments to test scientific hypotheses
- Understand and interpret empirical data as a means to explain behavioural phenomena
- Present and discuss the evolution of optimal strategies, using examples from behavioural ecology
General competence
The candidate should be able to:
- Use knowledge about optimal foraging, social behaviour and life histories in assessments of biological questions
- Critically assess adaptive problems in behavioural ecology and the techniques used to generate hypotheses and tests
- Discuss approaches to answering scientific questions based on known examples in the scientific literature
Learning methods and activities
Lectures: 20 hours
Practical and Project: mandatory
Compulsory assignments
- Project work
Further on evaluation
In case of fail or retake a final examination is held in each semester. The written exam can be changed to an oral exam in the semester when the course is not taught.
The grade of the written exam can be appealed within three weeks after the grade is published (or you've received an explanation of the grade).
Recommended previous knowledge
Builds on BI 1003 Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Ethology.
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From |
|---|---|---|
| ZO2041 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2011 |
Subject areas
- Ethology
- Biodiversity
- Biology
- Zoology
- Ecology
Contact information
Course coordinator
Lecturers
Department with academic responsibility
Examination
Examination
Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025
School exam
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.