course-details-portlet

BI3040

Behavioural Ecology

Choose study year

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Oral examination

About

About the course

Course content

The course covers central features in evolutionary behavioural ecology. Particular emphasis will be put on the evolution of animal behaviour in an ecological context, as well as the behavioural and evolutionary mechanisms involved. In this context, subjects discussed include optimality and evolutionarily stable strategies, cooperative social interactions in the context of evolutionary conflicts interest, social behaviour and life-history evolution. The course requires detailed preparation through a reading of the scientific literature followed by active participation from all students in each of the ten class seminar discussions.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate should be able to demonstrate knowledge concerning:

  • The importance of personalities and plasticity in the evolution of behaviour;
  • The application of optimality and game theory to explain animal behaviour;
  • How state-dependent decision-making affects optimal behaviour in animals;
  • The evolution of animal behaviour in a social context and how we study it;
  • The current research frontiers in the evolution of cooperation and conflict;
  • Central issues and controversies in current research on kin selection.

Skills

The candidate should be able to demonstrate skills in:

  • Evaluating and discussing the primary scientific literature;
  • Critically evaluating scientific theory and methodologies;
  • Verbally discussing current issues at the forefront of biological research.

General competence

The candidate should demonstrate general competence in:

  • Working individually and in a group to resolve advanced scientific questions;
  • The ability to effectively communicate complex scientific arguments, theories and evidence;
  • Using specific knowledge to construct a broader framework of scientific understanding.

Learning methods and activities

Seminar: 30 hours Intensively taught over 5-6 weeks

Compulsory assignments

  • Compulsory attendance in seminars

Further on evaluation

In case of fail or retake/improvement a final examination is held during the exam period each semester.

Exam Language: English

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
ZO3031 7.5 sp Autumn 2011
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Ethology
  • Biology
  • Zoology
  • Ecology

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Biology

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Oral examination
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Oral examination
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code D

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Oral examination
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code D