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Academic Teaching

BIOL 4303    Animal Behaviour

This course introduces students to the field of science that investigates the underlying mechanisms and functions of animal behaviour; the ways in which animals interact with each other, with their physical environment and other organisms; how animals find and defend resources, avoid predators, choose mates, reproduce, and care for their young; how complex animal societies are formed and how behaviour of an individual affects the structure of a population. 

The course is given in a series of 2-hour lectures and interactive classroom sessions, as follows: 

Class
Topics
1
  • Introduction and brief historic perspective

  • Basic survival strategies

2
  • Behaviour: Ultimate and proximate perspectives 

  • Evolution of behaviour 

3
  • Behavioural flexibility and adaptability 

4
  • The economics of optimal behaviour

Site visit: Location and topics vary between years

5
  • Individual, genes, and social behaviour

6
  • Ecology of group living

  • Socia-cognative behaviour

7
8
9
  • Sexual selection

  • Cooperation, reciprocity, empathy, and evolutionary game theory 

  • Student Talks: Insect societies

10
  • Socio-behavioural complexity - Part 1

11
  • Socio-behavioural complexity - Part 2

12
  • Students Talks: Topic of student's choice

13
  • The scale of complexity: Cultural transmission

14
  • Classroom Debates: Topics of student's choice

15
  • Comparative socio-ecology

16
  • Animal behaviour, behavioural ecology and biodiversity conservation

Animal Behaviour Field Course

Animal Behaviour Field Course

Marine Mammal Field Course

Marine Mammal Field Course

Marine Mammal Classroom Course

Marine Mammal Classroom Course

Animal Behaviour Classroom Course

Animal Behaviour Classroom Course

Students' Corner

Students' Corner

(To select courses, click on the animals below)

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