Animal Behaviour
During the initial five weeks of teaching, you will obtain rigorous knowledge of the broad theory of animal behaviour. After this teaching component, the course concludes with a practical project, during which you will be divided into small groups to carry out a behavioural study on real animals (deer, birds, fish, and insects are possible study organisms). This provides the opportunity to apply the methods and concepts covered during the lectures in practice.
Please note that this is the same course as the previous course Ethology I.
If you have previously taken and passed the course Ethology I, you should not apply for this course, as the content is identical.
Teaching Format
The first part of the course consists primarily of lectures and readings. Note that you can borrow the text book from us free of charge. The second part of the course consists of a behavioural study that you plan, perform and then present in groups of 3 - 4 students. Before the behavioural studies begin, we will have preparation days, covering the research systems and questions, how to plan and conduct experiments, and how to analyse data.
The behavioural studies will be performed at Tovetorp (the Zoology Department's research station about 90 km SW of Stockholm). We will be at Tovetorp for a total of 5 days (see schedule). Teachers will be on site during the project. These projects provide students with invaluable experience of how behavioural research projects are carried out all the way from idea to scientific report.
Assessment
Two written examinations (completed before project preparations begin), a written project report and an oral project presentation.
Examiner
David Wheatcroft
E-mail: david.wheatcroft@zoologi.su.se
We will use the book Nordell & Valone, Animal Behavior (2nd edition). The book is currently out of print, but copies will be provided by the course coordinator.
