Animal Social and Sexual Behaviour
This course focuses on how and why animals form and interact in social groups and how animals choose and compete for mate, using examples ranging from insects to humans. The course explains why social and sexual behaviours shape the course of animal evolution, influence speciation events, and have practical considerations for animal welfare and conservation.
Some of the most amazing behaviours we see in the animal kingdom centre around social and sexual behaviours. Social behaviours occur whenever animals interact with members of their own species, leading to aggressive or cooperative behaviours in animals, collective movement of animal groups, and amazing examples of complex social organisations. Sexual behaviours are similarly complex, with animals traveling across the world's oceans and continent to find a mate and using exaggerated visual, vocal and chemical signals to get the attention of a potential mate or fight off rivals. This course highlights these amazing behaviours to provide a mechanistic and evolutionary understanding of how and why animals perform social and sexual behaviours.
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Course structure
Teaching format
The course will consist of lectures covering core concepts in mate choice, reading assignments of scientific literature, weekly discussions, and give students insights into how researchers apply the scientific method to study social and sexual behaviours.
Assessment
Students will be assessed using examinations, oral presentations, written reports and class participation.
Examiner
John Fitzpatrick
E-mail: john.fitzpatrick@zoologi.su.se -
Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course reports
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Contact
Student office- Visiting address
Arrheniuslaboratory, room E315
Svante Arrhenius väg 20C
- Office hours
Mon-Thur: 13.00-15.00
- Irregular office hours
Closed Thursday November 21!
Study counsellor for advanced level
- Visiting address
Arrheniuslaboratoriet, room E315
Svante Arrhenius väg 20 C
- Office hours
By request
