澳门六合彩开奖记录
BI2AB2: Animal Behaviour
Module code: BI2AB2
Module provider: School of Biological Sciences
Credits: 20
Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)
When you'll be taught: Semester 2
Module convenor: Dr Phil Baker, email: p.j.baker@reading.ac.uk
Module co-convenor: Dr Chris Foster, email: c.w.foster@reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: Yes
Talis reading list: Yes
Last updated: 21 May 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
Ever wondered what science underlies commentaries to wildlife documentaries? Here you will learn聽the scientific methods used to study animal behaviour, the principle theories underlying its study, and how facts are established from systematic observations and experiments. Key topics are the effects of nature vs nurture, the theory of the selfish gene, why animals fight and why and when they help each other. Practicals illustrate research methods, and classic documentary films illustrate key points in lectures.
This module aims to provide a general introduction to the study of animal behaviour and shows how facts about behaviour are established. Attention is given to how and why central hypotheses are formulated, how experiments are designed to distinguish between hypotheses, and how the results are analysed and interpreted.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:聽
- Demonstrate knowledge of the various aspects of animal behaviour such as foraging, group living, and mating.聽
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the mechanistic basis of animal behaviour including genes, neural systems, and hormones.聽
- Design, carry out and analyse behavioural experiments.聽
- Understand the ethical context of animal behaviour studies, including knowledge of the basic philosophical premises relating to ethics.聽聽
Module content
This module provides an overview of the four ways in which we explain behaviour in a range of animals from all major taxa:聽聽
- development, including imprinting, vocal learning;聽聽
- mechanism, including sensory systems in different environments, hormones and pheromones;聽聽
- function, including group living, mating systems;聽聽
- evolution, including kin selection and inclusive fitness, sexual selection.聽聽
In order to understand behaviour, it is necessary to consider its role in increasing the chances that an individual will survive and reproduce. Such considerations are relevant to man and domesticated animals as well as to 'wild' species. In addition, students are introduced to methods of studying animal behaviour in the laboratory, in other captive settings and in the wild. Methods include the ethical aspects of behavioural studies. Students will also learn various research techniques for studying behaviour, and will be introduced into behavioural research in a rigorous and hypothesis-driven study. They will design and conduct an investigation, and will analyse it and discuss it in the context of relevant literature. The module includes a strong practical, field-based component requiring transdisciplinary collaborative work.聽聽
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, practical classes, self-directed learning and directed independent study. The lectures will provide background to various techniques of studying animal behaviour. The practical sessions will give students the opportunity to plan, conduct and analyse a behavioural study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard.聽聽
Study hours
At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
聽Scheduled teaching and learning activities | 聽Semester 1 | 聽Semester 2 | 听厂耻尘尘别谤 |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 20 | ||
Seminars | |||
Tutorials | 2 | ||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | 18 | ||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | |||
Work-based learning | |||
聽Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities | 聽Semester 1 | 聽Semester 2 | 听厂耻尘尘别谤 |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | 15 | ||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
聽Placement and study abroad | 聽Semester 1 | 聽Semester 2 | 听厂耻尘尘别谤 |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
聽Independent study hours | 聽Semester 1 | 聽Semester 2 | 听厂耻尘尘别谤 |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 145 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral assessment | Presentation | 30 | Semester 2, Teaching Week 8 | ||
Online written examination | Exam | 70 | Semester 2, Assessment Period |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral reassessment | Presentation | 30 | During the University resit period | ||
Online written examination | Exam | 70 | During the University resit period |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Required textbooks | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.