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SL22038: Behavioural ecology

[Page last updated: 03 June 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWRI 20%, CWSI 20%, EXOB 60%
Assessment Detail:
  • Open-book written examination (EXOB 60%)
  • Set exercises Individual (CWSI 20%)
  • Report Individual (CWRI 20%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to:
* describe the genetic, neuro-hormonal, and developmental bases of behaviour;
* explain the evolution of communication, navigation, foraging, and reproductive behaviour;
* employ economic models to understand behaviour in appropriate contexts;
* describe and explain how aspects of behavioural ecology and of community structure can be investigated;
* explain how these behaviours and structures may have arisen and how they are maintained.


Synopsis: Behavioural ecology is the study of how behaviour evolves, develops, and contributes to survival and reproductive success. You will explore fundamental principles of animal behaviour: mechanisms, development, adaptive value and evolutionary history.

Content: Behavioural ecology is the study of how animal behaviour evolves, develops, and contributes to survival and reproductive success. This course explores fundamental principles of animal behaviour: mechanisms, development, adaptive value and evolutionary history. Students will learn about: Genetic, neural, developmental and physiological bases of behaviour Resource acquisition behaviour including territoriality, migration, and foraging Reproductive behaviour including sexual selection, mating systems, and parental care Social behaviour including competition, cooperation, and conflict Practical and paper interpretation skills will be developed, with coursework completed in class.

Course availability:

SL22038 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with professional placement (Year 2)

SL22038 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Physics) with professional placement (Year 2)
Department of Life Sciences

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.