Introduction to Animal behaviour

To join the 100% online course you need to enroll through Osiris. You can access the course through Brightspace 'SPOC: Introduction to Animal Behaviour'

Introduction to Animal Behaviour - will introduce you to the fundamental topics involved in Animal Behaviour research. You will learn not only what animals do, but also how scientists figure out the 'whys' behind their behaviour. The course will make you familiar with a range of different topics, illustrated with examples from the scientific literature. By completing this course, you will gain a broad understanding of the fundamental topics of behaviour.

Module 1: The science of animal behaviour

An introduction to key concepts for studying animal behaviour, including evolution, natural selection, anthropomorphism, and the scientific method.

Module 2: Learning, cognition and development

How animals learn to adjust their behaviour to their environment, and how they use their mental abilities to solve practical problems.

Module 3: Communication

An introduction to the various means animals use to send signals to each other, and how these signals are influenced by the environment and social context.

Module 4: Finding food and avoiding predators

How animals find and exploit food resources, and how they avoid becoming food themselves.

Module 5: Mating systems and parental care

The complexities of creating the next generation, from finding and competing for a mate to rearing offspring.

Module 6: Living in groups

The costs and benefits of living with others, how complex social groups arise, and why some animals forego reproduction to help others breed.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• Understand how animal behaviour is a result of evolution and natural selection
• Understand the process of formulating and testing hypotheses about why animals do what they do
• Understand introductory concepts around animal cognition, communication, foraging, reproduction, and social behaviour
• Understand methods scientists use to study and answer questions about behaviour
• Understand how scientific research is reported