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.

Important information:

• To obtain ECTS for this course you need to enroll through Osiris.
• You can access the course through Brightspace 'SPOC: Introduction to Animal Behaviour'.
• The course is self-paced, but the two digital examination opportunities are fixed to the Resit A and Resit C periods.
• You will be automatically enrolled in the exam when you register for the course in Osiris.
• You will need to finish all course activities before taking the exam.

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.

• 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

• ? (100%) Online (remote proctored); The report and three peer reviews must be submitted before participating in the exam, unless an explicit exception has been given by the course coordinator. There are two exam possibilities a year (Resit A, Resit C1)
• ? (0%) Peer review - to pass the student needs to provide three constructive peer reviews; The peer reviews need to be submitted before participating in the exam. In case a student failed this activity due to submitting unconstructive peer reviews, a failed students can hand in revised versions in Brightspace during the next upcoming exam period of the course (Resit A or Resit C1). The student should notify the course coordinator if a revised peer reviews have been submitted
• ? (0%) Behavioural study report - to pass a student needs to reach a minimum score of 70% in Brightspace. The report needs to be submitted before participating in the exam. In case of a failed report, students can hand in a revised version in Brightspace during the next upcoming exam period of the course (Resit A or Resit C1). The student should notify the course coordinator if a revised report has been submitted.
• ? (%) The remote proctored written test is scheduled in resit period A and C1.

• All materials are made available online.