BSc Biology

The unit aims is to provide students with a robust overview of the methods used to study behavioural ecology in the field. The unit will introduce students to foundational concepts in ecology, animal behaviour, conservation biology and evolutionary theory, with a focus on UK species and ecosystems. This unit will introduce students to core concepts regarding sampling animals in the wild, assessing biodiversity and species abundance, recording animal behaviours and critically testing hypotheses with experiments.

**There is no cost for this field course**

Upon successfully completing this unit, students should:

• understand how researchers design experiments and test hypotheses in behavioural ecology
• understand the major sampling techniques used to assess animal behaviours and abundance and understand when these methods are best applied
• be comfortable with collecting data and be able to correctly analyse behavioural data
• gain an appreciation for the importance of evolutionary processes in shaping animal behaviour

The unit will consist of:

• four-day trips to a range of ecosystems where students will use a variety of field sampling techniques to determine species distributions/abundances and assess animal behaviour.
• Students will then be divided into groups for a three-day field research project where they will design their own experiment, analyse their data and produce a research report.
• Lectures will precede all field trips to provide context for the field activities. Lecture material and additional resources will be provided on iPads for students to review on bus trips to field sites.

A detailed understanding of the methods used to study and test behavioural hypotheses in the field. Students will understand the challenges of performing field work on animals and the ways that researchers overcome these challenges. They will learn how evolution is key to understanding and studying behaviours in the field.

The ability to critically assess animal behaviours and evolutionary processes within the context of the field of behavioural ecology.

The ability to perform behavioural observations, sample animals in the field, and draw conclusions by statistically analysing data.

Using logic and critical thinking skills to develop and test evolutionary idea and statistical skills to analyse data.

A unit field book will be created that summarizes relevant information and provide detailed background information to students. Field guides for species identification will also be provided.