- UCAS course code
- C100
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Biology
Duration: 3 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: C100 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Field trips
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: AAA-AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB-ABC including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB-ABC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36-35 points overall with 6,6,6 to 6,6,5 at HL, including specific requirements
Course unit details:
Animal Behaviour
| Unit code | BIOL21432 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 2 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Animal Behaviour aims to provide a detailed overview of the study of animal behaviour from an evolutionary perspective. The unit will provide a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological and hormonal mechanisms underpinning animal behaviour and critically examine how evolutionary theory can help us understand why animals behave the way they do. You will be introduced to foundational concepts in neurobiology (e.g. learning, neuronal control of behaviour, sensory systems and communication), animal behaviour (e.g. foraging, predator prey interactions, sexual selection) and evolutionary theory (e.g. kin selection and cooperation, conflicts of interest, evolutionary strategies).
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genes, Evolution and Development | BIOL10521 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
| Fundamentals of Evolutionary Biology | BIOL21232 | Co-Requisite | Recommended |
Aims
The unit aims to provide a detailed overview of the study of animal behaviour from an evolutionary perspective. The unit will provide a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological and hormonal mechanisms underpinning animal behaviour and critically examine how evolutionary theory can help us understand why animals behave the way they do. The unit will introduce students to foundational concepts in neurobiology (e.g. learning, neuronal control of behaviour, sensory systems and communication), animal behaviour (e.g. foraging, predator prey interactions, animal navigation, sexual selection, play) and evolutionary theory (e.g. kin selection and cooperation, conflicts of interest, evolutionary strategies).
Teaching and learning methods
The majority of the teaching process will be lecture-based.
Knowledge and understanding
An in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms and evolutionary pressures that shape animal behaviour. Students will understand the link between the nervous system/hormones and behaviour, how selection acts on behaviours, and how selection can lead to behaviours ranging from competition to cooperation.
Intellectual skills
The ability to critically assess animal behaviour and evolutionary processes.
Practical skills
The ability to perform behavioural observations and draw conclusions by statistically analysing data.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Using logic and critical thinking skills to develop and test evolutionary idea and statistical skills to analyse data.
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Students will use statistics to analyse data for research assignments. Students will also learn how to interpret and analyse data presented in published studies.
- Group/team working
- Students will work together to collect data for research assignments.
- Innovation/creativity
- Presenting data requires creativity. Students will learn how to present their data succinctly in a visually appealing manner.
- Research
- Students will participate in research assignments that critically examine animal behaviour.
- Written communication
- Students will write research reports that summarize scientific literature and report the finding of their in class research assignments.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 60% |
| Set exercise | 40% |
Set exercise: MCQ test: 40%
Exam: essay: 60%
We will also set an optional formative assignment
Feedback methods
The formative assignment will have generic feedback and we run a drop in zoom session to discuss the answers.
Recommended reading
· Wyatt, T.D. 2017. Animal Behaviour: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
· Alcock J. 2013. Animal Behaviour. 10th ed. Sinauer.
· Manning A. and Dawkins M.S. 2012. An Introduction to Animal Behaviour. 6th ed. Cambridge University Press.
· Breed M.D. and Moore J. 2013. Animal Behaviour. Academic Press.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 22 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 78 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Ben Chapman | Unit coordinator |