Over deze cursus
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.
Leerresultaten
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
Toetsing
- Written test with closed questions (100%) Online (remote proctored)
- Assignment report (0%) Behavioural study report - to pass a student needs to reach a minimum score of 70% in Brightspace
- Performance (0%) Peer review - to pass the student needs to provide three constructive peer reviews
- General remark assessment strategy (%) The remote proctored written test is scheduled in resit period A and C1.
Bronnen
- All materials are made available online.
Aanvullende informatie
- Meer infoCursuspagina op de website van Wageningen University & Research
- Neem contact op met een coordinator
- Niveaubachelor
- Instructievormonline