Offerings
View how ZL3026 is offered in 2004
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ZL3026:03

Animal Behaviour

Townsville

HECS Band 2

39 hours lectures, 3 hours tutorials, 18 hours laboratory, 12 hours field work. Semester 1.

Staff:

Dr R J Rowe.

General principles of animal behaviour in an evolutionary context. Includes: methods for interpreting behaviour studies, ontogenetic development of behaviour, foraging behaviour, mating systems, animal communication.

Topics include determinants of behaviour; evolution - the selective advantage of behaviours; ethology and comparative psychology; sociobiology; optimality; optimal foraging theory; closed and open programs; learning in nature and the laboratory; critical periods - imprinting; ontogenetic changes in behaviour patterns; navigation; intra-specific interactions; predation and predatory versatility; mating systems; courtship; communication.

Learning Objectives:

understand the intellectual foundation of behavioural studies;

understand methodological principles in behaviour studies;

obtain an understanding of the empirical basis for behaviour studies;

obtain a synoptic view of animal behaviour by examining selected case studies.

Assessment by examination (60%), and either one or two essays (40% total).