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James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2020

For subject information from 2025 and onwards, please visit the new JCU Course and Subject Handbook website.

BZ3061 - Behavioural Ecology

Credit points:03
Year:2020
Student Contribution Band:Band 2
Prerequisites:9CP of Level 2 Science
Administered by:College of Science and Engineering

Subject Description

    Understanding the evolution, maintenance and diversity of animal behaviours is one of the great joys of being a zoologist. This subject provides you with the skills to observe and interpret this variety of behaviours, with an emphasis on tropical ecosystems. Examples include areas such as natural selection, predator vs. prey dynamics, sexual selection and mate choice, mating systems, cooperation and sociality.

Learning Outcomes

  • explain and reference the intellectual foundation of the field of behavioural ecology
  • critically interpret the biological world within the framework of behavioural ecology
  • skilfully apply appropriate practical skills for behavioural ecologists

Subject Assessment

  • Invigilated > End of semester exam - (40%)
  • Survival skills - (10%)
  • ePortfolio (mid-sem) - (20%)
  • ePortfolio (end-sem) - (20%)
  • ePortfolio peer assessment - (10%)

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Assumed Knowledge:  Students enrolling in this subject should have a good background in level 2 science.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  BZ5061 ZL3061 ZL5061

Availabilities

Cairns, Study Period 2, Internal

Census date:Thursday, 27 Aug 2020
Study Period Dates:Monday, 27 Jul 2020 to Friday, 20 Nov 2020
Coordinator(s):
DR Tasmin Rymer
Lecturer(s):
DR Tasmin Rymer
Workload expectations:The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.
  • 26 Hours - Lectures
  • 13 Hours - Tutorials
  • 13 Hours - Fieldwork

Townsville, Study Period 2, Internal

Census date:Thursday, 27 Aug 2020
Study Period Dates:Monday, 27 Jul 2020 to Friday, 20 Nov 2020
Coordinator(s):
DR Ben Hirsch
Lecturer(s):
Professor Will Edwards
DR Ben Hirsch
MISS Kyana Pike
Workload expectations:The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.
  • 26 Hours - Lectures
  • 13 Hours - Tutorials
  • 13 Hours - Fieldwork