Behavioural Ecology

Learning Outcomes

• As a student in this course, I will develop the ability to:
  
• Understand the theoretical basis of animal behaviour from an evolutionary perspective and to use this knowledge to propose novel hypotheses to explain the evolution of animal behaviour (assessment task: final exam)
  
• Ability of find and evaluate relevant scientific literature through use of library databases and an ability to conceptualise a scientific hypothesis and develop it in depth (assessment task: grant proposal and independent research project)
  
• Write and submit a grant application, including a review of the literature on the proposed project, the objectives to be met, and the methods to be used (assessment task: grant proposal)
  
• Conduct a study of animal behaviour from the initial concept stage, through to the planning and development of a research project, the collection and analysis of data, and the presentation of the results of the study to a scientific audience (assessment task: oral presentation and poster presentation of independent research project)
  
  
  Transferable Skills Register
  As a student in this course, I will develop the following skills:
  
• The preparation of a grant proposal (Obtaining funding is a requirement in all fields of science, including behavioural ecology. In this course you will learn how to prepare a grant application in which you will request funding for a novel research project. This will involve developing skills in formulating clear objectives, preparing a concise review of the literature to support the proposal, and a detailed summary of the methods you plan to use to complete the proposed study)
  
• Designing and completing a novel research project in animal behaviour (Students will have the opportunity to conduct a novel research project. This will involve proposing a project, detailing the project in a proposal, carrying out the collection of the data, and then the analysis and presentation of the results of the project)
  
• Preparing and giving an oral presentation of the results of their research project (Effective communication is vital to the career of a scientist; every scientist needs to be able to communicate their findings to the rest of the scientific community and the general public, through oral and written skills. You will be required to present the results of your project to the class in the form of a short oral presentation).
  
• Preparing and presenting a poster that they could give at a scientific conference (The presentation of scientific results at a conference is one of the ways that scientists communicate their findings.  Usually both oral presentations and poster presentations are given at conferences.  The last assignment in the lab is for students to prepare a poster of their research project and present this at a formal poster presentation session to be held on campus and open to the public).

Prerequisites

Restrictions

For further information see School of Biological Sciences .