| NBID25 | Theory of Applied Ethology, 6 ECTS credits. /Theory of Applied Ethology/ |
|||
Prel. scheduled
hours: 52 |
||||
|
Area of Education: Science Subject area: Biology |
||||
| Advancement level
(G1, G2, A): A
|
||||
| Aim: Behaviour is the primary means by which an animal interacts with and adapts to its physical and social environment. The behaviour is shaped by both evolutionary and ontogenetic processes and therefore has a close connection to genetics and physiology. Understanding the biology of behaviour is therefore an important basis for deeper insights into the adaptive capacities and the needs of animals. Consequently, it is also an important tool to for understanding animal welfare in captivity, and the biological basis for animal conservation. The student will be able to describe the mechanisms, function, phylogeny and ontogeny of behaviour systems, with a focus on the behaviour of domesticated animals and other animals in captivity. The student will develop a proficiency in finding, evaluating and compiling primary and secondary research literature on relevant topics. The student will improve her/his skills in both written and oral communication of results of relevant scientific data through literature searches in both written and oral form. Furthermore, the student will develop a critical assessment ability, allowing proper scientific judgement of scientific data on animal behaviour. The student will also develop a societal and ethical perspective on the use of ethology in assessment of animal welfare. |
||||
| Prerequisites: (valid for students admitted to programmes within which the course is offered) Understanding of basic principles of animal behaviour, obtained for example through a course in basic ethology comprising 15 ECTS. A possible starting point would be John Alcock: Animal Behavior (8th ed.) Sinauer, Sunderland, 2005. Furthermore, the student should possess fundamental knowledge of animal physiology and genetics, and of principles of evolution. Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshhold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding. |
||||
| Organisation: The course is composed of formal lectures and literature studies, and study visits. The lectures are intended to give an overview and structure to the different topics outlined below. The literature studies of the text book are intended to add depth and detail to the topics. Study visits are intended to provide familiarity with common ways of keeping animals in captivity. The course is given in parallel with the courses on Methods of Applied Ethology (NBID28) and Current Concepts NBID26). Extra costs due to travelling and living must be paid by the student. |
||||
| Course contents: The course covers the following topics: - History and context of applied ethology - Behaviour genetics and animal domestication - Behaviour endocrinology, stress, and behaviour disorders - Motivation and animal welfare - Behaviour and conservation |
||||
| Course literature: Compulsory course textbooks: Bolhuis & Giraldeau: The behaviour of animals |
||||
| Examination: | ||||
| Written examination (Home examination) Participation in study visits |
2,5 p 1,5 p |
/ / |
4 ECTS 2 ECTS |
|
| UPG 1 Home examination (5 ECTS) UPG 2 Participation in study visits (2.5 ECTS) | ||||
Course language is English. Department offering the course: IFM. Director of Studies: Agneta Johansson Examiner: Per Jensen (perje@ifm.liu.se) Course Syllabus in Swedish |
||||
|
|
 |
|||||
| ||||||