Ethology
Course content
Levels of explanation in ethology
Tinbergen's four questions, behavioural mechanisms
Development of behaviour
maturation, nature/nurture, FAP/MAP, instincts, effect of early
experience, perinatal stress
Stimuli and communication
perception, sensory exploitation, peripheral and central
stimulusfiltration, pattern recognition, deception
Motivation and decision-making
behavioural needs, homestasis model, psychohydraulic model, wanting
vs liking, optimality models
Learning and memory
operant and classical conditioning, conditioned emotional response,
SSDR, generalisation, discrimination, declarative and procedural
memory, implicit and explicit memory, levels of intentionality
Adaptiveness of behaviour
Evolutionary Stable Strategies, kin selection, selfish gene, levels
of selection, reciprocal altruism, infanticide
Social organization
formal dominance, leadership, mating systems
Companion animals
dog vs wolf, dog aggression, training methods, effect of
punishment, the human-animal relationship, behavioural
problems
MSc Programme in Animal Science - restircted elective
BA Husdyrvidenskab - valgfri
The aim of the course is to give a theoretical introduction to
the main areas of animal behaviour. The behaviour of production,
companion, laboratory and wild animals will be exemplified. The
purpose of this is to make the students capable of understanding
the function and mechanisms of behaviour, and apply this knowledge
in both an applied and a basic setting.
When the course is finished the student is expected to:
Knowledge:
- Describe the behaviour of animals from a functional perspective
- Describe the causal mechanisms of behaviour
- Understand the theoretical basis for the basic needs of animals
Skills:
- Discriminate normal and abnormal behaviour
- Identify relevant motivational systems for a given behaviour
- Use scientific principles to explain and evaluate different
problems in animal behaviour
Competencies:
- Work independently and effectively in a group on a joint project
- Search for scientific literature on specific topics related
to animal behaviour
- Assess contribution and quality of work of peers
The first half of the course consists of lectures on the
foundations of ethology, as well as the behaviour of companion
animals. This part is followed by a written exam. The second part
of the course consists of problem based learning where the students
work in groups to tackle different problems in ethology, applying
the knowledge gained in the first half of the course.
Evaluation model: Survey-based model
An introduction to Animal Behaviour (2012) by Aubrey Manning and
Marian Dawkins, 6th edition
Further material will be assigned at the beginning of the
course
Knowledge corresponding to two years of animal science or biology studies.
Open for credit transfer students and other external students. Apply here:
Credit transfer students:
Credit transfer student at SUND – University of Copenhagen
(ku.dk)
Other external students:
https://healthsciences.ku.dk/education/student-mobility/guest-students/
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
On-site written exam, 4 hours under invigilationWritten assignment under invigilation
- Type of assessment details
- Written exam at CPH-examvenue mid-course contributes 60% to the
overall mark.
The project work 40% to the overall mark. - Aid
- All aids allowed
Notes uploaded to Digital Notes via Digital Exam (you'll find a link for upload in Digital Exam).
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Internal sensorship. Several internal examiners
- Exam period
-
Midway in course (written exam half-way in the course)
- Re-exam
-
Type of assessment: Oral examination.
Type of assessment details: 30 minutes examination.
Preparation: None.
Invigilation: Yes.
Aid: None.
Criteria for exam assessment
To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able
to:
Knowledge:
- Describe the behaviour of animals from a functional perspective
- Describe the causal mechanisms of behaviour
- Understand the theoretical basis for the basic needs of
animals
Skills:
- Discriminate normal and abnormal behaviour
- Identify relevant motivational systems for a given behaviour
- Use scientific principles to explain and evaluate different
problems in animal behaviour
Competencies:
- Work independently and effectively in a group on a joint project
- Search for scientific literature on specific topics related to
animal behaviour
- Assess contribution and quality of work of
peers
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 48
- Preparation
- 68
- Project work
- 86
- Exam
- 4
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- SASK17003U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
-
1 block
- Placement
- Block 1
- Schedulegroup
-
A
- Capacity
- 60 students
- Studyboard
- The Study Board for Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Björn Forkman
(3-727a765083857e743e7b853e747b)
chief responsibility
Teacher
Irena Czycholl
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