BIOSCI 337 : Animal Behaviour
Science
2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course provides an introduction to major facets of the study of animal behaviour, with special attention to its evolution and ecological significance, as well as the proximate mechanisms that mediate behaviour. In addition to identifying major patterns and processes of animal behaviour, students learn to use observational and experimental techniques to study behaviour. There is a strong emphasis on the process of animal behaviour research - developing hypotheses, designing research studies, and interpreting data with a critical eye. Content includes classic animal behaviours topics such as sexual selection, predator/prey relationships, mimicry and deception, competition, parental care, and sex differences, as well as many others. Students will use observational and experimental techniques to study behaviour themselves, with an emphasis on doing science, instead of just memorising facts. The course is presented as a mix traditional lectures with other teaching styles including workshops, discussions, and games.
BIOSCI 337 is a required part of the Zoology pathway. This course is designed for students interested in animals and wishing to develop an understanding how and why animal behave as they do, and why that knowledge is useful, both as fundamental knowledge, and as applied to agriculture, conservation, management and tourism.
Careers that utilise concepts and methods learned in Animal Behaviour include research scientists, zoo keepers, council resource managers, veterinarians, DOC rangers, ecotourism operators, animal trainers, animal psychologists, animal farmers, animal breeders, biosecurity officers, conservation officers, animal welfare officers, research assistants, technicians, ecological consultants, or science writers. Students that are interested in further studies often continue with postgraduate research (e.g. PG Diploma in Science, Honours, MSc Science, MSc Biosecurity & Conservation, PhD Biology).
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Identify, describe and analyse general concepts of animal behaviour from evolutionary and ecological perspectives. (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
- Explain and critically evaluate hypotheses for proximate and ultimate explanations for animal behaviour (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
- Design and implement and present research projects on animal behaviour using observational and experimental techniques while considering context and ethics (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
- Analyse and evaluate animal behaviour data to determine whether predictions are supported (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
- Demonstrate an ability to communicate animal behaviour concepts and research to interested audience (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Final Exam | 30% | Individual Examination |
| Test | 20% | Individual Test |
| Project | 22% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Laboratories | 18% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Assignments | 10% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
| Test | ||||||||||
| Project | ||||||||||
| Laboratories | ||||||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
Tuākana
Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials,
one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html
For more information and to find contact details for BIOSI 337 Tuākana coordinator, please see - https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html
Key Topics
Special Requirements
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation per week.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/field trips to complete the practical components of the course.
Lectures will be taught on campus and available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs and field trips will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.