BI1S67 - Principles of Animal Behaviour 01 Apr 2025 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 4

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BI1S67
Module Title: Principles of Animal Behaviour
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Biological and Forensic Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Biological Science
Module Leader: Pete Dunford
Module Team: Michele Gorman
First Intended Intake: SEP 2013 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100522 - animal behaviour
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 4
Valid From 01 Apr 2025
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To introduce the fundamentals of animal behaviour across a range of animals.

Outline normal and abnormal behaviours making reference to what these indicate.

Develop learner skills in methods of recording and presenting animal behavioural data.

Content Summary

Behaviour: Underlying physiological mechanisms of behaviour; Instinctive and learned behaviours from neonate to adult (imprinting mechanism, habituation, classical conditioning, instrumental learning, latent learning, and insight learning); Social Behaviour (sexual behaviour, parent/offspring behaviour); vacuum activities; redirected behaviour and stereotypic behaviour.

Behaviour Data Collection and presentation: Review methods available to record and present animal behaviour data.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 30
Seminar 10
Practical classes and workshops 8
Independent Study 122
Directed Study 30
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Evaluate the causes and development of the major patterns of behaviour and identify methods available for recording and presenting animal behaviour data.
LO2 Explore the causes and development of the major patterns of animal behaviour in the captive or domesticated environment with particular reference to mentality and welfare.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Portfolio Field Folio Observational studies and accompanying analysis of a chosen species’ behaviour 0 2600 65 No 40
Oral Assessment (CW) Presentation (CW) 1 Presentation on the impact of domestication and captivity on the behaviour of a given species. 10 N/A 35 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Field Folio
Presentation (CW) 1

Reading List

Alcock, J. (2009) Animal Behaviour: An Evolutionary Approach, Massachusetts: Sinauer Associates

Dawkins, M. (2007) Observing Animal Behaviour: Design and Analysis of Quantitative Data, Oxford: OUP

Alcock, J. (2009) Animal Behaviour: An Evolutionary Approach, Massachusetts: Sinauer Associates

Bekoff, M. (2008) The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy and Why They Matter

Pearce, J. M. (2008) Animal Learning and Cognition, 3rd Edition: An Introduction

Daston, L. & Mitman, G. (2006) Thinking with Animals: New Perspectives on Anthropomorphism

Mills, D. S. and Nankervis, K. J. Nankervis (1998) Equine Behaviour: Principles and Practice