BI2S201 - Behavioural Ecology 31 Aug 2023 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 3
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | BI2S201 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Behavioural Ecology | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science | ||
| Faculty Group: | Applied Sciences | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Biological Sciences | ||
| Module Leader: | Rhian Newman | ||
| Module Team: | Emma Higgins, Tracie McKinney, Anthony Caravaggi, Niamh Breslin, Harri Little, Claire Tanner, Cerith Jones | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2027 | Final Year of Intake: | 2027 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 5 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100522 - animal behaviour | 100829 - behavioural biology | |
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 50 | 50 | |
Document Version Information
| Version | 3 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 31 Aug 2023 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2028 |
Module Aims
On successful completion of this module students will have developed their knowledge of the concepts of sociobiology, behavioural ecology, behavioural physiology and anthropology.
The module will give students a grounding in behaviourial ecology and utilise a theoretical framework to understand the interaction between behaviour, ecology and evolution.
Students will also be taught methods of studying behaviour and will demonstrate this through the design of their own behavioural experiment.
In engaging with the module appropriately, students will fully achieve the following level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the USW Graduate Attributes:
Communication: Behaviour 1, 2
Leadership: 1, 2, 3
Innovation and enterprise: Behaviour 2
Project management: Behaviour 1, 2, 3
Digital literacy: Behaviour 1, 2
The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.
Content Summary
Topics covering behavioural principles in this module include, but are not limited to:
Behaviour and its evolution
Sociobiology
Animal welfare
Behavioural ecology
Chronobiology
Methods of studying behaviour in both field and laboratory settings.
Teaching will be organised in to bi-weekly hour long lectures, followed by a two hour seminar the following week in which students will be expected to discuss and expand upon topics covered in the previous lecture and directed weekly reading.
The module will include 3x2 hour GIS workshops focussing on animal behaviours that can visualised on a map (species range, territories and migration). These workshops will further enhance student’s GIS skills through the use of more complex techniques.
The module will further include a field trip to allow students to develop their behavioural observation skills, before undertaking a behavioural study of their own design which they will write up as a scientific paper.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 39 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 11 |
| Independent Study | 130 |
| Groupwork | 20 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Understand the role of behavioural patterns at the individual and population levels, and how these patterns have evolved and developed. |
| LO2 | Have acquired a knowledge and understanding of experimental design, laboratory and field techniques applied to the study of animal behaviour |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Report 1 | Written practical report. | 0 | 2000 | 50 | No | 40 |
| Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) | Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 | Exam | 120 | N/A | 50 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Report 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |