BI2PAB-Practical Animal Behaviour

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Phil Baker
Email: p.j.baker@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the principles and methods of quantitative studies of animal behaviour, with an emphasis on techniques of observation, recording and analysis. Attention is given to how and why central hypotheses are formulated, how experiments are designed to distinguish between hypotheses, and how the results are analysed and interpreted.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the principles and methods of quantitative studies of animal behaviour, with an emphasis on techniques of observation, recording and analysis. Attention is given to how and why central hypotheses are formulated, how experiments are designed to distinguish between hypotheses, and how the results are analysed and interpreted.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the course, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge of a variety of techniques used for investigating animal behaviour in various contexts.


2. Design, carry out and analyse simple behavioural experiments.


3. Critically evaluate scientific papers reporting behaviour research.


4. Show an awareness of the ethical context within which animal behaviour studies operate, including knowledge of the basic philosophical premises relating to ethics and the ethics approval processes.
   
    

Additional outcomes:

Students gain experience using statistical software to analyse a hypothesis-driven project that they have conducted during the course of the practical sessions.

Outline content:

The module provides an introduction to the practical aspects of studying animal behaviour. The topics will cover behavioural tests in a variety of contexts, including studying animal behaviour in the laboratory, in other captive settings and in the wild. The ethical aspect of behavioural studies will be discussed. The students will learn various research techniques for studying behaviour, and will be introduced into behavioural research in a rigorous and hypothesis-driven study. They will design and conduct an investigation, and will analyse it and discuss it in the context of relevant literature. The module has a strong practical, field-based component requiring transdisciplinary collaborative work.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A series of lectures will provide the background to various techniques of studying animal behaviour. The practical sessions will give the students the opportunity to plan, conduct and analyse a behavioural study. A seminar will introduce the students to a critical analysis of relevant scientific literature.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Tutorials		2
Practicals classes and workshops		9
Guided independent study:		79
Total hours by term	0		0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Project output other than dissertation	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Length of exam: 1.5h

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The students will collect and analyse a set of data focusing on bird visitation patterns to feeding stations around the University's Whiteknights campus. Students will work in groups to collect, analyse and report these data. The final group report will be presented in the style of a scientific paper.

Formative assessment methods:

The seminars and practical sessions will provide the opportunity for formative feedback from staff. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall. 

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in August/September only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023