BI3AB7-Selected Topics in Animal Behaviour

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: BI1AB1 Animal Behaviour
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Richard Sibly
Email: r.m.sibly@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Animal Behaviour is an evolving science. This course builds on the foundation of courses in parts 1 and 2 to investigate some of the most exciting recent findings in animal behaviour research, including some that have been the subject of TV documentaries. Using an evolutionary framework we examine topics such as how animals solve problems, how they choose mates, and how animals react to unfairness within their social group. Then over several weeks student-led seminars look at progress that has been made in selected areas of animal behaviour research. Please note this course is capped at 35 students.

Aims:

To research scientific reviews of selected areas of animal behaviour and to present and discuss them both orally and in writing.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the course it is expected that the student will be able to:

• describe and discuss critically the state of current research in selected areas, citing key references where necessary


• research and present structured critical reviews

Additional outcomes:

The module will also help students to develop written and oral presentational skills working in small groups to present a seminar.

Outline content:

To understand animal behaviour it is necessary to understand how life histories evolve. After a brief introduction describing current understanding of this process, the framework of evolutionary life-history theory is used in the first half of term to tackle topics such as Selfishness and Altruism; Mate Choice; The Evolution of Eusociality; Fighting between groups of conspecifics, Animal Cognition and The Evolution of Fairness. In the second half of term students work in small groups to research and present a seminar on a topic suggested by the module convenor; one seminar is presented each week. Recent topics have included: Problem solving by corvids; problem solving by reptiles; problem solving by social insects; social lives of chimpanzees and bonobos, and social lives of mongooses.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures introduce important research questions and set the scene, but students are challenged to seek answers to unresolved questions and to obtain perspective by reading scientific papers reporting important field studies. In the second half of the course, students research and present seminars covering a range of topical issues.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	15
Guided independent study:	75
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Oral assessment and presentation	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Two-hour examination

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assessment of seminar presentation, and performance asking questions of another seminar

Formative assessment methods:

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-sit examination in August

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 30 March 2023