SLE224 - Animal Behaviour
Unit details
| Year: | 2022 unit information |
|---|---|
| Important Update: | Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates. Last updated: 4 March 2022 |
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Peter Biro |
| Prerequisite: | SLE132 It is strongly recommended that students undertake SLE251 prior to undertaking this unit. |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 2 hour online class per week, 3 x 3 hour practicals per trimester. |
Content
The unit will be presented as a series of modules (2-5 classes each) which will examine explanations for the evolution of the diverse array of behavioural strategies we see in animals today. Topics include Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour; How does behaviour develop?; Control of behaviour : endocrine control mechanisms; Function of behaviour – foraging; Migration and navigation behaviour; Proximate control of mating behaviour; and Evolution of human behaviour. Topics will be covered by staff which show internationally recognised research outputs within these areas, making the coverage both relevant and up to date.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Have a clear understanding of Tinbergen's 4 whys and their applicability to behavioural testing. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Recognise the mechanisms which control behaviour. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Recognise that behaviour has a function and be able to demonstrate the concept of optimal behaviour. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Explain the evolution of animal communication systems. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Explain the basis for variation in animal mating systems. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO6 | Document examples of behaviours which are applicable to the areas of study within animal behaviour. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical reports | Three written reports | 45% | Weeks 6, 8 and 10 |
| Online test | 1-hour online test | 10% | Week 9 |
| Examination | 2-hour online examination | 45% | Examination period |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE224 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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