BIOS3011 | School of Biological Earth & Environmental Sciences

Overview

The UNSW Animal Behaviour (BIOS3011) course provides one of the most fascinating and rewarding fields of zoological study. The course introduces the study of animal behaviour, behavioural ecology, ethology, comparative psychology and the levels at which these can be studied.

In particular, you’ll focus on the adaptive evolution of animal behaviour and how ecological processes shape such behaviour. You'll discover new and amazing phenomena about the animal kingdom.

Term offering: Term 2

Course attendance: In person

Level: Undergraduate - Third year

Discipline: Biology

Course code: BIOS3011

Course breakdown

The course has the following aims:

to introduce the broad approaches used to study animal behaviour
to consider the proximate genetic, neurobiological, hormonal, physiological and environmental influences on behaviour
to introduce the concepts and tools necessary to build a sophisticated understanding of the evolution of behaviour
to explore the important insights that an adaptive perspective on human behaviour can provide
to emphasise the importance of primary research in student learning by devoting a considerable portion of the course to case studies presented by practising scientists
to provide an introduction to the use of formal mathematical models to understand adaptive behaviour
to explicitly teach skills in research design, execution, analysis and communication by providing intensive collaborative research projects
to strengthen student skills in all aspects of collaborative work in these projects.

Animal Behaviour has a strong focus on contemporary research, both in lecture content and in a practical program that is heavily research—and student-centred.

Major topics include:

neuroethology
evolution of behaviour, prehistoric and contemporary
animal cooperation
animal and human social behaviour
choosing a mate
animal communication
conflict and territoriality
finding a home and food
animal cognition and learning.

Conditions for enrolment

Students are expected to have a general understanding of animal ecology and evolution, and are strongly recommended to have taken the Evolutionary & Physiological Ecology (BIOS2011) course.

Career opportunities

The course is intended for Stage 3 students with an interest in evolution and animal ecology. It’ll provide you with hands-on experience in conducting “real” science, effective science communication and forms an excellent foundation for honours research.