Overview
The UNSW Animal Behaviour course provides one of the most fascinating and rewarding fields of biological study. In this course, the study of animal behaviour and the levels at which it can be studied are introduced, including areas often referred to as ‘ethology’ or ‘behavioural ecology’. The observation and description of behaviour along with the development, function and evolution of behaviour in an ecological context are examined as important elements in the analysis of behaviour, particularly social behaviour. Topics include sensory control systems, foraging behaviour, communication, home range, territorial behaviour, aggression and dominance, sexual behaviour, mate choice, mating systems, play and social organisation.
BIOS3011 focusses on the critical relevance of the study and understanding of animal behaviour for conservation and wildlife management through training in applied skills and science communication.
BIOS3012 focusses on providing training on the study and theory of animal behaviour through a combination of in-person live animal practicals and a student-led collaborative research project.
BIOS3012 and BIOS3011 are considered equivalent in difficulty and content coverage, with the key point of difference for BIOS3012 being a specialisation in hands-on research training. Students can complete either BIOS3012 or BIOS3011, not both.
BIOS3011 is taught online. BIOS3012 is taught in-person.
Term offering: Term 2
Course attendance: In person
Level: Undergraduate - Third year
Discipline: Biology
Course code: BIOS3011 BIOS3012
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
Please refer to the latest handbook for Conditions of Enrolment and Additional Enrolment Constraints.
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.
Relevant roles
- Animal Psychologist
- Behavioural Ecologist
- Field Ecologist
- Welfare Officer
- National Parks Ranger
- Conservation Biologist
- Wildlife Manager
- Zookeeper Research
- Technical Officer