Etology

Code:

BIOL3013

Acronym:

BIOL3013

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2016/2017 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	44	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

To introduce the study of behavioural sciences  with special emphasis on the relationships organisms-environment. To provide the essentials of Ethology (type of behaviour, development and causation, evolution, social organisation). To provide basic principles and methods on behavioural sciences.

Learning outcomes and competences

Knowldge of the theoretical essentials of ethology and basic methods for the study of behaviour.   

Working method

Presencial

Program

History of the study of animal behaviour. Development of behaviour: the role of genes and environment. Learning. Animal communication. Adaptative responses (predators, feeding behaviour, habitat selection, social life). Altruism and evolutive stable strategies. Mating systems and parental care. Conservation and behaviour. Essentials of human ethology.

Mandatory literature

Alcock, J.; Animal behavior. An evolutionary approach, Sinauer Associates Inc, 1998. ISBN: 0-87893-009-4
Breed, M.D. & Moore, J.; Animal behavior, Academic Press, Elsevier, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-12-372581-3
Carranza, J; Etologia. Introduccion a la ciência del comportamiento, Univ. Estremadura, 1994
Estremadura, 590 pp.; Evolutionary Explanations of Human behaviour, Routledge, 2001. ISBN: 0-415-24148-0
Eibl-eibesfeldt, I., ; Human Ethology, Aldine de Gruyter, 1989. ISBN: 0-202-02030-4
FONTOURA, A. P., ; Introdução ao estudo da etologia. Texto de apoio. I – Aulas teóricas, DZA, Policopiado, 2005
FONTOURA, A. P. & VALENTE, A. C. N; Introdução ao estudo da etologia. Texto de apoio. II – Aulas teórico-práticas. , DZA, Policopiado, 2005
Guyomarc'h, J.C., ; Ethologie, Masson, 1995
Lehner, P.N; Handbook on ethological methods. , Cambridge University Press, 1996. ISBN: 0-521-63750-3
Martin, P. & Bateson, P., ; Measuring behaviour. An introductory guide, Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN: 0-521-63750-3
McFarland, D., ; Animal behaviour, Prentice Hall, 1999. ISBN: 0-582-32732-6
Slater, P.J.B., ; Essentials of animal behavior, Cambridge University Press , 2001. ISBN: 0-521-62996-9
Wilson, E.O., ; Sociobiology. The New Synthesis, Harvard University Press , 2000. ISBN: 0-674-00235-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical presentations and practical laboratory work. Fulfilment, presentation and discussion of a group field project.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Zoology > Animal ethology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Trabalho de campo	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	0,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	42,00

Eligibility for exams

To be eligible for the final examination students are obliged to participate in the field project, its presentation and discussion, and must attend the lab classes (cannot miss more than 25% of the programmed practical lessons).

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade will be the result of the sum of the final examination (12 points) and the result of the assessmento of the report of the field group project, including presentation and discussion (8 points). The students with a final classification ≥ 9.5/20 will be approved.

It is not possible to repeat the evaluation of the field project. If the approved student wants to repeat the examination in order to obtain a better result during 2016-2017, the classification of the previous field project  will be used (weighted according the evaluation formula).

Examinations or Special Assignments

Fulfilment, presentastion and discussion of a report of the field project.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The fulfilment, presentation and discussion of the field project report is also mandatory for students with assiduity special status. The assessment of other special cases will be adjusted by the jury taking in mind their peculiar aspects.

Classification improvement

Examinations to obtain a better classification can be attempted according the general rules of the Faculty of Sciences. It is not possible to repeat the evaluation of the field project. If the approved student wants to repeat the examination in order to obtain a better result during 2016-2017, the classification of the previous field project  will be used (weighted according the evaluation formula).