Etology

Code:

BIOL3013

Acronym:

BIOL3013

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2019/2020 - 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	39	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

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 determinism, 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

What is ethology? Why and what to study? Types of behaviour. Development and causation of behaviour. Evolution of behaviour. Sociobiology. Behaviour and nature conservancy. 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 project work.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Zoology > Animal ethology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Exame	70,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	8,00
Estudo autónomo	106,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

To be eligible for the final examination students are obliged to participate in the work 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 (14 points) and the result of the assessmento of the report of the work project (4 points), including presentation and discussion (2 points). The students with a final classification ≥ 9.5/20 will be approved.

It is not possible to repeat the evaluation of the work project. If the approved student wants to repeat the examination in order to obtain a better result , the obtained classification of the work project  will be used.

Examinations or Special Assignments

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

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The fulfilment, presentation and discussion of the work 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 work project. If the approved student wants to repeat the examination in order to obtain a better result during, the classification of the previous work project  will be used.

Observations

The registration for this course is limited to 40 students.

The jury of this course is constituted by professors Olga Laje and Paulo Fontoura

Due to the impossibility of making the presentation and discussion of the report of the work project with all the students on account of the Covid-19 pandemic, the evaluation of this issue(2 points) will be based on a written report to be submitted by the students.