Etology

Code:

BIOL3013

Acronym:

BIOL3013

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2022/2023 - 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	38	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Guide students in their first steps in the study of animal behaviour. Know the basic biological principles underlying animal behaviour. Provide methodological bases for the practical and theoretical study of behaviour.

Learning outcomes and competences

Know the basic principles of ethology and the basic techniques for the study of animal behaviour.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Introduction to the study of animal behaviour.

Historical perspective of the study of animal behaviour.

Methods of observation, description and quantitative recording of behaviour.

Types of questions and levels of analysis.

The genetic, neuronal, physiological and behavioural development bases.

Animal Cognition.

Social behaviour, cooperation and altruism.

Animal communication.

Sexual selection, reproductive systems and parental care.

Mandatory literature

Juan Carranza; Etología. ISBN: 978-84-7723-173-8
Jean Charles Guyomarc.h; Éthologie. ISBN: 2-225-84661-8
Philip N. Lehner; Handbook of ethological methods. ISBN: 0-521-63750-3
Paul R. Martin; Measuring behaviour. ISBN: 0521446147
David McFarland; Animal behaviour. ISBN: 978-0-582-32732-0
Fontoura, A.P.; Introdução ao estudo da etologia. Texto de apoio. I – Aulas teóricas, DZA-FCUP, Policopiado, 2005
Fontoura, A.P. & Valente, A.; Introdução ao estudo da etologia. Texto de apoio. II – Aulas teórico-práticas, DZA-FCUP, Policopiado, 2005

Teaching methods and learning activities

Expository theoretical classes, with discussion. Practical classes dealing with the themes covered in the theoretical component. Realization, in group, of a research project in animal behaviour, and its written and oral presentation.

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	30,00
Estudo autónomo	84,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Presence in 3/4 of practical classes, and delivery of a report on the project (in electronic format, via Moodle) and its presentation and discussion in a face-to-face session.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification will be the result of the sum of the classifications obtained in the final exam (70% = 14 values), in the project report (written work; 20% = 4 values) and in its presentation and discussion (10% = 2 values).

 Students who obtain a final classification equal to or greater than 9.5 values are approved (corresponding to a scale of 0 to 20 values, in accordance with regulations). In none of the evaluation components the classification can be lower than 40%.

 In cases of non-approval or improvement of classification, the student will have to do an exam with a theoretical and a practical component.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Preparation, presentation and discussion of a project report.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The realization, presentation and discussion of the report on the project is also mandatory for students with special attendance status. The evaluation to be carried out in other cases (special cases) will be defined based on the particularities of each case.

Classification improvement

Classification improvement is subject to current regulations. The exam to improve the classification will consist of a theoretical and a practical components, quoted, together, at 20 values.

Observations

The enrolment in this course is subject to numerus clausus (40 students).

 Due to the impossibility of presenting and discussing the reports related to the project in a face-to-face session, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the session will take place online, on a platform to be defined in each situation.