Ethology

Code:

MA117

Acronym:

ETOL

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Behavior Sciences

Instance: 2023/2024 - 2T (of 13-11-2023 to 12-01-2024)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Behavioural Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Aquatic Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCMA	35	Official Study Plan	1	-	5	49	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Ethology is a general education discipline that aims to sensitize students to the importance of studying animal behavior in both its theoretical and applied aspects. Topics covered will serve as a foundation for subjects taught later on. The goal is to foster the learning of fundamental concepts essential for understanding the study of animal behavior.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the classes, students should be able to:

1) to analyze, from a historical perspective, the beginning of the systematized study of animal behavior;
(2) to present the main behavioral systems that are common to several species and essential to survival that also imply inter-individual cooperation;
(3) to analyze the biological bases of behavior from an ontogenetic perspective;
(4) understand the applications of the knowledge of this science to practical situations;
(5) to know the main behavioral characteristics of some aquatic animals;
(6) being able to observe, quantify, and analyze animal behavior;
(7) understand the importance of animal welfare and its application;
(8) implement the domain of ethical rules in the use of animals.

It is also intended to develop critical thinking, promoting discussions aimed at:
(a) integrate the acquired knowledge;
(b) promoting the capacity for reflection;
(c) promoting animal welfare and ethical conduct

Working method

Presencial

Program

THEORETICAL PROGRAM:

HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF ETHOLOGY:
1. What is Ethology?;
2. Origins of this discipline (The naturalists' works; innate behaviors; the ethological approach; the Comparative Psychology approach);
3. Differences between Ethology and Comparative Psychology.

CLASSIC ETHOLOGY. MAIN CRITICS. CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES:
1. Main classic concepts of Ethology;
2. Organization of instinctive behavior models;
3. Contemporary perspectives.

THE PHILOGENETIC EVOLUTION OF BEHAVIOR:
1. Homologies of the behavior in the philogenetic scale;
2. The ethological perspective in the study of human behavior.

THE STUDY OF BEHAVIORAL SYSTEMS:
1. Agonistic system;
2. Sexual system;
3. Vinculation system;
4. Territorial behavior;
5. Hierarchic behavior.

COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE:
1. Communication;
2. Culture.

THE ONTOGENY OF BEHAVIOR:
1. The controversy nature/nurture
2. Effects of different environmental conditions in development;
3. Development in sensorial deprivation conditions.

COGNITIVE ETOLOGY:
What is Cognitive Ethology: Animal consciousness; Cognition and intelligence; Intention; Game; Teaching

LEARNING:
1. Learning and adaptation;
2. Types of learning: habituation; classical conditioning; operant conditioning; insight learning; social learning.

APPLIED ETHOLOGY TO THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT

ETOLOGY AND ANIMAL WELFARE:
1. Stress
2. Animal welfare

ETOLOGY AND ETHICS:
1. Ethical concepts
2. Ethics applied to animals

PRACTICAL PROGRAM:

- Learn to observe, quantify, and analyze the behavior of various animal species.
- In-depth discussion on the behavior of different species.
- Prepare, present, and discuss orally the group projects developed throughout the semester.

Mandatory literature

Slater Peter J. B. ed.; Advances in the study of behavior. ISBN: 0-12-004524-9

Comments from the literature

PDF of scientific articles will be available to students 

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical Classes:
The program content will be presented according to the objectives of the discipline, using current scientific literature and employing audiovisual aids (PowerPoint, images, films, etc.) as a starting point for classroom discussions, aiming to foster critical thinking, promote curiosity, and develop an evidence-based understanding of animal behavior.

Practical Classes:
- These classes will consist of observing various aquatic animals, describing their behavior, creating ethograms, and analyzing and discussing the obtained data.
- Students will prepare, present, and orally discuss the group projects developed throughout the semester in groups.

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	30,00
Exame	60,00
Trabalho de campo	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	35,00
Estudo autónomo	35,00
Frequência das aulas	49,00
Trabalho de campo	16,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance in 75% of the taught practical classes.

. Passing the practical assessment, which means achieving a grade equal to or higher than 9.5 points (out of 20 points) in the evaluation conducted during the practical classes, including the preparation, presentation, and discussion of the group projects.

 

 

Calculation formula of final grade

Group work - 10% practical work + 30% theoretical work

Final exam - 60%