Evolution & Behaviour

Course manual 2017/2018

Course content

This course is a general introduction into behavioural biology from an evolutionary perspective. The objectives of the course are:

• To acquire general knowledge of behavioural ecology
• To acquire specific knowledge of evolutionary behavioural ecology
• To acquire practical skills in constructing an ethogram and in making behavioural observations
• To acquire practical skills in setting up and executing behavioural experiments, in particular concerning behaviour of humans and other animals
• To acquire practical skills in analysing models of spatially structured populations
• To acquire practical skills in writing an essay in English
• To improve analytical thinking by means of an essay-assignment
• To improve research attitude by means of two practical assignments

Recommended prior knowledge is Evolutiebiologie Theorie (12 EC).

Study materials

Literature

• Evolutionary Behavioral Ecology. Edited by David F. Westneat & Charles W. Fox. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-533192-9 (pbk)

Other

• Handouts, papers and background literature on several assignments will be available on Blackboard

Objectives

After finishing this course, the student is able to:

1. Describe and explain the basic topics in the field of animal behaviour and behavioural ecology (e.g. foraging, social and reproductive behaviour) and extensions of behavioural ecology, including animal personalities and evolutionary psychology.
2. Create an ethogram and characterize interobserver bias.
3. Identify and detect common mistakes in the study of behaviour.
4. Discriminate between different tests used in preference studies; to design and conduct a preference test, analyse and interpret the results.
5. Use matrix modelling to study the evolution of traits.
6. Relate the different levels at which behaviour can be studied to an animal’s reproductive success (evolutionary context).

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Fieldwork/excursion
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Supervision/feedback meeting

Learning activities

Academic skills

In this course the following skills are dealt with. These skills will not be tested directly, however competence will reflect in de assessment of several interim assignments:

• academic attitude
• empirical cycle
• scientific writing

Attendance

Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):

• Participation in all practical (computer) sessions, field work and seminars in the curriculum is obligatory.
  

Additional requirements for this course:

Absence during practicals (werkcolleges) or excursions needs to be communicated to the course coordinator.

Assessment

The minimum grade averaged across all four assignments (excluding the exam) should be 5.0. (note: marks for individual assignments lower than 5.0 is allowed, as long as the average mark across all assignments is equal or higher than 5.0).

The minimum mark for the exam (tentamen) is 5.0. A resit is possible.

Inspection of assessed work

The manner of inspection will be communicated via the digitial learning environment.

(partial) grades will be updated on Blackboard as soon as the marks are available. Feedback on the different assignments will be sent separately to the students by email.

Assignments

Ethogram

• Create an ethogram in groups of 2. Graded and feedback is given on score form.

Essay

• Write an essay in which you discuss papers where you identify and detect common mistakes in the study of behaviour. Individual assignment. Graded and feedback is given on score form.

Preference practical

• Discriminate between different tests used in preference studies; to design and conduct a preference test, analyse and interpret the results. In groups of 2. Graded and feedback is given on score form.

Computer practical

• Use matrix modelling tools to study the evolution of (behavioural) traits in groups of 2. Graded and feedback is given on score form.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.uva.nl/plagiarism

Course structure

Timetable

Het rooster van dit vak is in te zien op DataNose.

Additional information

The assignments in this course will be in English. When foreign students participate in the course, also the lectures will be given in English.

This course uses a Blackboard-site. Here, you’ll find all the necessary additional information, such as information on the assignments, additional literature. Therefore, check out the site regularly! 

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. I.M. Smallegange