Animal Behaviour

Programme Structure:

Both programmes (single and combined honours) are modular in structure and are delivered at three levels over three academic years. Some modules are common to other degree pathways, whilst others are highly specialised and have been developed specifically for the animal behaviour programmes.

Single Honours:

Level 1

All students take six modules during Level 1. These modules provide a theoretical base in animal behaviour as well as involving ‘hands on' experience from the start. The modules engage with the following themes:

• Introduction to Animal Behaviour - Considers evolutionary and physiological approaches to animal behaviour
• Ecology and Habitat Studies - How to understand animals in their native environments.
• Essential Physiology - Brings students to a similar level of understanding of this area of Biology and discusses major animal groups (including humans) and their environmental requirements.
• Animal Handling and Care -Introduces appropriate techniques for handling animals safely and effectively.
• Data Handling - How to handle and display data.
• Genetics and Evolution - Examines the basis of inheritance for all living things.

Level 2

At this level all students take a core module in research methods to help prepare them for their Level 3 research project and to provide some valuable research skills. Students will also explore the following themes in their modules:

Adaptations to the Environment - How to understand the adaptations that natural and sexual selection have provided animals to enable them to cope with the demands of their living conditions.

• Field Ecology - The study of animals in their natural habitats using fieldwork.
• Behavioural Ecology - Theoretical approaches to the behaviour of animals grounded in evolutionary theory.
• Health and Disease of Animals.

Work-based Placement or Experiential Learning - All students will also have the opportunity to undertake either Work-Based Learning involving a placement with an employer, or Experiential Learning where they work on a project with a supervisor.

Level 3

At this level students will be given the opportunity to undertake a research project with tutorial support. There is also much choice at this level and students will be allowed to construct their programme from a whole suite of taught modules. These modules vary from year to year and reflect the research interests and specialisms of the staff. Typically they include modules exploring the following themes:

• Physiology and Behaviour.
• Animal Cognition
• Animal Behaviour and Conservation
• Evolution and Human Behaviour
• Ethics and Animal Welfare
• Conservation and Environmental Management
• Applied Learning Theory

Combined Honours:

Animal Behaviour may also be studied as part of the combined honours programme. As such, it may be combined with Biology or Psychology.

At Level 1, you take three modules within the discipline of animal behaviour. The themes of study explored are likely to include the following topics:

Introduction to animal behaviour - evolutionary and physiological approaches

Data Handling

Genetics and Evolution

At Level 2, you take either two or three taught modules in animal behaviour, and three or two modules of your other subject respectively. You also have the opportunity to undertake either Work-base Learning or an Experiential Learning module, bringing your total number of modules at this level to six. Within animal behaviour the following themes will be on offer:

Research Methods

Adaptations to the Environment

Ecology and Ecological Methods

Behavioural ecology

At Level 3, you may take two or four modules tackling themes and issues as listed above for the single honours degree. You may also carry out a dissertation in animal behaviour, but this is not a compulsory part of the combined honours degree.