2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PSYC1617 Exploring Animal Behaviour

10 creditsClass Size: 348

Module manager: Dr Colin Hendrie
Email: c.a.handrie@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

PSYC2022: Animal Behaviour

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module focuses on animal behaviour from Darwin to the present day. An overview of methods used to study animal behaviour is followed by detailed analysis of animal learning, instincts and learning, habitat selection, migration, antipredator defence, altruism, mate selection and aggression. Throughout, there is consideration of how and why specific behaviours may have evolved, and discussion of the nature/nurture debate.

Objectives

This module aims to provide an overview of key concepts in Animal Behaviour.

Students will be introduced to a range of information within this discipline.

Learning outcomes
Students will possess a sound understanding of contemporary theory and research in key areas of psychology, ethology and sociobiology.

On successful completion, students will be aware of diverse approaches to the study of animal behaviour, the different questions that may legitimately be asked about behaviour, the role of natural selection in the evolution of behaviour, and the complexities and futility of the nature-nurture debate.

Skills outcomes
Students will appreciate the significant differences between various approaches to the study of animal behaviour and, in particular, the importance of the question being asked.

They will also be able to critically evaluate theory and evidence in this intriguing field of enquiry.

Syllabus

Lecture 1 Introduction to animal behaviour & natural selection theory
Lecture 2 Animal learning I
Lecture 3 Animal learning II
Lecture 4 Instincts & learning
Lecture 5 The organisation of behaviour
Lecture 6 Habitat selection & finding food
Lecture 7 Migration
Lecture 8 Antipredator behaviour
Lecture 9 Altruism
Lecture 10 Mate selection
Lecture 11 Aggression

Audio visual recordings of relevant TV programmes/broadcasts are made available on the VLE to support this module.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			89.00
Total Contact hours			11.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Students will have approximately 89 hours of private study.

It is envisaged that this time will be spent:
- reading for each lecture (2 hours per lecture x 10 = 20 hours)
- independent reading and video study (30 hours)
- and exam preparation (39 hours)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

To help students assess their own progress on the module, a short MCQ (formative assessment only) will be run online in/around week 6.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course MCQ	.	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		0.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Psychology MCQ sheet required.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

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