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BB20173: Behaviour & ecology

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 2
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 15%, EX 60%, PR 25%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take BB10012
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
To expose students to the fundamental principles of behavioural ecology. To examine the integration of behaviour, ecology and evolution.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking the course the student should be able to:
* Employ economic models to understand behaviour in appropriate contexts.
* Describe genetic pathways underlying behaviour.
* Explain how mating system and reproductive strategy influences behavioural evolution.
* Partition sources of variation between genes, environment and conspecifics using quantitative genetic models of indirect genetic effects.
* Quantify the fitness consequences of behaviour for individuals and populations.
* Explain the role of predator/prey interactions and population dynamics in the expression of behaviour.
* State what altruism and selfishness are and how to measure them in natural populations.

Skills:
Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F.

Content:
Behaviours are usually classified without consideration for the context in which they are expressed. But can we understand behaviours without considering the ecological conditions which stimulate their expression? This course will explore the relationship between behaviour and ecology. It will present the logic of behavioural decisions and the ecological and genetic contexts on which behavioural decisions depend. There are three general topics: behavioural genetics, behavioural ecology, and the interplay between individual behaviour and populations. Each topic will highlight the importance of manipulative studies to our understanding of the integration of behaviour and ecology.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

BB20173 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Biology & Biochemistry
  • USBB-AFB03 : BSc (hons) Biology (Full-time) - Year 2
  • USBB-AKB07 : BSc (hons) Biology with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2
  • TSBB-AFM08 : MSc Evolutionary and Population Biology (Full-time) - Year 1
Programmes in Natural Sciences
  • UXXX-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UXXX-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Industrial Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2
  • UXXX-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UXXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UXXX-AKM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2
  • UXXX-AAM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 2
Department of Psychology
  • UHPS-AKB03 : BSc (hons) Psychology (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.