Gwybodaeth Modiwlau
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Miscellaneous | 6 x 1 Hour Miscellaneous |
| Workshop | 1 x 3 Hour Workshop |
| Lecture | 22 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Practical | 1 x 4 Hour Practical |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Coursework 1. | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Coursework 2. | 20% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 40% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Explain adaptive animal behaviour based upon the neural mechanisms that underlie it.
2. Recognise key principles within behavioural mechanisms.
3. Critically evaluate research findings in neuroethology.
4. Discuss the tools and approaches that researchers use/have used to assess the neural basis of animal behaviour.
Brief description
Brains and Behaviour introduces a range of neural, and neuroendocrine, mechanisms that underpin animal behaviour. It draws examples from a broad range of animal taxa (both vertebrate and invertebrate) where mechanisms of behaviour are becoming well understood. Teaching focuses on an in depth analysis of example systems of particular interest.
Aims
To introduce students to the neural mechanisms that underlie animal behaviour, and the ways in which scientists can investigate these mechanisms.
Content
The first lecture block will consider the mechanisms behind a variety of simple animal behaviours, aiming to introduce students to the key principles underlying the production of behaviour.
The second lecture block will consider the neural mechanisms of learning and memory, aiming to demonstrate how neural mechanisms and behavioural responses can be affected by experience.
The third lecture block will also consider variability in the mechanisms of behaviour, but this time over daily or annual cycles. Its aim is to demonstrate how neural mechanisms can allow for daily and seasonal variations in animal behaviour.
Two practical sessions will allow students to conduct real or simulated neuroethological investigations, which may be written up in a variety of formats for assessment.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | It is expected that students will conduct statistical analyses of data collected in practicals. |
| Communication | Students will be produce reports on laboratory practicals which will require them to develop good skills in effective science communication. This will be assessed through laboratory practical reports. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Not a significant component of assessment in this module. However, students will be provided with feedback on assessed exercises and, by attending to that, it is hoped that they will improve their skills. |
| Information Technology | It is expected that students will word process reports, use spreadsheet programs to handle data and graph findings, and statistical programs to analyse data. The correct application of this technology will be assessed via practical reports. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Not a significant component of this module. |
| Problem solving | Not a significant component of assessment in this module, although students will be required to problem solve during lectures and practicals. |
| Research skills | Students will be required to engage with the peer-reviewed research literature and this will require effective use of scientific search engines, and critical reading and appraisal of scientific papers. Effective use of the peer-reviewed literature will be assessed via practical reports and examination. |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | Not a significant component of this module, although students may be required to work as a team during laboratory work. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6