Animal Behaviour Field Course

Cod y Modiwl: BR34920
Teitl y Modiwl: Animal Behaviour Field Course
Blwyddyn Academaidd: 2027/2028
Semester: Semester 1
Cyd-gysylltydd y Modiwl: Dr Sebastian Mcbride
Rhestr Ddarllen: Gweld ar Aspire
Rhagofynion: BR21620
Staff Eraill sy'n Cyfrannu: Dr Marco Arkesteijn; Dr Ruth Wonfor; Dr Ifat Shah; Dr Peter Korsten

Dulliau Asesu

Math o Asesiad	Manylion Asesiad	Cyfran
Asesiad Semester	Presentation: 10 Minutes	30%
Asesiad Semester	Individual report: on investigative project carried out during the latter half of the field course. Submission of report is accompanied by a field notebook which documents all experimental activity over the 6-7 days of the field course. 2500 Words	70%
Asesiad Ailsefyll	Individual report: on investigative project carried out during the latter half of the field course. Submission of report is accompanied by a field notebook which documents all experimental activity over the 6-7 days of the field course. 2500 Words	70%
Asesiad Ailsefyll	Presentation: 10 Minutes	30%

Canlyniadau Dysgu

Wedi cwblhau'r modiwl dylai'r myfyrwyr fedru:

Formulate and test hypotheses in the field by designing appropriate observation regimes & experiments relating to animal behaviour.
Develop classification systems relevant to the collection and storage of behavioural data.
Choose & apply appropriate analytical techniques to interpret field data.
Suggest avenues for future research based on the findings of their investigations and in the light of relevant published theories and studies.
Work as a team to reach goals.
Communicate their research findings effectively and concisely by means of presentations to the class and written reports.

Disgrifiad cryno

This module will train and assess students in the collection, analysis and presentation of field data to discern what animals do, why they do it and how that behaviour has evolved.

Cynnwys

This is a residential course. The field course is preceded by an introductory session in Aberystwyth outlining the format of the course, the daily schedule, methods of assessment and identifying essential pre-course reading. The course is divided into a number of projects, each preceded by an introduction to the assignment. Students are also required to devise and carry out their own independent project.

The field course will make use of a variety of habitats where students will learn how to handle mammals, birds & insects in the context of behavioural research. Students will work in small groups in tackling assigned projects. Each project will be assessed by one or more of a variety of methods (e.g. written report, poster, video presentation, oral presentation), to be completed during and after the fieldcourse. Students are expected to discuss the data collected in the light of theories raised and knowledge acquired in Module BR 21620 (Animal Behaviour).

The focus will be on answering Tinbergen's four questions of behaviour (function, causation, development and evolutionary history) by means of a variety of field observations and experiments. Training will be given in diverse data collection, surveying and sampling techniques. Specific behaviour topics will vary according to factors such as annual fluctuations in species abundance and weather conditions but will typically include foraging, predator-prey interactions, mate choice/guarding, decision making, territoriality, communication, as well as measurement & classification of morphological adaptations associated with particular behaviours.

Sgiliau Modiwl

Math o Sgiliau	Manylion Sgiliau
Cyfathrebu	Written reports, oral, poster, video & other presentations prepared, both in teams & individually, and assessed during and after field course.
Datblygu personol a chynllunio gyrfa	Reflective learning & group discussions after each project. Skills learned will have value for subsequent careers in conservation, animal behaviour and related fields. Generic skills (data analysis, report preparation, oral & poster presentations) applicable to a wide range of careers.
Datrys Problemau	Students will identify research questions, design & implement observational & experimental field studies aimed at finding answers to their research questions.
Gwaith Tim	Projects undertaken in small groups. Goals of group determined as a team, allocation of tasks within groups. Data collection, analysis and presentation of results completed as a team.
Gwella dysgu a pherfformiad ei hun	Attendance at lectures, observing demonstrations & participation in practical sessions (problem-based learning). Reflective learning through small group discussions and feedback on assessments.
Rhifedd	Data collection, statistical analysis (parametric & non-parametric), hypothesis testing.
Sgiliau pwnc penodol	Field surveying, animal handling, sound recording/playback, behavioural observation & experimentation in the field.
Sgiliau ymchwil	Design & implementation of observational & experimental field studies including data collection, animal handling, trapping, surveying techniques, statistical analysis, report writing and a variety of presentation styles throughout field course. Critical assessment of scientific literature to underpin reports.
Technoleg Gwybodaeth	Use of statistical programmes (e.g. SPSS) in data analysis; use of Powerpoint for presentations; Use of video-editing software for presentations. Use of spreadsheets, graphing (e.g. Excel) and word processing software for data organisation, analysis & presentation. Use of internet for gathering of data (for analysis) and information to help develop initial ideas and to put results in appropriate context prior to presentation/assessment.

Nodau

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn cydymffurfio a FfCChC Lefel 6