Researching Behavioural Ecology

Module Identifier
BR27320
Module Title
Researching Behavioural Ecology
Academic Year
2027/2028
Semester
Semester 2
Co-ordinator
Dr Peter Korsten
Reading List
View on Aspire
Other Staff
Dr Sarah Helyar
Dr Ruth Wonfor
Dr Ifat Shah

Assessment

Assessment Type

Assessment details

Proportion
Semester Assessment Report on Research Project: comprising a research plan and a poster. 2000 words across plan and poster, plus graphing and tabulation of data. 50%
Semester Exam Evolutionary Thinking Test: 2 Hours 50%
Supplementary Assessment Report on research project: comprising a research plan and a poster. 2000 words across plan and poster, plus graphing and tabulation of data. 50%
Supplementary Exam Evolutionary Thinking Test: 2 Hours 50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a retained knowledge of core principles in behavioural ecology.
  2. Synthesise existing knowledge in behavioural ecology to formulate research questions.
  3. Design and implement research approaches to address questions in behavioural ecology.
  4. Interpret and present research findings.

Brief description

Researching Behavioural Ecology considers the behaviour of organisms through the lens of evolutionary biology. It will focus on current research questions and the methods that can be used to address them.

Content

The module will use lectures to introduce key areas of behavioural ecology, and practical sessions in which students can investigate those questions in a variety of ways. These will include analyses of existing data provided to students, and collection of new data.

Module skills

Skills type

Skills details
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will apply evolutionary thinking to examples of behaviour that they observe personally in practical tasks.
Problem solving Evolutionary thinking tests will require students to apply principles they have learnt during the course in new contexts.
Research skills Students will be required to engage with the research literature, and interpret animal behavior in the light of evolutionary theory.
Subject Specific Skills Students will be required to further their knowledge of behavioural ecology through engagement with the literature; and to apply evolutionary reasoning in online tests.
Team work Not an assessed component of this module, but practical work may require students to collect data in teams.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5