Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Animal Behaviour
Code LIFE211
Coordinator Dr Z Lewis
Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour
Z.Lewis@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 5 FHEQ First Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
None 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 26

   2

     2

 30
Timetable (if known) Lectures will develop knowledge and understanding
  		  Tutorial sessions will provide opportunities for students to raise specific or more general issues to cover any areas of ambiguity, and to receive feed-forward and feedback on their essay assignment.
  		    Written examination
  		 
Private Study 120
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Written Exam  2 hrs  Semester 1  50  Yes    Assessment 1 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  On-line tests (not t  Semester 1  35  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 
Coursework  1000 words  Semester 1  15  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 3 Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 211 will be extended written exercises. Note examination is actually 1.5 hours. Assessment 211.1 will be objective assessment e.g. multiple choice or extended matching item questions. Assessment 211.2 will be extended written exercises. 

Aims

  • This module aims to:

     
    Provide an introduction to the fundamental evolutionary principles that explain a wide range of animal behaviours

  • Explain sexual selection and animal mating behaviours

  • Describe the evolution of co-operative societies, as well as conflict and conflict resolution

  • Develop in students the knowledge and understanding of the subject and the ability to apply, evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve problems in zoology

    		•

    Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this module, the students should be able to:
     
    Apply fundamental evolutionary principles to explain a wide range of animal behaviours

    Analyse and interpret examples of behavioural data

    Apply the principles of behavioural ecology to understand human behaviour

    Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of behavioural ecology, and how this knowledge has been applied to solve problems

    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lecture -

    Lectures will develop knowledge and understanding

    Tutorial -

    Tutorial sessions will provide opportunities for students to raise specific or more general issues to cover any areas of ambiguity, and to receive feed-forward and feedback on their essay assignment.

    Assessment -

    Written examination

    Syllabus
    1 

    Origins: genes; environment; learning; receiving signals in a variable world. Evidence of behaviour as subject to natural selection. Natural selection at the individual level and the optimization of behaviour through fixed & plastic strategies. Methods of studying the design of behaviour: observation & measurement, psychological/other experimental manipulation, comparative method, experimental evolution.

     
    Sex: animal mating systems in terms of pair bond/parental care: monogamous/polygynous/polyandrous; human mating systems; pre-copulatory sexual selection; post-copulatory sexual selection; life histories and levels of parental care. Evolution of Menopause.
     
    Cooperation: The evolution of co-operation and sociality. An introduction to reciprocal altruism, kin selection, evolution of co-operative societies. To cover both animals and humans.
     
    Conflict: Honesty, conflict and conflict resolution in behaviour. What is an honest signal, and what makes signals honest, both within and between species? Why do some conflicts escalate and not others? Why is there conflict between parents and offspring? Conflict within the genome as an extension of conflict between individuals.

    Recommended Texts
    Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
    Explanation of Reading List: