Study programme competencies |
Code
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Study programme competences
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A1 |
Recoñecer distintos niveis de organización nos sistemas vivos. |
A7 |
Reconstruír as relacións filogenéticas entre unidades operacionales e pór a proba hipóteses evolutivas. |
A19 |
Analizar e interpretar o comportamento dous seres vivos. |
A20 |
Muestrear, caracterizar e manexar poboacións e comunidades. |
A23 |
Avaliar o impacto ambiental. Diagnosticar e solucionar problemas ambientais. |
A26 |
Deseñar experimentos, obter información e interpretar os resultados. |
A27 |
Dirixir, redactar e executar proxectos en Bioloxía. |
A28 |
Desenvolver e implantar sistemas de xestión relacionados coa Bioloxía. |
A30 |
Manexar adecuadamente instrumentación científica. |
A32 |
Desenvolverse con seguridade no traballo de campo. |
B1 |
Aprender a aprender. |
B2 |
Resolver problemas de forma efectiva. |
B3 |
Aplicar un pensamento crítico, lóxico e creativo. |
B4 |
Traballar de forma autónoma con iniciativa. |
B5 |
Traballar en colaboración. |
B6 |
Organizar e planificar o traballo. |
B7 |
Comunicarse de maneira efectiva nunha contorna de traballo. |
B8 |
Sintetizar a información. |
B9 |
Formarse unha opinión propia. |
B10 |
Exercer a crítica científica. |
B11 |
Debater en público. |
B12 |
Adaptarse a novas situacións. |
B13 |
Comportarse con ética e responsabilidade social como cidadán e como profesional. |
Learning aims |
Learning outcomes |
Study programme competences |
Be able to understand animal behaviour as a result of evolution in relation to the environment |
A1 A7 A19
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Be able to use basic sampling techniques in animal behaviour. |
A20 A23 A28 A30 A32
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B6
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Be able to design experiments, obtain information and discuss results. |
A26
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B2
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Be able to critically analyse, synthesize and present information. |
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B3 B7
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Develop the ability to work as a team member.
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B5
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Behave ethically, being a conscious citizen and professional. |
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B13
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Be able to use information and communication tools, needed both for the professional life and the continuous learning of the student |
A28
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B12
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Be able to critically analyse the significance of scientific knowledge, available technology and information for solving problems. |
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B10
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Be able to direct, report and perform projects in Biology. |
A27
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Know how to learn |
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B1
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Work autonomously and with initiative |
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B4
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Proper expression, both oral and written, in the official languages of the region. |
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B8 B11
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Assume, as professional and citizen, the importance of lifelong learning. |
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B9 B12
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Proper expression, both oral and written, in a foreign language. |
A27
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B8
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Contents |
Topic |
Sub-topic |
Part 1. Fundamental concepts of Ethology |
1.1 Introduction and history of Ethology.
1.2 Proximate causes and ontogeny of behaviour
1.3 Evolution and adaptative value of behaviour
1.4 Group selection and kin selection
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Part 2. Taking decissions |
2.1 Optimality models in animal behaviour
2.2 Predation and anti-predator behaviour
2.3 Habitat selection. Dispersal, philopatry and territoriality
2.4 Orientation and migration
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Part 3. Sex and behaviour |
3.1 Sexual reproduction: costs and benefits
3.2 Ecology of mating systems
3.3 Sexual selection
3.4 Parental care
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Part 4. Group living |
4.1 Communication. Ecology and evolution of signals
4.2 Some aspects of social organization
4.3 Altruism and cooperation
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Planning |
Methodologies / tests |
Competencies |
Ordinary class hours |
Student’s personal work hours |
Total hours |
Introductory activities |
B6 B7 B12 |
0.4 |
0 |
0.4 |
Guest lecture / keynote speech |
A1 A7 A19 B11 |
24 |
55.2 |
79.2 |
Supervised projects |
A19 B1 B3 B4 B5 B8 B10 |
0.35 |
1.75 |
2.1 |
Seminar |
A19 B1 B3 B7 B9 B10 B11 |
10 |
20 |
30 |
Research (Research project) |
A20 A23 A26 A27 A28 A30 A32 B13 |
15 |
19.05 |
34.05 |
Short answer questions |
A7 A19 B2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
Multiple-choice questions |
A7 A19 B2 B8 |
0.75 |
0 |
0.75 |
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Personalized attention |
|
1.5 |
0 |
1.5 |
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(*)The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students. |
Methodologies |
Methodologies |
Description |
Introductory activities |
PRESENTATION: The course will be briefly presented during the first class. Contents, activities, schedules and grading will be explained in this session. |
Guest lecture / keynote speech |
LECTURES (24) will consist mainly in oral sessions, where experiments, graphs and videos will be analysed. The slides used by the professor will be available through the Moodle platform. |
Supervised projects |
ASSIGNMENTS: Students will be asked to prepare and defend a short presentation (5-10 minutes) in groups of 2-3 persons during classes. Drafts of the presentation will be discussed and improved together with the professor, in person or via email. |
Seminar |
SEMINARS: An important part of the seminars will involve reading and discussion of primary scientific literature related to class contents. We will work also on subjects and methods related to class assignments. Students will be graded depending on their active participation and/or through short exams. |
Research (Research project) |
PRACTICAL WORK: Practical work will involve the analysis of videos and material for introducing students to the methods for the observation and quantification of behaviour. Whenever possible, we will perform part of the practical work in outdoor facilities (ex. the Aquarium Finisterrae). Students will produce a final research report. |
Short answer questions |
SHORT ANSWER EXAM: One final exam will be given. It will consist of 10 objective, short answer questions that will require detailed and precise responses. |
Multiple-choice questions |
MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAM: During the semester we will have a multiple choice exam that will cover part of the classes. |
Personalized attention |
Methodologies
|
Research (Research project) |
Supervised projects |
Short answer questions |
Multiple-choice questions |
Guest lecture / keynote speech |
Seminar |
|
Description |
The professor will solve doubts and provide support for class assignments, seminars and practical work during the office hours or by appointment, in person or via email. Students will be assisted by the professor in the preparation of class expositions, so they attain a minimum quality. Only class expositions already reviewed by the professor will be allowed to be presented and graded. Students may ask for clarifications in any activity, including exams. |
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Assessment |
Methodologies
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Competencies |
Description
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Qualification
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Research (Research project) |
A20 A23 A26 A27 A28 A30 A32 B13 |
PRACTICAL WORK: MANDATORY. Students will prepare a report in a scientific format that will include: the objectives of the work, material and methods used, the results obtained and a short discussion. Those students unable to attend the practical lessons will be required to prepare a report on a field work, under the supervision of the professor.
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15 |
Supervised projects |
A19 B1 B3 B4 B5 B8 B10 |
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS: MANDATORY. They will be graded depending on their originality, the clear connection with the class contents, the quality of the sources and the quality of the exposition.
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10 |
Short answer questions |
A7 A19 B2 |
SHORT ANSWER EXAM: MANDATORY. The final exam will consist of 10 objective, short answer questions that will require precise and well-reasoned responses. Literally reproduction of class slides will lower the grade. For passing the exam students are REQUIRED TO OBTAIN AT LEAST 4 POINTS OUT OF 10.
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60 |
Multiple-choice questions |
A7 A19 B2 B8 |
MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAM: MANDATORY. There is no negative marking for errors.
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10 |
Seminar |
A19 B1 B3 B7 B9 B10 B11 |
SEMINARS: Students will be graded depending on attendance and active participation. Assessment might include also short exams. ABSENT STUDENTS WILL EARN NO POINTS FOR THE SEMINARS.
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5 |
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Assessment comments |
Most of the lectures contents will be assessed in a final exam. This exam will count 6 points, and students are required to obtain at least 2.4 points out of 6 to pass it (the exam will have 10 questions, so students are required to obtain at least 4 points). IMPORTANT: Students have the right to be assessed in the official languages of the UDC (Galician and Spanish) in an appointment process. Seminars, practical work reports and class assignments will count 4 points. Active participation in these activities is expected, and group working is strongly recommended. Students who do not complete all the required tasks and activities will not be able to attain the maximum grade (10 points) in any of the grading opportunities. Points earned in seminars, practical work and class assignments will be kept for the two grading opportunities. Students are required to obtain at least 5 points out of 10 to pass the course. For being classified as “Absent”, students can not take the final exam (the short answer exam).
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Sources of information |
Basic
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ALCOCK, J. (2005). Animal Behavior (8_ ed.). Sinauer Associates, Inc.
ALCOCK, J. (2009). Animal Behavior (9_ ed.). Sinauer Associates, Inc.
CARRANZA, J. (ED.) (1994). Etología. Introducción A La Ciencia Del Comportamiento . Cáceres, Universidad De Extremadura, Servicio De Publicaciones.
DANCHIN, E., GIRALDEAU, L. & CÉZILLY, F. (2008). Behavioural Ecology. Oxford University Press.
DUGATKIN, L.A. (2009). Principles of Animal Behavior. W.W. Norton, New York.
FREEMAN, S. & J.C. HERRON (2002). Análisis Evolutivo . Madrid, Pearson Educación.
KREBS, J.R. & N.B. DAVIES (1993). An Introduction To Behavioural Ecology . Oxford, Blackwell Scientific Publications |
Complementary
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DRICKAMER, L.C., VESSEY, S.H. & MEIKLE, D. (1996). Animal behavior (4_ed.). Wm. C. Brown Publishers.
GOODENOUGH, J., B. MCGUIRE, & WALLACE, R.A. (2001). Perspectives in animal behavior. John Wiley & Sons.
GRIER, J.W. & BURK, T. (1992). Biology of animal behavior (2_ed.). Mosby-Year Book
MAIER, R. (2001). Comportamiento animal. Un enfoque evolutivo y ecológico. McGraw-Hill. |
Recommendations |
Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before |
Estatística/610G02005 | Xenética/610G02019 | Xenética de poboacións e evolución/610G02021 | Zooloxía: Zooloxía I/610G02031 | Zooloxía: Zooloxía II/610G02032 |
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Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously |
Análise de datos en Bioloxía/610G02044 |
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Subjects that continue the syllabus |
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Other comments |
Class slides will be available to students through the Moodle platform. However, slides are only a guiding tool, and students are expected to do extra reading and work to pass the course. Attendance to classes and reading of texts and extra materials is strongly recommended. |
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