Identifying Data 2019/20
Subject (*) Ethology Code 610G02038
Study programme
Grao en Bioloxía
Descriptors Cycle Period Year Type Credits
Graduate 1st four-month period
 Fourth Optional 6
Language
Galician
English
Teaching method Face-to-face
Prerequisites
Department Bioloxía
Coordinador
Servia García, María José
 E-mail
maria.servia@udc.es
Lecturers
Fernandez Rodriguez, Luis Jose
Servia García, María José
 E-mail
luis.fernandezr@udc.es
maria.servia@udc.es
Web http://ciencias.udc.es/bave/index.php/Profesorado/maria-j-servia.html
General description A materia ten como obxectivo formar ao alumno de forma que poida comprender os conceptos fundamentais do Comportamento animal, así como a súa evolución a través da acción da selección natural. A materia estructurarase ó redor das catro areas definidas por Tinbergen: causación, ontoxenia, función e evolución.
Abórdase específicamente a selección de hábitat, as migracións e territorialidade, a explotación de recursos e o comportamento alimentario, a selección sexual, reproducción e sistemas de apareamento e coidado parental, a comunicación animal e o comportamento social. Asemade, preténdese introducir ao alumno nos métodos de investigación en Etoloxía.
As actividades de Aprendizaxe-Servizo favorecerán a integración de Obxectivos de Desenvolvemento Sostible na docencia da materia.

Study programme competencies
Code Study programme competences
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
Be able to use basic sampling techniques in animal behaviour. A20
A23
A28
A30
A32
 B6
Be able to design experiments, obtain information and discuss results. A26
 B2
Be able to critically analyse, synthesize and present information. B3
B7
Develop the ability to work as a team member. B5
Behave ethically, being a conscious citizen and professional. B13
Be able to use information and communication tools, needed both for the professional life and the continuous learning of the student A28
 B12
Be able to critically analyse the significance of scientific knowledge, available technology and information for solving problems. B10
Be able to direct, report and perform projects in Biology. A27
Know how to learn B1
Work autonomously and with initiative B4
Proper expression, both oral and written, in the official languages of the region. B8
B11
Assume, as professional and citizen, the importance of lifelong learning. B9
B12
Proper expression, both oral and written, in a foreign language. A27
 B8

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
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
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
Part 4. Group living 4.1 Communication. Ecology and evolution of signals
4.2 Some aspects of social organization
4.3 Altruism and cooperation

Planning
Methodologies / tests Competencies Ordinary class hours Student’s personal work hours Total hours
Introductory activities B6 B7 B12 0.65 0 0.65
Guest lecture / keynote speech A1 A7 A19 B11 20 46 66
Supervised projects A19 B1 B3 B4 B5 B8 B10 1 7 8
Seminar A19 B1 B3 B7 B9 B10 B11 7 17.5 24.5
Research (Research project) A20 A23 A26 A27 A28 A30 A32 B13 15 23.4 38.4
Short answer questions A7 A19 B2 2.5 0 2.5
Aprendizaxe servizo A7 A19 B2 B7 B8 B13 1.8 6.66 8.46
 
Personalized attention 1.5 0 1.5
 
(*)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 (20) 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 in groups. Drafts of the presentation will be discussed and improved together with the professor, in person or via email. Those students participating in Service-Learning activities are exempt from this task.
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. Those students involved in Service-Learning activities may be exempt from doing some activities of the practical work.
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.
Aprendizaxe servizo SERVICE-LEARNING (SL): Students may have the option to voluntarily participate in a Service-Learning activity. There are two options with different aims: 1) to reduce pet abandonment due to behavioural problems of the animals, and 2) to inform on problems associated to the invasion of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina). Participation in this activity will exempt students form the elaboration of the class short presentation. Depending on the time required for the SL activity, students may be exempt also from doing some activities of the practical work.

Personalized attention
Methodologies
Research (Research project)
Supervised projects
Short answer questions
Aprendizaxe servizo
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.

Assessment
Methodologies Competencies Description Qualification
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.
 20
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. The assignment will be optional for those students involved in a Service-Learning activity.
 15
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.
 60
Aprendizaxe servizo A7 A19 B2 B7 B8 B13 SERVICE-LEARNING: OPTIONAL. Students will be graded through individual and group interviews. Grading will depend on the quality of the materials prepared, the contents learnt, and the active and responsible participation in all the activities. 0
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 unless absence is clearly justified.
5
 
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 (or Service-Learning activities) 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).

Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before
Statistics/610G02005
Genetics/610G02019
Population Genetics and Evolution/610G02021
Zoology I/610G02031
Zoology II/610G02032

Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously
Data Analysis in Biology/610G02044

Subjects that continue the syllabus

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.


(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.