Our aim in this course is to introduce you to the logic of thinking about the process of adaptation. We will do this by addressing a number of key controversies in behavioural ecology, the study of how natural selection shapes the behaviour of animals. Our lectures are organised into four modules: how can cooperative behaviour emerge and be maintained, how can the costs and benefits of behavioural and reproductive strategies be balanced, what are the underlying principles that govern animal communication, and the biology of sex: when is it advantageous to produce sons or daughters, what are the benefits of mate choice to females, why in some systems do males provide more care to offspring than females? These areas cover research topics of interest to the strong behavioural ecology group at ANU. However, the primary aim of the course is to develop a logical approach that can be applied to understanding any question in biology.
Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates, but also have additional components and assessment.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- recognise when behaviour poses difficulties for accepted wisdom and theory
- think strategically on how to formulate and test adaptive hypotheses
- communicate problems and their solutions to both an intelligent public and a community of informed scientists
- read the literature critically to assimilate views on new findings and present these views in writing
- carry out independent literature research
Other Information
Please email rsb.studentadmin@anu.edu.au to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Indicative Assessment
- Literature assignment (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Essay (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Workshop exercises (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final examination (50) [LO 1,2,3]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 2-3 hours of lectures per week, 4 x 3-hour workshop sessions throughout the semester.
- Approximately 75 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations, group work reports and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
Not yet determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Biology Teaching and Learning Centre to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Davies, N.B., Krebs, J.R. & West, S.A. 2012 An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology 4th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3694 | 24 Feb 2020 | 02 Mar 2020 | 08 May 2020 | 05 Jun 2020 | In Person | View |