This is an Honours Pathway Course, in which lectures emphasise recent research topics and students carry out a substantial research project with PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and senior academics in the Research School of Biology. The course will examine current topics in sensory physiology and neural control of behaviour (ecological neuroscience), such as sensory ecology of vision, hearing and olfaction, animal communication and animal navigation. The emphasis is on information processing in animals under natural conditions, both with regard to environmental variables and internal states, including the design of sensory systems in relation to environment and life style. Topics covered may vary between years and students are advised to check the syllabus with the course convener.
Enrolment for this course is restricted and convenor permission is required.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:1. Describe and understand the way in which light, sound, mechanical forces and chemicals are being sensed and coded in sensory systems
2. Identify, explain and analyse the information content of different sensory modalities
3. Assess and analyse the structure and knowledge-base of animal navigation and animal communication
4. Conduct and critically assess measurements and experiments on colour & spatial vision, on functional morphology of insect eyes and on animal navigation
5. Write a scientific report on an extended research project in ecological neuroscience (one of ANU's research strengths)
Other Information
This course will be run intensively during 2-13 February.Preference will be given to 3rd year students. Enrolment is restricted to 25 students and entry will be merit-based. Students should email rsb.studentadmin@anu.edu.au by 24 November to register for the course. A permission code will be emailed to students who have been admitted into the course.
Indicative Assessment
Assessment will be based on:- Oral and written reports on research project (50%; LO 4, 5)
- Examination (50%; LO 1-3)
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
Three hours of lectures and three hours of practical work per day. The research project will be carried out on two full days of field work in Canberra.Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Biology Teaching and Learning Centre to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Assumed Knowledge
Recommended CoursesPhysics, Physiology and Neuroscience
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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $3276 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $4368 |
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.
