See https://www.anu.edu.au/covid-19-advice. In Sem 1 2022, this course is delivered on campus with adjustments for remote participants.
You’ve probably watched nature documentaries and heard the narrator say that a behaviour ensures the survival of the species, or is designed to maintain nature’s balance. This is scientifically nonsense. But do you know why? Do you understand, for example, why the existence of worker ants and meerkats that help others breed is so hard to explain? The answers are found in behavioural ecology.
In this course, we aim to understand how natural selection generates animals that are adapted to both their physical and social environment. We emphasize how to test evolutionary hypotheses about animal behaviour and performance. Our lectures are in five modules that cover key topics: the trade-off between survival and reproduction, the principles of animal communication, the evolution of cooperation, evolutionary arms races, and the perils of sex. We consider such questions as: How do animals balance the need to get food yet avoid predators? Can animals lie? Why are males usually bad parents? Why don’t parents produce only daughters? Why are animals choosy when mating? Why do lions cooperate to hunt? We also emphasise the importance of behavioural ecology to conservation. If we know the predictors of fitness for individuals, we can better predict population growth and responses to environmental change. Behavioural ecology therefore provides the holistic understanding needed for practical conservation. ANU has a word-class behavioural ecology group, and we include our current research alongside that carried out worldwide. Our overall aim is to help you develop a logical approach to understand and test any question in evolutionary biology.
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 the general public and other scientists.
- Read the literature critically to assimilate views on new findings and present these in writing.
- Understand how knowledge about animal behaviour can translate into conservation action.
Indicative Assessment
- Literature assignment (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Practical exercises (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final examination (45) [LO 1,2,3,5]
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 up to 130 hours including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 2-3 hours of lectures per week, 4 x 3-hour practical sessions throughout the semester.
- Approximately 82 hours of self directed 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
Prescribed Texts
Davies, N.B., Krebs, J.R. & West, S.A. 2012 An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology 4th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell
Assumed Knowledge
You are expected to have general knowledge of evolutionary processes.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4200 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $6000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3931 | 21 Feb 2022 | 28 Feb 2022 | 31 Mar 2022 | 27 May 2022 | In Person | View |
