Animal Behaviour (ZOOL30006)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
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This subject explores how natural and sexual selection have shaped the intriguing and often bizarre behaviours of animals. Topics include resource competition, predator avoidance, communication, mate choice, parental care, cooperation, sexual conflict, and the role of genes, hormones and learning in shaping behavioural diversity. We evaluate the scientific rigour of studies used to test theory, and highlight the often ingenious methods adopted by researchers to understand animal behaviour

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should demonstrate:



  • the ability to articulate a proximate (mechanistic) or ultimate (evolutionary) perspective on any aspect of animal behaviour
  • an understanding of the diversity of experimental and manipulative approaches available for the study of animal behaviour, and the ability to apply an appropriate approach to an unfamiliar problem
  • the ability to explain an aspect of animal behaviour to different audiences in written, spoken or audiovisual format
  • the ability to articulate different forms of biological data and how to make inferences from them
  • the ability to conduct an effective literature search and synthesise findings and critique a given topic in animal behaviour
  • the ability to design an effective experiment
  • preparedness for the workplace through experience participating in group projects

Generic skills

This subject builds upon existing generic skills, including an ability to assimilate and critically evaluate new knowledge within a scientific paradigm, and to communicate that knowledge to a broad audience.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ECOL20003 Ecology
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ZOOL20005 Animal Structure and Function
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ZOOL20006 Comparative Animal Physiology
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Assessment

Additional details

  • Weekly grading of online text annotations, averaging 200 words per assessment (20%)
  • Weekly quiz assessments of interactive problems held in-class (20%)
  • Written work (up to 1000 words) and either oral (up to 20 minutes) or audiovisual (up to 5 minutes) work associated with fortnightly skills studios, totalling 30%. 
  • A 2-hour examination in the examination period (30%)

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorRaoul Mulder
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours12x 2-hour interactive classes per semester; 6x2-hour skills studios per semester
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018
    Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018
    Census date31 March 2018
    Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018
    Assessment period ends22 June 2018

    Semester 1 contact information

    ZOOL30006@zoology.unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

Additional delivery details

Interactive classes and skills studios

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Breed, MD & Moore, J (2016). Animal Behaviour, 2nd Edition. Elsevier.

    Recommended texts and other resources

    Davies, Nicholas B, Krebs, John R., West, Stuart A. (2012). An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 9781405114165.

  • Subject notes

    This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.

     

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    MajorZoology
    Informal specialisationAnimal Disease Biotechnology specialisation
    MajorZoology
    Informal specialisationZoology
    Informal specialisationSelective subjects for B-BMED
    Informal specialisationScience-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG.
    Informal specialisationZoology
    MajorEcology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Breadth options

    This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 9 April 2025