Animal Behaviour (ZOOL30006)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
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; and
- preparedness for the workplace through experience participating in group projects.
Generic skills
This subject builds upon existing generic skills, including the ability to:
- assimilate and critically evaluate new knowledge within a scientific paradigm; and
- communicate that knowledge to a broad audience.
Last updated: 14 March 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: 14 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Weekly grading of online text annotations, averaging 200 words per assessment
| During the teaching period | 20% |
Weekly quiz assessments of interactive problems held in-class | During the teaching period | 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 | During the teaching period | 30% |
An examination
| During the examination period | 30% |
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Theresa Jones Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 12x 2-hour interactive classes per semester; 6x2-hour skills studios per semester Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- 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
Last updated: 14 March 2025