Applied Animal Behaviour (ANSC30003)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
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This subject allows students to examine the behaviour of farm, companion and laboratory animals and highlights the processes and factors involved in cause and effect manipulating behavioural functionality. The subject will train students to describe, record and measure behaviour, examine the development of behaviour in a range of species; examine the effects of stimuli and communications; motivation, decision making, learning and memory; genetic and hormonal basis of behaviour; organisation, social, sexual, maternal, and dam-neonate interactions.

Topics covered include:

  • Describing, recording and measuring behaviour; development of behaviour
  • Stimuli and communication
  • Motivation and decision making
  • Learning and memory
  • Genetic influences on behaviour
  • Hormonal influences on behaviour
  • Organisation of behaviour
  • Social behaviour; sexual behaviour
  • Maternal behaviour and dam-neonate interactions; and behavioural problems

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of animal behaviour, and identify factors that are essential in the humane care and efficient management of these domestic animals
  • Describe and examine the behaviour of farm, companion and laboratory animals
  • Demonstrate our understanding of the causation and function of behaviour

Generic skills

On completion of the subject the students should have developed the following generic skills:

  • Academic excellence
  • Greater in-depth understanding of scientific disciplines of animal behaviour and its application to the humane care and efficient management of farm and companion animals
  • The student’s flexibility and level of transferable skills should be enhanced through improved time management and enhanced ability to communicate their ideas effectively in both written and verbal formats

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ANSC20001 Animal Physiology and Growth
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
PHYS20008 Human Physiology
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ZOOL20006 Comparative Animal Physiology
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites


Non-allowed subjects


Recommended background knowledge

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ANSC20002 Comparative Nutrition and Digestion
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
 
Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ANSC20005 Companion Animal Biology
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
 
Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ANSC20003 Topics in Animal Health
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

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: 20 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Assignment 1

  • 750 words
Week 615%

Assignment 2

  • 1250 words
Week 1035%

Examination

  • 2 hours
End of semester50%

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorLauren Hemsworth
    CoordinatorMegan Lucas
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursTwenty-four hours lectures, up to 12 hours tutorials and 12 hours practicals to be undertaken at Parkville and off-site
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025
    Last self-enrol date14 March 2025
    Census date31 March 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025
    Assessment period ends27 June 2025

    Semester 1 contact information

    lauren.hemsworth@unimelb.edu.au

    megan.lucas@unimelb.edu.au

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: 20 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 20 March 2025