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Experimental Animal Behaviour (ZOOL30007)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
In this subject you will conduct group-based, hands-on, original research into animal behaviour. Over the semester you will be immersed in the entire process of scientific research - from hypothesis development and experimental design, through to data collection and statistical analysis. You will report your findings in spoken and written formats, and critically review the work of other students. Study animals range from insects and spiders, to fish, birds and mammals – in the lab, zoo or wild. You will emerge with an authentic experience of scientific research – complete with its challenges, frustrations and the thrill of scientific discovery.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Locate and synthesise relevant information from the literature in order to establish the aims, scope and context of a research project
- Develop a rigorous observational or experimental study that addresses the aims of the project
- Undertake methodologically rigorous data collection and data analysis
- Identify and interpret patterns in data, and, using appropriate statistical inference, relate discoveries and insights to relevant published literature on the topic
- Provide constructive and authoritative feedback on written and oral reports of other students through peer review
- Draw on peer reviews of their own work to redraft, reframe and refine their ideas
- Communicate a rational, lucid, scientific argument in a written report and either as an oral or poster presentation
- Collaborate effectively with student peers in a team to achieve excellent project outcomes
Generic skills
This subject builds upon existing generic skills, including the ability to:
- Assimilate and critically evaluate new knowledge within a scientific paradigm
- Communicate orally or in writing all aspects of the project (rationale, design, analysis, outcomes)
- Organise activities towards a goal and work cooperatively and constructively as a member of a research team
- Conduct statistical analysis, interpretation and critical evaluation of scientific data
- Provide and respond to peer feedback
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ZOOL20005 | Animal Structure and Function | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ZOOL20006 | Comparative Animal Physiology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
All of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ECOL20003 | Ecology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
Note: the following subject/s can also be taken concurrently (at the same time)
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ZOOL30006 | Animal Behaviour | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
OR
From 2024 onwards
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST20031 | Analysis of Biological Data | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ZOOL20005 | Animal Structure and Function | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL20001 | Evolution: Making Sense Of Life | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ECOL20003 | Ecology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
From 2024 onwards
Student must complete the following subject at the same time and in the same calendar year:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ZOOL30006 | Animal Behaviour | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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: 15 February 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A written project plan submitted by the end of the first three weeks of semester
| From Week 2 to Week 4 | 10% |
Reviews of written and spoken work by peers (2 written reviews, 400 words each and 1 oral review, 200 words; 25%) followed by a rejoinder to reviewer comments (500 words, 5%)
| From Week 7 to Week 11 | 30% |
An oral presentation (approx. 1 hour group planning time; 2 hours of preparation of presentation slides and notes)
| From Week 9 to Week 12 | 10% |
Evaluation of contribution to project work by group members (including supervisor)
| End of semester | 10% |
A written scientific report
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Emile van Lieshout Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 hours of tutorial per week (36 hours total) and 60 hours of practical project work in students' own time during the semester Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 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.
Additional delivery details
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities.
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
M. S. Dawkins, Observing animal behaviour: design and analysis of quantitative data,Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2007.
P. Martin & P. Bateson, Measuring behaviour: an introductory guide, 3rd Ed.Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2009
- 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.
This subject was previously known as 654-320 Experimental Behavioural Zoology (prior to 2011)
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Major Zoology Major Zoology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Commerce
- 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.
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: 15 February 2024