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Unit of study_
BIOL3946: Animal Behaviour (Advanced)
2025 unit information
The content will be based on the standard unit BIOL3046 but qualified students will participate in alternative components at a more advanced level. The unit will provide a broad overview of the scientific study of animal behaviour. It will consider mechanistic and functional explanations of animal behaviour across contexts including kin selection and altruism, sociality, foraging, aggression and competition, sexual selection and mate choice, the behaviour of predators and prey, and communication and signalling. The information presented and discussed in this unit will reflect the most up-to-date research in each aspect of the field of animal behaviour. Practical sessions are closely aligned with the lecture material and will foster the development of key skills by providing hands-on experience of experimental design, data collection and analysis.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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An average mark of 75 or above in [12 credit points of BIOL2XXX] or [6 credit points of BIOL2XXX and (MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)] |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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BIOL3046 or BIOL3025 or BIOL3925 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. describe and discuss the concepts associated with the scientific study of animal behaviour
- LO2. identify and discuss some of the current topics in animal behaviour research
- LO3. design and complete experimental and observational research in animal behaviour
- LO4. critically read, evaluate and synthesise information from the primary literature
- LO5. conduct analysis of data and communicate your findings concisely and scientifically in both written and graphical forms.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Departmental permission requirements
If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.
You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.
Read our information on departmental permission.
