Behavioural Ecology

The course covers central features in evolutionary behavioural ecology. Particular emphasis will be put on the evolution of animal behaviour in an ecological context, as well as the behavioural and evolutionary mechanisms involved. In this context, subjects discussed include optimality and evolutionarily stable strategies, cooperative social interactions in the context of evolutionary conflicts interest, social behaviour and life-history evolution. The course requires detailed preparation through a reading of the scientific literature followed by active participation from all students in each of the ten class seminar discussions.

Knowledge

The candidate should be able to demonstrate knowledge concerning:

• The importance of personalities and plasticity in the evolution of behaviour;
• The application of optimality and game theory to explain animal behaviour;
• How state-dependent decision-making affects optimal behaviour in animals;
• The evolution of animal behaviour in a social context and how we study it;
• The current research frontiers in the evolution of cooperation and conflict;
• Central issues and controversies in current research on kin selection.

Skills

The candidate should be able to demonstrate skills in:

• Evaluating and discussing the primary scientific literature;
• Critically evaluating scientific theory and methodologies;
• Verbally discussing current issues at the forefront of biological research.

General competence

The candidate should demonstrate general competence in:

• Working individually and in a group to resolve advanced scientific questions;
• The ability to effectively communicate complex scientific arguments, theories and evidence;
• Using specific knowledge to construct a broader framework of scientific understanding.

Seminar: 30 hours Intensively taught over 5-6 weeks