Ch. 1: Introduction to Animal Behaviour

Course Introduction

  • Course Name: Introduction to Animal Behaviour (PSYC/BIOL 2721)

  • Instructor: Dr. David Wilson

  • Contact Information:

    • Email: dwilson@mun.ca

    • Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM in office SN-3085, by appointment or drop-in.

  • Course Materials: Available on Brightspace (http://online.mun.ca)

Instructor Biography

  • Education:

    • B.Sc. in Zoology and Animal Behaviour from University of Manitoba (2003)

    • M.Sc. in Antipredator Behaviour in Richardson’s ground squirrels from University of Manitoba (2005)

    • Ph.D. in Sexual Selection, Communication, and Anti-predator Behaviour in fowl from Macquarie University (2009)

  • Current Position: Associate Professor at Memorial University in the Departments of Psychology and Biology (2014 - present)

Teaching Assistant

  • Name: Katie Burt

  • Contact Information: keburt@mun.ca

  • Office Hours: By appointment

Research Focus

  • The research interest focuses on the behaviour and cognition of dogs:

    • Over half a billion domestic dogs worldwide, with over 40% of North American households reporting ownership.

    • The relationship between humans and dogs has evolved over thousands of years, influencing dog behaviour.

    • Recognition of the lack of scientific study on dog behaviour until recent decades, highlighting a significant area for research in the realm of animal behaviour and cognition.

Relevant Societies in Animal Behaviour

  • Animal Behaviour Society (Americas): www.animalbehaviorsociety.org

  • International Society for Behavioral Ecology: www.behavecol.com

  • Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (Europe): asab.nottingham.ac.uk

  • Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour: www.assab.org

  • Nature Newfoundland and Labrador: https://naturenl.ca

Research Tools and Resources

  • Web of Science: A platform for scientific research with citation databases. It includes comprehensive search options and limits on publication dates.

    • Cited Reference Search: Helps identify impactful articles within the field of animal behaviour.

  • Google Scholar: Offers citation tracking and publication management tools for academic researchers.

    • Example of cited works related to animal behaviour provided.

  • ResearchGate: A networking site for researchers to share and access publications, engage in discussions, and monitor metrics of their work.

Major Journals in Animal Behaviour

  • Animal Behaviour: A high-impact journal covering all aspects of animal behaviour.

  • Behavioral Ecology: Focuses on the evolutionary basis of animal behaviour and its ecological implications.

  • Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology: Covers research on relationships between social behaviours of animals and their evolutionary significance.

  • Journal of Ethology: Focuses on animal behaviour and the underlying physiological and ecological processes.

Course Structure

Evaluation Components

  • Term Test 1: 30% (scheduled for October 8)

  • Term Test 2: 30% (scheduled for November 5)

  • Assignment: 10% (due October 22)

  • Final Exam: 40% (to be scheduled by the registrar)

  • Policies:

    • Missed tests due to illness must be documented.

    • Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

Lecture Topics

  • Historical perspectives in animal behaviour.

  • Classical ethology versus comparative psychology.

  • Nature versus nurture debate including Tinbergen’s 4 questions.

  • Genetic basis of behaviour and its evolutionary framework.

  • Different approaches to studying behaviour.

  • Relationship between behaviour and the nervous system.

  • Influence of hormones on behaviour.

  • Ontogeny (development of an individual) and behaviour.

  • Learning and cultural transmission in animals.

  • Concepts of animal personality.

  • Habitat selection and effects of environmental factors.

  • Strategies for avoiding predators and foraging for food.

  • Mechanisms of communication among animals.

Important Notes

  • This course does not require a textbook.

  • Lecture slides, assignment instructions, grades, and feedback will be provided online via Brightspace.

  • Ethical Considerations: Discussion on ethical, philosophical, and practical implications of research in animal behaviour will be included throughout the course in relation to the topics covered.