Animal Science

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course is taught as ZO 3020 Behavioural Ecology at Trinity College in Dublin. This lecture and practical course gives a broad grounding in the theoretical and pracical basis of behavioural ecology. The subject is introduced with an historical overview of the basic concepts behind the study of animal behaviour. Following this, topics covered in detail include how animals obtain food, avoid predators, breed and communicate. The practical work provides students with experience in studying behaviour in both the field and the laboratory, and provides training in behavioural recording techniques. It guides students through appropriate statistical analysis of the data sets collected in the practicals, and in their presentation in written form. It includes work with live animals both in the laboratory and at Dublin Zoo. When this course is offered at Perth, Australia, the course description is as follows. This unit begins with concepts of the behaviour and welfare of animals because society now demands that students be thoroughly trained in these areas. This is followed by a consideration of the principles of animal physiology and ecology as a basis for understanding how both native and domestic animals are distributed within Western Australia and how they cope with, and adapt to, their environment. Growth and development, reproduction, genetics and nutrition are considered as the underlying biology for production (meat, wool, milk, eggs) in domestic animals and for the management and conservation of native animals. Animals' requirements for nutrients are considered in relation to their supply of food under natural, extensive conditions on the one hand and under controlled, intensive conditions on the other. When taught in Dublin, Ireland the course ZOOL 20020 Animal Behaviour at UCD; A wide-ranging review, including insects, vertebrates and Man, of significant and fundamental aspects of animal behaviour. Phenomena dealt with in detail include: insect chemoreception with special reference to chemical cues, interpretation of deer behaviour in the context of game theory, and the role of pheromones in human behaviour.