Learning outcomes
To understand the evolution of ethology as a discpline as well as of the principal theoretical influences it received over the last 50 years. To examine the present applications of ethology, in particular in the area of conservation.
Content
The course aims at approaching animal behavior, including its social components, its selection and evolution, and the main aspects of animal ecology: access to ressources, to social partners, defense against predation and parental investment. A particular interest will be devoted to conservation issues and to how eco-ethology is now closely connected with botany, verinarian sciences, agronomy,...
Table of contents
Course 1 From ethology to eco-ethology
Course 2 Social structures, Socio-ecology and socio-biology
Course 3 Ressource exploitation
Course 4 Defense against predation
Course 5 Observation methods and data collection
Course 6 Ethology and conservation
Course 7 Wilderness under anthropic pressures and zoonoses
Course 8 Illustrations
Exercises description
Two days of data collection at the Köel Zoo: selection of a research question and pratice of sampling methods.
Redaction of a 10 pages report, using the scientific paper format, with at least six references.
Teaching methods
Theoretical course
- theoretical lectures
- illustration by lectures on current research programs
- reading of selected papers
Pratical course
- personal exercice of observation at the Koëln Zoo, with analysis of data collected, redaction of a report and presentation of results.
Evaluations
Theoretical exam: (60%).
Oral, based on a reading file and on lectures
Practical course:(40%)
Oral presentation with PPT support. Evalutation of the written report ( about 10 pages on the observation at the Köeln Zoo)
Recommended readings
Niko Tinbergen: Curious naturalist
Campan et Scapini: Ethologie ( Ed. de Boeck)
Altman, J, (1974): Bahavioral sampling methods
Language of instruction
French / Français
Location for course
NAMUR
Organizer
Faculté des sciences
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR
Degree of Reference
Undergraduate Degree