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

Exercices

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.

Assessment method

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)

Sources, references and any support material

Niko Tinbergen: Curious naturalist

Campan et Scapini: Ethologie ( Ed. de Boeck)

Altman, J, (1974): Bahavioral sampling methods 

Language of instruction

French