An introduction to animal behaviour

We explore the multidisciplinary nature of animal behaviour. You will be taught about different ways of explaining behaviour such as, perspectives of mechanism, development, function and phylogeny. We plan to meet a variety of vertebrates and invertebrates, and observe their behaviour (at a location up to 1km away on foot).

Welcome to the exciting field of animal behaviour! This course will introduce you to the broad and multidisciplinary nature of the study of behaviour.

You will first learn about the history of the study of behaviour, and differences in emphases between the fields of psychology and ethology (with particular reference to the learning process). Later, we will take an integrated approach to studying behaviour by using a framework of proximate (developmental and mechanistic) and ultimate (functional and phylogenetic) explanations. Fundamental processes influencing animal behaviour will be considered, including the relative contributions of evolutionary processes, genetics, the nervous system, learning, and the environment.

You will learn how to frame questions and hypotheses in the scientific investigation of behaviour, and will use basic techniques for describing and recording behavioural observations. You will discover potential applications of behavioural studies and enhance your understanding of sound experimental design. Such skills will be useful in a wide range of scientific and animal management careers.

The course will primarily be taught via a range of exciting lectures, but sessions will also feature discussions, visits from special non-human guests, scientific games, 3D videos, experiments, demonstrations, and digital quizzes. The course is planned to include a field observation of animal behaviour on a local fen. (0.5km away)

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:

• Discuss the multidisciplinary and philosophical origins of, and the importance of applying scientific methodology in the study of pure and applied animal behaviour;
• Develop proximate and ultimate hypotheses for the behaviour of animals;
• Present evidence for the effects of genetic and environmental factors on behaviour;
• Demonstrate knowledge of the body processes underpinning behaviour.

Classes

1. A history of behavioural research
Historical and philosophical background to the field.
Comparison of ethology, psychology and behavioural ecology.
How to ask questions about animal behaviour: Tinbergen’s four types of question.

2. Methods used to study behaviour
Measuring behaviour in the laboratory and field. Constructing ethograms.
Field observation exercise on a local fen.

3. Ultimate explanations of behaviour
The influence of natural selection on behaviour.
Adaptiveness, optimality and evolutionarily stable strategies.

4. Proximate mechanisms of behaviour
Physiological explanations of behaviour.
The nature vs nurture debate.
The heritability of behaviour.
Instincts and learning

5. Comparative studies of animal cognition
Inside the black box: an introduction to cognition and decision making.
Definitions of "intelligence".
Pitfalls of studying animal cognition.

Required reading

Please read at least one of the following:  

• Dawkins, R. The Selfish Gene. Oxford University Press, Oxford, (2006, or any year).
• Manning, A and Dawkins, M S. An Introduction to Animal Behaviour. 6th edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, (2012). 
• Martin, P and Bateson, P. Measuring Behaviour: an introductory guide. 3rd edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, (2007). 

Typical week: Monday to Friday

For each week of study you select a morning (Am) and an afternoon (Pm) course, each course has five sessions, one each day Monday to Friday. The maximum class size is 25 students. Your weekly courses are complemented by a series of two daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £65 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically within a week of your courses finishing.