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Basic module Behavioral Biology

In the basic module, we begin with an introduction to the fundamentals of behavioural biology. What are proximate and ultimate bases of behaviour? How has behaviour evolved? How does stress affect an organism? We will explore all of these questions related to behavioural physiology, neurobiology, and ecology.

To deepen our knowledge, we will conduct experiments on basic theories of behavioural biology in the exercise part of the module. We will create an ethogram about the behavior of the house mouse, which will be applied in a preference test. In a second experiment we deal with learning experiments. Thus, we give an introduction to the planning, design and evaluation of experiments and to statistical analysis. In this way, a basis for further modules will be created.

From the module description:

In the basic module Behavioural Biology, students will acquire basic scientific competencies in the discipline. They acquire basic knowledge of behavioural biology and its theoretical foundations. They receive an introduction to the hypothesis-based planning, execution, recording and evaluation of behavioural experiments.

Lecture: Introduction to the basics of behavioural biology: proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour; behavioural physiology and neurobiology; behavioural ecology.

Exercises: Introduction to experimental planning, design and evaluation; creation of an ethogram; introduction to the basics of statistics; experiments on selected topics of behavioural biology e.g. learning, choice experiments, behavioural control.