Behaviour and Ecology Field Course

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Present a short behavioural ecology field study to your peers in a conference-style presentation
• Analyse, synthesise and interpret field study findings, using evidence from a variety of sources
• Design and implement a field-based behavioural ecology research project, which includes an awareness of the challenges of field research, including the importance of using appropriate survey methods and apparatus
• Consider the ecological and evolutionary selection pressures which shape the behaviours expressed by animals
• Reflect upon the challenges posed by field research, in order to assist in the planning, implementation, analysis and interpretation of study data

Preparatory lectures in Southampton will focus on behavioural measurement, to assist in effective study design and data collection. After arrival in Bolonia, we will spend a couple of days looking around the area and trialling behavioural data collection, to help you to develop your research project. You will then spend 3 days intensely collecting data. Upon return to Southampton, project groups will present their findings to the whole module, in a mini research symposium.

Lectures, seminars, field work, student presentations

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.