Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Martin Whiting
Caitlin Kordis
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
39cp at 100 level or above including (BIOL208 or BIOL228 or BIOL229 or BIOL257 or BIOL260 or BIOL262)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Communication underpins all social behaviour. Research on animal signalling provides insights into sensory processes, decision making and the factors determining success or failure in the struggle to reproduce. This unit reviews major current issues in the study of animal communication, taking a broadly integrative approach to cover evolution, development, function, and mechanism. Topics include: channels of communication; sensory systems; evolutionary origins; design features of language and communication systems; the problem of intentionality; manipulation; and deception.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Unit completion requirements
To pass this subject you must achieve all of the following:
Assignment extensions and penalties
5% of the mark allocated for any assignment will be deducted for every 24 h period (or part thereof) that any work is submitted past the nominated deadline.
Assignment 1: poster
You will prepare a scientific poster based on research and data from one of your practicals. You will conduct original research in which you will test an hypothesis or answer a research question by designing a behavioural experiment in the practical. The results of this study will be communicated in an electronic poster (we will not print them). This assignment draws on research and communication skills that you will develop in this course.
Assignment 2: research report
You will conduct a series of behavioural experiments on sugar ants over the course of two practicals. You will determine the questions or hypotheses you wish to address based on the background information you are given, and any pilot studies you conduct. The results will be written as a short scientific paper in which you will present the analyses of your data and place it in the context of general animal behaviour theory.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Quizzes | 10% | No | see iLearn |
Poster of original research | 10% | No | Int: 3 Sep; Ext: 20 Sep |
Mid-semester exam | 15% | No | Int: 3 Oct; Ext: 17 Sep |
Report of experimental study | 25% | No | Int: 5 Oct; Ext: 18 Oct |
Final exam | 40% | No | Exam period |
Due: see iLearn
Weighting: 10%
There will be 4 online quizzes during the course of the semester.
Due: Int: 3 Sep; Ext: 20 Sep
Weighting: 10%
You will make a poster but will not be required to print it. The poster will be from one of your lab practicals in which you conducted an experiment.
Due: Int: 3 Oct; Ext: 17 Sep
Weighting: 15%
The mid-semester exam will take place in the lecture. It will cover the material from the lectures and practicals up until the day of the exam and will have a mix of multiple choice and short answer questions.
Due: Int: 5 Oct; Ext: 18 Oct
Weighting: 25%
The experiment report will be written about an experiment you will conduct in the practical. It will include: an introduction, your methods, your results and a brief discussion.
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 40%
The final exam will take place during the exam period in November. It will cover material from the lectures and pracs for the entire semester.
Unit outline, lecture and practical materials and course notices will be distributed via iLearn.
iLearn is a web-based computer mediated communication package and can be accessed by most web browsers from inside or outside the University. iLearn and email will be the principle method of communication in this subject.
You must use iLearn for:
The URL for the iLearn log-in page is: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. You will need to log in to iLearn each time you use it. If you are having trouble accessing your online unit due to a disability or health condition, please go to the Student Services Website at http://students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/disability_service/services_available/ for information on how to get assistance. If you are having problems logging on and you cannot log in after ensuring you have entered your username and password correctly, you should contact Student IT Help, Phone: (02) 9850 4357 (in Sydney) or 1 800 063 191 (outside Sydney).
Textbook
You can certainly survive this course without a textbook. However, if you wish to get the most out of the course and really use the opportunity to learn something about animal behaviour, I recommend buying Animal Behaviour (11th ed.) by Dustin Rubenstein and John Alcock, available at the Co-op bookshop on campus. There are also copies in the library that you can consult. And note that earlier editions (e.g. 10th ed.) are only by Alcock. There are many other animal behaviour books that will also be useful for this course. There are also likely to be plenty of second-hand copies for purchase online (of earlier editions). Finally, reading this book will help with the quizzes.
There will be several guest lectures by experts in their respective fields. We will also have a few people Skype in to the lecture and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.
This is the schedule of lectures by topic, but not by week.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
This unit explores the fascinating world of animal behaviour, searching out unifying principles that underlie the extreme diversity of behaviour in nature. Why do birds and bees sing and dance? What keeps families together? How do animals find food? How do animals with very different sensory systems find their way about? How has animal behaviour been shaped by evolution and what are the relative roles of natural and sexual selection?
This unit provides insights into sensory processes and decision making. It also reviews major current issues in the study of animal communication while exploring the physiological and neural mechanisms underpinning behaviour, and the function and evolution of natural behaviour. Lectures examine the natural behaviour of diverse animal species, from insects to humans, using instructive examples to illustrate evolution, navigation, foraging, predator–prey interactions, mating systems, mate choice, conflict, communication, and social behaviour. The course also covers theoretical and empirical aspects of animal signalling, modes of communication, the sensory basis of communication, and the evolution of signalling. Practical work involves observing behaviour, hypothesis development, data collection, and analysis.
Date | Description |
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30/07/2018 | Hurdle requirements removed. |