BB503: Behaviour, environment and scientific writing (5 ECTS)

STADS: 4000301

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the spring semester.
Third quarter.

Teacher responsible
Email: onl@biology.sdu.dk

Additional teachers
ulrik@biology.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
None.

Course introduction
The course provides an overview of basic principles of animal behaviour in the wild, illustrated by case stories and introducing terminology of animal behaviour. This is combined with ecotoxicological issues, illustrated by the use of pesticides in Denmark and their potential harm to the environment, with special focus on the freshwater fauna. In parallel with the lectures, the students are trained in reading and writing scientific texts. They learn to recognise and characterise the language of scientific texts on animal behaviour and ecotoxicology and to develop their understanding of the structure, communication and function of such texts.

Qualifications:
The students will gain knowledge of scientific writing and learn to use this knowledge in relevant contexts, i.e. to be able to

- decode the linguistic form and function of scientific texts
- locate, retrieve and use information from the scientific literature on any biological phenomenon
- follow and evaluate a biological argumentation in a text
- express themselves with precision using relevant biological terms
- produce biological texts aimed at professionals as well as at laymen and to understand their different form

In addition, the students will gain insight into basic principles of animal behaviour and ecotoxicology and learn to use this insight in relevant contexts, such as being able to

- utilize central terminology of animal behaviour and ecotoxicology
- comprehend and express the main theses of animal behaviour

Expected learning outcome


Subject overview
The following topics are presented and discussed:
1. The structure, communication, and function of scientific writing with special emphasis on behavioural and ecotoxicological texts
2. Motor and sensory systems
3. Motivation in behaviour
4. Development of behavioural patterns
5. Evolution of behaviour
6. Function of behaviour
7. Communication and social organisation
8. Altered behaviour as a result of toxic substances
9. Quantification of behaviour and the use of behavioural change as a sensitive measure

Literature
There isn't any litterature for the course at the moment.

Syllabus
See syllabus.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
The students are required to participate in the course work, i.e. attendance (80%) as well as written contributions (80%). Individual multiple choice test on principles of behaviour and ecotoxicology. Reports from practicals, and text writing are collected in a portfolio, which has to be defended satisfactorily at an oral examination. Internal examiners; passed/failed. Re-examination after fourth quarter.

Date of exam
The ordinary exam takes place on March 23, 2006

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.

Lectures (14 h), laboratory practicals (8 h), practicals in text writing (24 h), and seminars (4 h). E-learn is used in this course.
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in Danish.

Remarks
None.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.