BIOS2000 – Animal Behaviour

The course provides a thorough introduction of the range of behaviours found in animals, and of scientific methods used to study animal behaviour in the field and in the lab.

Animal behaviour integrates knowledge from a range of fields, including ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, and psychology. The course is useful for anyone wishing to broaden their background within these fields, such as students in biology, medicine, psychology, and anthropology (please read "Admission to the course"). The subject is also popular for teaching in school.

After completing the course, students should

• Have knowledge of the main genetic, physiological, and developmental mechanisms underpinning individual behaviour.
• Be able to describe the main historical developments leading to the current state of the field of animal behaviour, including the role of the nature-nurture debate.
• Be able to describe central evolutionary theories used to explain animal behaviour.
• Be able to describe and explain main concepts and theories, such as proximate and ultimate explanations, fitness, altruism, optimality, and game theory.
• Have acquired skills in critical reading of scientific literature and be able to design experiments to study animal behaviour.
• Have acquired skills to make an ethogram from observing animal behaviour.

In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:

• Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2)

And in addition one of these:

• Mathematics R2
• Physics (1+2)
• Chemistry (1+2)
• Biology (1+2)
• Information technology (1+2)
• Geosciences (1+2)
• Technology and theories of research (1+2)

Mathematics R2 was a requirement up until and including the study year 2021/2022, as part of a trial arrangement. From and including the study year 2022/2023, Mathematics R2 is no longer a requirement.

The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).

The teaching consists of:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Reports (hand-ins) (mandatory)

The course is based on lectures covering central topics, and seminars providing practical exercises and in-depth discussions. Seminars are not mandatory, but recommended.

Mandatory reports (hand-ins) must be approved to sit the exam. Approved mandatory activities is valid for 3 years.

Attendance is mandatory for the first lecture. This also applies for those on the waiting list. You will lose your seat on the course if notice is not given to the student administration studieinfo@ibv.uio.no prior to the first lecture.

Access to teaching: A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

• Final written exam which counts 75% towards the final grade.
• Written course work which counts 25% towards the final grade.

This course has mandatory exercises that must be approved before you can sit the final exam.

Students who attended the course between 2023 and 2024 can follow the earlier examination arrangement and earlier examination arrangement will be offered up to and including 2026. Students who attend the course from 2025 onwards must follow the new arrangement.

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.