Behavioural Ecology

The course deals with behaviour involving the the interaction of genes, the environment, and ontogeny from an evolutionary perspective. In a series of lectures, the basic concepts are defined and theories and methods are introduced and illustrated with examples from individuals' different life stages. Lectures also cover how genes and the environment together control individual behaviour and how evolution forms the behavioural patterns of populations. All aspects treated are then problematised in seminars and specific cases are studied indepth, exemplified by various organism groups and ecological situations. Students also present, summarise, and critique research articles and other texts orally in seminars. In a group assignment, students demonstrate their ability to use concepts, theories, and methods in a collaborative written and oral presentation. This assignment consists of a laboratory study and/or a literature study.