Duration
10h Pr, 4d FW
Number of credits
| Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS) | 3 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The aim of this stage is to learn and test varied methodologies to record animal behaviour. Groups of two or usually three students select a model species present in the zoo (primates or others), determine and define the list of exhibited behavioural patterns, learn to recognize each studied individuals and finally quantify behavioural acts through standardized observations and recordings (scan and focal methods). Therefore, students obtain activity budgets and/or social interaction matrices and can compare several methods but also test for an eventual effect of the observers. After the stage itself, the students integrate their data and compare them to the relevant literature. Therefore, this practical allows students to cope with varied aspects of scientific research and more specifically in Ethology.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
This formation aims to acquire the methodology to identify and quantify individual and social behaviours. It will allow to apply the theoretical aspects in ethometry and ethology in a situation that makes it possible easily behavioural observation s (i.e. in zoos). The approaches will encompass varied data sampling such as ad libitum, scan and focal.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Students following this practical need to have followed theoretical lectures in ethometry and ethology. This can be done the same year.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Learning proceeds by successive practical steps: bibliographic search on behavioural patterns of the study species, preliminary observations of behaviours, classment of the observed behaviours and preparation of the grids of observation, quantitative analyses of behaviours and methodologies, and preparation of a report.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
The participation to the practical is mandatory (3-4 days), generally in Koln. The preparation of the bibliography and the reports are done separately.
Recommended or required readings
Informations are provided on ecampus
Assessment methods and criteria
The evaluation is based on a written report and the participation in the practical. Depending on the number of registered students, the practical in the zool might be replaced by another practical approach.
Work placement(s)
The practical in the zoo is the core of this learning unit. It usually takes place in Cologne (Germany)
Organizational remarks
The stage in the zoo of Cologne being hold in October, the inscriptions and payment of accomodations and meals need to be done via via the procedure explained during the welcome day, by email or via our secretariat (Valérie Beaupain, 04-3665081,valerie.beaupain@ulg.ac.be). Late inscriptions may not benefit from good fares of hostels. Transportation is not provided. More information during the first lectures and on the web site of etho lab: http://www.labos.ulg.ac.be/etho/en/denoel/practicals
Contacts
Prof. Mathieu Denoël, Laboratory of Fish and amphibian Ethology, Institute of Zoology, Quai van Beneden 22, 4020 Liege. E-mail: Mathieu.Denoel[a]uliege.be
Dr. Fany Brotcorne, Primatology Research Group, Institute of Zoology, Quai van Beneden 22, 4020 Liege. E-mail: fbrotcorne@uliege.be