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 three (possibly four) students select a model species present in the zoo, 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 or focal methods). Therefore, students obtain activity budgets and/or social interaction matrices 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/or focal.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Students following this practical need to have followed lectures in ethology and/or ethometry.
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, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
The participation to the practical is mandatory (3-4 days), in principle in Koln (in September in 2022). The preparation of the bibliography and the reports are done separately.
Recommended or required readings
Informations are provided on ecampus
Written work / report
Additional information:
The evaluation is based on a written report and the participation in the practical. Depending on the number of registered students or the sanitary conditions, the practical in the zoo might be replaced by another approach. Detailed instructions for preparing the report are available on ecampus.
Work placement(s)
The practical in the zoo is the core of this learning unit. It usually takes place in Cologne (Germany). See for updates due to the sanitary crisis in the French version.
Organizational remarks
The practical in the zoo of Cologne being hold at the start of the academic year (in late september in 2022), the inscriptions and participation to the payment of accomodations (sahred rooms) and meals need to be done via the procedure sent by email to Master 1 students and/or on demand to the teachers. A first set of reservations and payments will be done the year of the practical to make it possible.
A registration form is needed to be filled and given as early as possibly to supervisors along with a brief motivation letter after which a confirmation will be given to proceed to the payment to the university. A proof of payment needs to be sent to the supervirors upon pre-acceptance. Only students that have been accepted and have paid on time will be registered. For the practical in 2022, the first registrations are requested by March 15. Transportation will be by train (tickets provided). More information on the web site of the lab: https://www.leca.uliege.be/stage-cologne
See the French version of this page for potential covid restrictions (and the official websites in Germany and Belgium for travel restrictions; for instance online registration on these sites might become mandatory for travel purposes if the sanitary crisis starts again).
It is to be noted that the practical is proposed in Q1 of Bloc 2 in 2022-2023 but that it is likely to move to Q2 of Bloc 1 in 2023-2024, particularly in perspective to students interested by a future specializations in ethology in the following year. Modalities to register and pay will then be reviewed in 2023-2024.
Contacts
Prof. Mathieu Denoël, Laboratory of Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians. E-mail: Mathieu.Denoel[a]uliege.be
Dr. Fany Brotcorne, Primatology Research Group. E-mail: fbrotcorne[a]uliege.be