This course provides an introduction to the evolutionary basis of animal behaviour, covering such topics as the relationship between genes and behaviour, communication, foraging, locomotion, mating behaviour, and the social interactions that contribute to the biological success of animals. Each of the major topics is outlined with respect to cost and benefits of different behaviours within particular ecological contexts and explicit examples are drawn from different animal taxa to illustrate the concepts. The course is expected to provide a foundation and context for other related disciplines in biology, especially physiology and ecology, and to illustrate how behaviours function to solve problems for animals.
Prerequisites
BIOL-1115 and BIOL-1116 or BIOL-1102 (prerequisite).
