300137 UE Social Complexity (2024S)

During the three-week field course, students will work in teams (max 4) on an independently-designed and executed project in the field of animal behavior, cognitive biology and/or behavioral ecology with a special focus on social complexity (e.g. pair bonds, group living). In principle, students can work on any species in the Game Park or any of our model systems (graylag geese, northern bald ibis, ravens that have been monitored for decades at the research center) if this is approved by the supervisory team. Approval depends on prevailing conditions (also in coordination with the Cumberland Gamepark), safety considerations, and access to see and observe animals (some animals are not available certain times of the year). Students begin with an ethogram (2 days) of their chosen study species, and develop a research question in consultation with the on-site supervisory team. Then, a 10-day data collection begins, followed by data analysis, report writing and oral presentation. Suitable topics vary by season.

Students can expect to be engaged in daily discussions with other team members and meetings with their supervisory team several times a week, mainly to clarify experimental design and theory.