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300020 SE Seminar on current topics in behavioural biology (2026W)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Th 10.09.2026 14:00 to Th 24.09.2026 18:00
- Deregistration possible until Th 15.10.2026 18:00
Details
max. 20 participants
Language: German, English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
First Session: During our introductory session, we will form working groups and assign the research papers for the semester.
Conference-Style Seminar Day: The main seminar day is structured as an interactive scientific conference. All participants will play an active role in shaping the event by taking on various conference functions—ranging from session chairs and presenters to designated discussants.
- N Friday 23.10. 15:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum 1.7, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.010, Ebene 1
- Wednesday 02.12. 13:15 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.2, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.004, Ebene 1
- Wednesday 02.12. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 1.5, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.012, Ebene 1
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
This is a course with continuous assessment (prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung). The final grade is based on the cumulative evaluation of the following course components:
1. Seminar Presentation (Group Work / Pairs): (i) Preparation and structured oral presentation of assigned primary research papers (approx. 13-17 minutes per Person); (ii) Accuracy of scientific content, depth of understanding, and visual/didactic quality of the presentation slides; (iii) Moderation and facilitation of the subsequent discussion session (approx. 10 minutes)
2. Active Participation & Scientific Discussion: (i) Quality and frequency of oral contributions throughout the conference seminar day; (ii) Performance in specific conference roles assigned to participants (e.g., session chair, discussant); (iii) Demonstrated preparation based on reading the required abstracts for all topic blocks
3. Peer Feedback & Reflection: Constructive engagement in the feedback and reflection rounds following each presentation.Permitted aids / Allowed materials:
Students are allowed to use standard academic software, literature databases, presentation tools, and scientific resources for preparing their presentations and discussions.Specific guidelines regarding the use of AI-assisted tools (e.g., LLMs for literature summary or language translation) during course preparation will be provided on Moodle at the start of the semester.
1. Seminar Presentation (Group Work / Pairs): (i) Preparation and structured oral presentation of assigned primary research papers (approx. 13-17 minutes per Person); (ii) Accuracy of scientific content, depth of understanding, and visual/didactic quality of the presentation slides; (iii) Moderation and facilitation of the subsequent discussion session (approx. 10 minutes)
2. Active Participation & Scientific Discussion: (i) Quality and frequency of oral contributions throughout the conference seminar day; (ii) Performance in specific conference roles assigned to participants (e.g., session chair, discussant); (iii) Demonstrated preparation based on reading the required abstracts for all topic blocks
3. Peer Feedback & Reflection: Constructive engagement in the feedback and reflection rounds following each presentation.Permitted aids / Allowed materials:
Students are allowed to use standard academic software, literature databases, presentation tools, and scientific resources for preparing their presentations and discussions.Specific guidelines regarding the use of AI-assisted tools (e.g., LLMs for literature summary or language translation) during course preparation will be provided on Moodle at the start of the semester.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
To successfully pass this course with continuous assessment, students must meet all of the following mandatory criteria:
- Mandatory Attendance: Attendance at the introductory session (course setup & topic assignment).
- Attendance Threshold: Attendance of at least 90% of the total time on the conference seminar day.
- Seminar Presentation: Preparation and delivery of the group presentation on the assigned paper(s).
- Active Discussion Participation: Active participation in the discussion of at least two other topics/papers (including fulfilling assigned conference roles).Grading Scale & Assessment Criteria:
The final grade is calculated based on the following weighted components:
50% – Quality of the group presentation (content, scientific clarity, structure, and visual/oral delivery)
30% – Active discussion & fulfillment of conference roles (quality of questions, critical engagement, session chairing)
20% – Overall active engagement & constructive peer feedback across all sessionsGrading Scale:
90–100%: Excellent (1 / Sehr gut)
80–89%: Good (2 / Gut)
70–79%: Satisfactory (3 / Befriedigend)
60–69%: Sufficient (4 / Genügend)
0–59%: Unsatisfactory (5 / Nicht genügend)
- Mandatory Attendance: Attendance at the introductory session (course setup & topic assignment).
- Attendance Threshold: Attendance of at least 90% of the total time on the conference seminar day.
- Seminar Presentation: Preparation and delivery of the group presentation on the assigned paper(s).
- Active Discussion Participation: Active participation in the discussion of at least two other topics/papers (including fulfilling assigned conference roles).Grading Scale & Assessment Criteria:
The final grade is calculated based on the following weighted components:
50% – Quality of the group presentation (content, scientific clarity, structure, and visual/oral delivery)
30% – Active discussion & fulfillment of conference roles (quality of questions, critical engagement, session chairing)
20% – Overall active engagement & constructive peer feedback across all sessionsGrading Scale:
90–100%: Excellent (1 / Sehr gut)
80–89%: Good (2 / Gut)
70–79%: Satisfactory (3 / Befriedigend)
60–69%: Sufficient (4 / Genügend)
0–59%: Unsatisfactory (5 / Nicht genügend)
Examination topics
The course material encompasses the theoretical foundations and empirical findings of the behavioral biology topics covered during the seminar. Specifically, this includes:
- In-Depth Knowledge (Group Presentation): Comprehensive understanding of the assigned primary research papers and their theoretical context, including methodology, findings, and implications.
- General Understanding of All Seminar Topics: A foundational understanding of all scientific papers provided on Moodle (at least reading the abstracts) to ensure active participation in discussion rounds and conference roles.
- Methodological & Discursive Competence: Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and engage in constructive academic debate on topics in behavioral biology.
- In-Depth Knowledge (Group Presentation): Comprehensive understanding of the assigned primary research papers and their theoretical context, including methodology, findings, and implications.
- General Understanding of All Seminar Topics: A foundational understanding of all scientific papers provided on Moodle (at least reading the abstracts) to ensure active participation in discussion rounds and conference roles.
- Methodological & Discursive Competence: Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and engage in constructive academic debate on topics in behavioral biology.
Reading list
Primary Scientific Literature: Prior to the start of the course, a selection of current peer-reviewed research papers and review articles will be made available on Moodle for enrolled students to choose from.Background Reading: Additional reference material, including recommendations for standard behavioral biology textbooks and guides on critical literature analysis, will be provided on Moodle at the beginning of the semester.
Association in the course directory
MZO4, UF MA BU 01, UF MA BU 04, CoBeNe W3
Last modified: Su 09.08.2026 21:27
The objective of this course is to provide students with a fundamental and deep understanding of key concepts and current research questions in behavioral biology. Students will develop the skills to critically evaluate primary scientific literature, present research findings concisely, and engage in scientific debates from various perspectives.COURSE CONTENTS:
The seminar covers state-of-the-art topics and recent scientific publications in behavioral biology. Specific topics and reading materials will be announced on Moodle prior to the course.TEACHING and LEARNING METHODS:
The course is designed as an interactive literature seminar formatted as a scientific conference, requiring active participation from all students:
- Presentation: in teams, students prepare a topic based on primary literature (usually two papers) and deliver a presentation followed by a discussion.
- Active discussion and role play: participants actively engage in discussions by taking on specific conference roles (e.g., session chair/moderator, discussant).
- Preparation: reading at least the abstracts of all assigned papers to ensure a solid background for group discussions.
- Closings: Active contribution to the final feedback and reflection session.