Universität Wien

300188 UE Behavioral Ecology (2024W)

at the Konrad Lorenz Forschungsstelle in Gruenau

10.00 ECTS (6.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Continuous assessment of course work

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).

Details

max. 12 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes

KLF (https://klf.univie.ac.at/): 3-21 Feb 2024

You will stay at the KLF in Grünau im Almtal where we provide a share bunk-bedroom, share kitchen, and amenities incl. washer and dryer.


Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In a three-week practicum (alone or in a team up to 4) a behavioural biology project is done– usually with greylag geese, northern bald ibis, corvids, or songbirds for example at winter feeders. Sometimes students select a species or set of species from the Cumberland Gamepark. After an initial ethogram (2 days), data taking takes approx 10d, then follows data analysis and preparing the communication of your results via a conference-style ppt and poster or report (to be deterimed per project). Topics are in the area of behavioural biology and social organization and will vary depending on time of year and based on suggestions by the supervisory team.

Assessment and permitted materials

Daily discussions and regular meetings to monitor work progress and, in particular, to discuss the theoretical background of the study, final data presentation and reporting.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Over the course of the practicum, you will plan a research project, collect data, analyse the data and prepare a final report in ppt and poster format. This will be done independently and with evidence for independent thinking and questioning. Throughout this process, approaches and methods in behavioural and/or cognitive biology will be trained and you will gain first-hand insights into the nature of scientific research.

Examination topics

Ethogram, quantitative behaviour coding, diverse methods of data collection; relevant literature citation; use of different software (excel, SPSS, etc.); evidence of scientific writing

Reading list

Text books in behavioural ecology (e.g. Krebs & Davis, Alcock); relevant peer-reviewed publications will be made available to you from archives and/or reference material at the Konrad Lorenz Research Center during the three-week practicum.

Association in the course directory

MVN W-1, CoBeNe W1

Last modified: Su 06.10.2024 08:06