300703 PP Animal Acoustic Signals (2025S)

Communication is a crucial component of behavior. Essentially all social interactions are mediated by signals. Acoustic signals are particularly important to the majority of mammals and birds.
How do animals communicate and generate their signals, what information are they transmitting, and what function do these signals serve? These and other questions will be compiled as part of this practical course.
The practical part will take place at the Vienna Zoo. Here, there is the opportunity to work with elephants, wolves, lions, etc. We welcome project ideas and will assist you in achieving your objectives.
Bioacoustic combines biology and acoustics. At the end of the course, the following skills will have been acquired:
The ability to utilise the basic material required for any research in bioacoustics (digital recorder, microphones)
Basic knowledge of signal processing software (use of softwares such as PRAAT and Stx)
Knowledge of how to design a bioacoustic experiment (scientific question, literature search, experimental design, data collection, acoustic analysis). You will also write a scientific report.
In addition you will gain general knowledge on bioacoustics, both in basic and applied research (e.g. noise pollution, and how bioacoustics can be used to monitor welfare, populations and biodiversity).

We will begin with a few theoretical lectures, followed by a practical part (where you have an individual time management). However, there will be regular meetings with your supervisor.
A scheduled lecture with Dir. Dr. Hagenbeck is planned on May 7, 2025, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the Schönbrunn Zoo.