Behavior and Evolution

BIO2008

You get an introduction to central principles within behavioral biology and evolutionary theory, learn to interpret animal behavior patterns, and to understand how environmental factors affect species' adaptation to and survival in different ecosystems.

The subject should provide an understanding of how behavior has developed through evolution, and how this contributes to species diversity and adaptation. Through theoretical approaches, students will gain knowledge of basic principles in behavioral ecology and evolutionary theory. A thorough introduction to central behavioral ecology principles such as fitness, natural and sexual selection, instinct and learning, communication, group behavior and helping behavior is provided. Furthermore, an introduction to both micro- and macroevolution is given. Central here is an understanding of how the four forces of evolution, natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow and mutations create genetic changes in populations as the basis for evolution.

The subject is reserved for students of the following study programmes:

Nature Management, Bachelor's Programme

Other students can get admitted if there are places available. Contact student advisor.

BIO1009 Cell Biology or equivalent is recommended.

After completing the course, students are expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

have basic knowledge of behavior and evolution
have a good understanding of key concepts and methods within the field
show an understanding of evolution and natural selection as a foundation for behavioral phenomena
be able to analyze and interpret behavior patterns based on evolutionary theories

Skills

be able to apply and convey knowledge about behavior and evolution
master basic concepts within the subject area

General competence

be able to discuss key concepts and principles related to ethology and evolutionary theory
have the prerequisites for applying the knowledge in further studies

Paid semester fee and syllabus literature. It is also required that students have a laptop at their disposal.

Elective course

Lectures, problem solving and discussions in plenary.

The study programme is evaluated annually by the students through course evaluations and study programme evaluation. These evaluations are included as part of the university's quality assurance system.

Compound assessment

Work requirements - 1, Group work with associated follow-up work, approved / not approved. Must be approved before preparation for the written school exam.

Written school exam, 4 hours, counts for 100 % of the grade. Rating A-F.

Pen, ruler and up to 2 bilingual dictionaries.

Generating an answer using ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence and submitting it wholly or partially as one's own answer is considered cheating.

Overlap refers to a similarity between courses with the same content. Therefore, you will receive the following reduction in credits if you have taken the courses listed below:

BIO140 - Genetics, ethology and evolution - 6 credits

HUS1001 - Genetics and Evolution - 4 credits

Curriculum literature

Leganto

Course language

Norwegian

Credits

7.5

Study location

Steinkjer

Responsible faculty

Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture

Course coordinator

Information about the course coordinator for the selected semester is no longer available. Please contact the current course coordinator.