ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

Paper Code: 
24DZOL615(A)
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
Course Objectives(Cos): 
1. Design experiments based on Ethology concepts.
2. Relate mammalian nervous system to brain and behavior studies.
3. Describe animal communication, migration, reproductive behavior, and biological rhythms.
 
Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcomes

(at course level)

Learning and  teaching 

strategies

Assessment Strategies

 Paper 

Code

Paper Title

 

 

 

24DZOL 615(A)

ANIMAL

BEHAVIOUR

THEORY

 

CO:169 Design experiments  based on Concepts and  patterns of Ethology

CO:170 Relate between 

Mammalian Nervous 

system and Methods of  studying the brain and  behaviour

CO:171 Value the Social 

organization of different  animals

CO:172 Describe various  types of communication  used among animals, Migration and Orientation  in birds and fishes and even in small  invertebrates too.

CO:173 Critically analyse  various Reproductive behaviour patterns among animal, Biological rhythms

CO:174 Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

The approach  in teaching: Discussion, 

Reading 

assignments, Demonstration, 

Learning activities for 

the students: Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, 

Simulation, Seminar 

presentation

Assessment 

Strategies

Class test, 

Semester end  examinations,  Quiz, Solving  problems in 

tutorials, 

Assignments, Presentation.

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Introduction
Introduction of Ethology Aims of Behavioural research 
Diversity of animal behaviour 
Historical perspective 
Concepts of Ethology 
Fixed Action Pattern 
ASE 
Sign Stimulus 
Innate Releasing Mechanism 
 
12.00
Unit II: 
Brain and behaviour
Mammalian Nervous system and behaviour Methods of studying brain and behaviour 
Neuroanatomical.
Neurochemical 
Neurophysiological. 
Brain and behavior 
 
12.00
Unit III: 
Animal communication
Social organization Dominance hierarchies and Territoriality 
Animal communication 
Dance language of Honey bee 
Communication: Chemical ,Visual. Light. Audio 
 
12.00
Unit IV: 
Reproductive behaviour patterns
Migration: Fish, Birds 
Orientation: Taxes and Kinesis 
Reproductive behaviour patterns: 
Courtship and Mating 
Stickleback behaviour 
Biological rhythms 
Circadian and annual rhythms 
 
12.00
Unit V: 
Learning and memory
Conditioning 
Habituation 
Insight learning 
 Association learning 
Reasoning 
Cognitive skills 
 
Essential Readings: 
ESSENTIAL READINGS: 
● Animal Behaviour; Mathur, R.; Rastogi Publications, Meerut Introduction to evolution;  Moody. 
● An introduction to behaviour; Manning, A & Dawkins, M. S.; Cambridge Low Price ∙ Edition. UK. 
 
SUGGESTED READINGS: 
● Animal Behaviour, David McFarland, Pitman Publishing Ltd, London, UK. ∙ Animal Behaviour, John Alcock, Sinauer Assoc. Inc. USA. 
● ∙ Genetics and Origin of Species. Dobzhansky, Th., F.J.Alaya, G.L.Stebbins and  J.M.Valentine. Surjeet Publication, Delhi. 
 
e-CONTENT: 
 
e-Journal 
 
Academic Year: 
2024-2025
  • Printer-friendly version
  • PDF version