Ethology

Paper Code: 
ZOL-614
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
Course Objectives:  
This course will enable the students to - 
1. Describe Concepts and patterns of Ethology. 
2. Understand the correlation between Mammalian Nervous system and behavior. 
3. Assess Methods of studying brain and behavior. 
4. Explore the Social organization of different animals. 
5. Describe various types of communication used among animal. 
6. Be acquainted with Migration and Orientation in birds and fishes and even in small  invertebrates too. 
7. Aware of various Reproductive behavior patterns among animals. 
8. Investigate Biological rhythms and types of Learning and memory. 
 
Course Outcomes (COs):  
 

Course 

Learning outcomes 

(at course level)

Learning and  

teaching strategies

Assessment  Strategies 

Paper  

Code

Paper  

Title

ZOL 614 

Ethology 

Students will  

CO 117: Design experiments based on  Concepts and patterns of Ethology 

CO 118: Relate between Mammalian  Nervous system and Methods of studying  the brain and behaviour  

CO 119: Value the Social organization of  different animals 

CO 120: Describe various types of  communication used among animal,  Migration and Orientation in birds and  fishes and even in small invertebrates too. 

CO 121: Critically analyse various  Reproductive behavior patterns among  animal, Biological rhythms

The approach in  teaching: 

Interactive Lectures,  Discussion, Tutorials,  Reading assignments,  Demonstration,  

PowerPoint  

presentations,  

Explanation by videos 

Learning activities  for the students: 

Self learning  assignments, Effective  questions, Simulation,  Seminar presentation,  Giving tasks, 

Class test  

Semester end  examinations, 

Quiz,  

Assignments,  Presentation 

Surprise test 

Open book test

 

9.00
Unit I: 
UNIT I:
● Introduction of Ethology:
● Objectives of Ethology 
● Diversity of animal behaviour
● Historical perspective 
● Concepts of Ethology 
● Fixed Action Pattern 
● ASE 
● Sign Stimulus 
● Innate Releasing Mechanism 
● Flush Toilet Model 
9.00
Unit II: 
UNIT II:
● Mammalian Nervous system and behaviour 
● Methods of studying brain and behaviour 
● Neuroanatomical. 
● Neurochemical 
● Neurophysiological. 
● Human Brain and behavior
9.00
Unit III: 
UNIT III:
● Social organization 
● Dominance hierarchies and Territoriality 
● Animal communication 
● Dance language of Honey bee 
● Chemical 
● Visual 
● Light 
● Audio 
 
 
9.00
Unit IV: 
UNIT IV:
● Migration: Fish ,Birds 
● Orientation: Taxes and Kinesis 
● Reproductive behaviour patterns: 
● Courtship and Mating 
● Stickleback behaviour 
● Parental care 
● Biological rhythms 
● Circadian and annual rhythms 
9.00
Unit V: 
UNIT V:
● Learning and memory 
● Conditioning 
● Habituation 
● Trial and error 
● Imprinting 
● Insight learning 
● Association learning 
● Reasoning 
 
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. 
 
References: 
SUGGESTED READINGS:
●TextBook of Medical Physiology; Guyton A.C 
● 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-RESOURCES:
 
e-Journal 
 
Academic Year: 
2022-2023
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