ID:
502345
Duration (hours):
52
CFU:
6
SSD:
ZOOLOGIA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (01/10/2025 - 16/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
At the end of the course the student will have to know the main aspects of animal behaviour and understand the proximate and remote causes of behaviour. In addition, the student must be able to apply the knowledge obtained to studies of ethological and eco-ethological type, being also able to set and plan simple ethological research on some species. The student must also be able to analyze, evaluate and explain animal behaviour by identifying hereditary aspects and the influence of the environment. Finally, at the end of the course the student will acquire the ability to communicate and explain in detail the topics covered in class using an appropriate language.
Course Prerequisites
The course is part of the basic training and preparation of students of the three-year degree in Science and Technology for Nature, in particular as regards the zoological part. Therefore, it is necessary for students to have attended and acquired the following knowledge for the following subjects:
- Animal biology: macromolecules, cell structure and functions, meiosis and mitosis, reproductive systems, morphological and functional structures and systems of animals, natural selection, speciation, adaptations
- Systematic Zoology: rules of nomenclature, taxonomy, methods of classification, taxonomic groups (Invertebrates and Vertebrates)
- Genetics and Human Biology: molecular basis of heredity, genetic variability,
- Ecology: biosphere and ecosystem, food chains and trophic levels, concepts of habitat and ecological niche, biotic interactions, biodiversity
- General physiology: metabolism, respiration and cell communication
- Animal biology: macromolecules, cell structure and functions, meiosis and mitosis, reproductive systems, morphological and functional structures and systems of animals, natural selection, speciation, adaptations
- Systematic Zoology: rules of nomenclature, taxonomy, methods of classification, taxonomic groups (Invertebrates and Vertebrates)
- Genetics and Human Biology: molecular basis of heredity, genetic variability,
- Ecology: biosphere and ecosystem, food chains and trophic levels, concepts of habitat and ecological niche, biotic interactions, biodiversity
- General physiology: metabolism, respiration and cell communication
Teaching Methods
The course is mainly based on lectures held by the lecturer. The lessons on the different topics will consist of a theoretical part, accompanied by examples taken from recent literature, and a more practical and applicative part, in which various case studies will be proposed to complement and deepen the theoretical part. Students will also be asked to write short in-depth reports on specific topics to be carried out in small groups according to the number of students enrolled. Seminars will also be held by external teachers on specific topics. Practical classroom exercises are planned. Power Point presentations are used to carry out the frontal lessons, made available to students in the section dedicated to teaching on the KIRO moodle platform. Also on the KIRO platform will be available to students who wish to delve into scientific articles on the most recent research on ethological topics Inclusive teaching: for students who cannot follow the teaching activities in person (i.e. those who certify that they are in one of the conditions envisaged by the University) the teacher guarantees the availability of at least two hours of online office hours per week during the period of the lessons to explain and clarify the topics covered in lessons and during exercises
Assessment Methods
The learning level will be verified through a written exam, consisting of 8 open and cross-questions, but with a justification for the choice made. Students are required to be able to frame and explain completely the topics covered by the exam questions. The evaluation will also take into account the student's active participation in the practical exercises carried out during the course
Texts
In addition to studying the educational material provided on the KIRO platform, students are encouraged to use one of the following texts:
Etologia. Un approccio evolutivo. D.R. Rubenstein e J. Alckok. Ed. Zanichelli (4th Italian edition); Animal Behaviour, concepts, methods, and applications. S.E. Nordell e T.J. Valone. Ed. Oxford University Press (2nd edition); Etologia. Lo studio del comportamento animale. Bogliani et al. UTET Università , 2022
Etologia. Un approccio evolutivo. D.R. Rubenstein e J. Alckok. Ed. Zanichelli (4th Italian edition); Animal Behaviour, concepts, methods, and applications. S.E. Nordell e T.J. Valone. Ed. Oxford University Press (2nd edition); Etologia. Lo studio del comportamento animale. Bogliani et al. UTET Università , 2022
Contents
1. Definitions and fundamental concepts of Ethology 2. History of Ethology 3. Orientation and migration 4. Natural selection and evolution of behaviour 5. Genetic bases and development of behaviour 6. Learning 7. Reproductive behaviour and mating systems 8. Parental care 9. Principles of communication 10. Predator-prey relationships 11. Foraging behaviour 12. Social behaviour and group life 13. Habitat selection, territoriality and aggression 14. Personality and cognitive aspects in animals
Course Language
Italian
Degrees
Degrees
NATURAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
No Results Found
People
People
No Results Found