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Introduction to Animal Behaviour

Marc Naguib, James Savage, and Lysanne Snijders

Do you want to understand how and why animals behave the way they do, and how we test hypotheses about behaviour scientifically? This biology and life sciences course provides an introduction to the complexities of wild animal behaviour, and how it is studied.

Over six weeks, learners will explore the various behaviours animals adopt in order to meet the challenges of their daily lives. We begin with how animals learn and communicate with each other, then move on to discuss how they find food, avoid predators, choose their mates, and rear their offspring.

The MOOC Introduction to Animal Behaviour is aimed at anyone looking to broaden their understanding of animal behaviour beyond nature documentaries or a typical high school education. No previous knowledge is required, only curiosity and enthusiasm for the subject.

This course is taught by three top-researchers of Wageningen University & Research, a top-ranked university. Prof. Marc Naguib is professor and chair of the behavioural ecology group and shares his fascination for birds behaviour as they are incredibly mobile and have an amazing repertoire of behaviour. Dr. James Savage is currently a postdoctoral fellow at University College Cork, where he is studying the social behavior of birds across different habitats in a fragmented landscape. Dr. Lysanne Snijders shares her passion for social dynamics of animal populations.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Key concepts to understand animal behaviour
The fascinating range and complexity of behaviour in animals
How scientific hypotheses are developed and tested

How animals learn and communicate
Animals' reproductive behaviour
How animals function socially

Key concepts to understand animal behaviour
The fascinating range and complexity of behaviour in animals
How scientific hypotheses are developed and tested
How animals learn and communicate
Animals' reproductive behaviour
How animals function socially

Syllabus

Week 1: The science of animal behaviourAn introduction to key concepts for studying animal behaviour, including evolution, natural selection, anthropomorphism, and the scientific method.

Week 2: Learning, cognition and developmentHow animals learn to adjust their behaviour to their environment, and how they use their mental abilities to solve practical problems.

Week 3: CommunicationAn introduction to the various means animals use to send signals to each other, and how these signals are influenced by the environment and social context.

Week 4: Finding food and avoiding predatorsHow animals find and exploit food resources, and how they avoid becoming food themselves.

Week 5: Mating systems and parental careThe complexities of creating the next generation, from finding and competing for a mate to rearing offspring.

Week 6: Living in groupsThe costs and benefits of living with others, how complex social groups arise, and why some animals forego reproduction to help others breed.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores animal behavior from an evolutionary and scientific perspective, which is standard in the field of zoology

Develops key concepts and skills for understanding animal behavior, making it suitable for beginners

Taught by researchers from Wageningen University, which is recognized for its work in animal behavior

Covers a comprehensive range of topics within animal behavior, providing a broad foundation

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Reviews summary

Animal behavior: discovery and study

Learners say this course is well-structured, engaging, and taught by expert instructors. It provides practical knowledge and encourages thought-provoking discussions. Students review that the course is well-paced, enjoyable, and offers a comprehensive introduction to animal behavior.

The course is well-organized and easy to follow, making it accessible to learners of all levels.

"After having followed the course, you will be constantly asking yourself random questions upon seeing other animals"

"I absolutely loved this course structure and it has also helped me to get a clear perspective about this subject."

"This course is well-organized, explained and engaging."

The course encourages learners to think critically about animal behavior and question their own understanding, fostering a deeper engagement with the subject matter.

"If you are interested in learning about specific animal behaviour, you might be better off studying the topic you have in mind."

"Once I chose this course, to find out it was based from a university in the Netherlands since that is the origin of both my parents."

"It gave me valuable insight into animal behaviour and also made me take a hard look at human behaviour."

The course not only covers theoretical concepts but also provides practical knowledge and assignments that help learners apply their understanding.

"I am loving the Introduction to animal behavior course as it gives me so much insight into the animal kingdom."

"There are some interesting discussions added, and assignments are fun and forums interesting."

"The assignments were also great as they allowed me to interact with other students on the discussion forum."

The course features a variety of engaging content, such as videos, animations, and interviews, which makes learning about animal behavior enjoyable.

"The videos are clearly presented and relevant, without an overload of information, and interviews with other researchers help enable a bigger picture understanding of the topic as a whole.."

"Videos and texts of the course help a lot to understand the topics, they are very clear and explanatory."

"Out of the three professors in the main lecture videos, Professor Marc Naguib was my favorite."

The course is taught by experienced researchers in the field of animal behavior, who provide valuable insights and share their expertise.

"This course was given by knowledgeable researchers in the field."

"My review about the Introduction to Animal Behaviour course is that this course was completely well done, with a lot of excellent content, videos and subtitles about all the lessons, the self-questions are a great way to know if we've learned with the course."

"The quality of the information presented and the ways it was presented were impressive."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Animal Behaviour with these activities:

Review key concepts and theories in animal behavior before starting the course

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Strengthen understanding of fundamental concepts to prepare for the course.

Browse courses on Animal Behavior

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Review notes or textbooks from previous courses or research.
Attend preparatory workshops or online courses.
Read articles or books on the subject to refresh knowledge.

Read Frans de Waal's "Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us About Ourselves"

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Build a grounded understanding of animal behavior and emotions.

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Read the book.
Take notes on key concepts.
Summarize the main arguments.
Discuss the book with others.

Watch documentaries on animal behavior by renowned experts

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Learn from experts and gain insights into real-world animal behaviors.

Browse courses on Animal Behavior

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Find documentaries on animal behavior.
Watch the documentaries and take notes.
Identify the key concepts and theories presented in the documentaries.
Discuss the documentaries with others.

Six other activities

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Volunteer at a local animal shelter or wildlife rehabilitation center

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Gain practical experience observing and interacting with animals.

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Identify a local animal shelter or wildlife rehabilitation center.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend orientation and training.
Contribute to the organization's mission.

Join a study group and discuss animal behavior theories

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Gain diverse perspectives and deepen understanding through collaborative discussions.

Browse courses on Animal Behavior

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Join or form a peer group.
Choose a topic related to animal behavior.
Research different theories on the topic.
Discuss the theories in the group.

Create a mind map of animal behavior concepts

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Develop a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts and their interrelationships.

Browse courses on Animal Behavior

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Identify the main concepts covered in the course.
Create a visual representation of the concepts.
Connect the concepts with lines and arrows to show their relationships.
Add notes or examples to explain the concepts.

Practice identifying different types of animal behaviors

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Gain proficiency in identifying and interpreting different types of animal behaviors.

Browse courses on Animal Behavior

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Observe animals in various settings, such as zoos, parks, or nature documentaries.
Identify the different behaviors exhibited by the animals.
Research the different types of behaviors and their meanings.
Practice classifying the behaviors into different categories.

Attend industry events and conferences related to animal behavior

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Connect with professionals and learn about the latest advancements in the field.

Browse courses on Animal Behavior

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Identify industry events and conferences related to animal behavior.
Register for and attend the events.
Network with professionals in the field.
Learn about the latest research and advancements in animal behavior.

Design a research project to investigate a specific animal behavior

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Apply knowledge to design a research project and investigate real-world animal behaviors.

Browse courses on Animal Behavior

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Identify a specific animal behavior of interest.
Develop a research question and hypothesis.
Design a research method to test the hypothesis.
Collect and analyze data.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Animal Behaviour will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Zoologist

Zoologists study the biology of animals, including their behavior, anatomy, physiology, and evolution. They work in a variety of settings, including universities, museums, and zoos. This course may be useful for Zoologists because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals learn, communicate, find food, avoid predators, choose their mates, and rear their offspring. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

See salaries and explore the career path for Zoologist

Ethologist

Ethologists study the behavior of animals in their natural habitats. They observe and record animal behavior, and then analyze the data to learn about the animal's biology, ecology, and evolution. This course may be useful for Ethologists because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals learn, communicate, find food, avoid predators, choose their mates, and rear their offspring. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethologist

Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife Biologists study the biology, behavior, and conservation of wild animals. They work to understand the factors that affect wildlife populations, and develop management plans to protect and conserve wildlife. This course may be useful for Wildlife Biologists because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals learn, communicate, find food, avoid predators, choose their mates, and rear their offspring. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wildlife Biologist

Animal Behaviorist

Animal Behaviorists study the behavior of animals in their natural habitats. They observe and record animal behavior, and then analyze the data to learn about the animal's biology, ecology, and evolution. This course may be useful for Animal Behaviorists because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals learn, communicate, find food, avoid predators, choose their mates, and rear their offspring. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Behaviorist

Animal Trainer

Animal Trainers work with animals to teach them specific behaviors. They use a variety of techniques, including positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and shaping. This course may be useful for Animal Trainers because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals learn, communicate, and respond to different stimuli. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

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Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries in animals. They also provide preventive care, such as vaccinations and spaying and neutering. This course may be useful for Veterinarians because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals respond to pain, fear, and stress. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

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Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist

Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialists care for sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals. They provide medical treatment, food, and shelter, and work to release the animals back into the wild when they are healthy. This course may be useful for Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialists because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals respond to different habitats and stressors. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist

Conservation Biologist

Conservation Biologists work to protect endangered and threatened species. They develop and implement conservation plans, and conduct research to learn more about the biology and ecology of these species. This course may be useful for Conservation Biologists because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals respond to different habitats and stressors. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Biologist

Animal Welfare Officer

Animal Welfare Officers investigate and enforce animal welfare laws. They also provide education and outreach to the public about animal welfare issues. This course may be useful for Animal Welfare Officers because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals respond to different environments and stressors. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Welfare Officer

Park Ranger

Park Rangers protect and manage national parks and other protected areas. They enforce park rules and regulations, and provide educational programs to the public. This course may be useful for Park Rangers because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals respond to different habitats and stressors. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

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Animal Scientist

Animal Scientists study the biology and behavior of animals. They work in a variety of settings, including universities, government agencies, and private industry. This course may be useful for Animal Scientists because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals learn, communicate, find food, avoid predators, choose their mates, and rear their offspring. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

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Animal Care Technician

Animal Care Technicians provide care for animals in a variety of settings, including animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and research facilities. They feed, groom, and clean the animals, and monitor their health. This course may be useful for Animal Care Technicians because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals respond to different environments and stressors. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animal Care Technician

Dog Trainer

Dog Trainers teach dogs specific behaviors. They use a variety of techniques, including positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and shaping. This course may be useful for Dog Trainers because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals learn, communicate, and respond to different stimuli. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

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Pet Groomer

Pet Groomers bathe, brush, and trim the fur of pets. They also clean their ears and trim their nails. This course may be useful for Pet Groomers because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals respond to different stimuli. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

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Pet Sitter

Pet Sitters provide care for pets in the owner's absence. They feed, groom, and walk the pets, and play with them. This course may be useful for Pet Sitters because it provides an introduction to the key concepts of animal behavior, including how animals respond to different environments and stressors. The course also provides an overview of the scientific methods used to study animal behavior.

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Reading list

We've selected 43 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Animal Behaviour.

Animal Behavior

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of animal behavior, covering topics such as communication, learning, and social behavior. It well-written and accessible textbook that is commonly used in introductory animal behavior courses.

Introduction to Animal Behaviour

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Animal behavior: discovery and study

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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