The Wageningen University makes available to you free online course termed as “Introduction to Animal Behaviour”. The course is aimed to explore the amazing range and complexity of wild animal behavior. You will discover how animals learn, communicate, find food, avoid predators, and interact socially.
Over six weeks, learners will explore the various behaviors animals adopt in order to meet the challenges of their daily lives, the course also cover mating systems and parental care. The course will start on 7 Feb 2017.
Course At A Glance
- Length: 6 weeks
- Effort: 4-6 hours per week
- Subject: Biology & Life Sciences
- Institution: Wageningen University
- Languages: English
- Price: Free
- Certificate Available: Yes
- Session: The course will start on 7 Feb 2017
Providers Details
- About University: Wageningen University is the only university in the Netherlands to focus specifically on the theme ‘healthy food and living environment’. They do so by working closely together with governments and the business community.
- Aim of University: The aim of the University to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. The world is changing radically. The world’s population is growing while the population of the western world is aging. The pressure on land use is increasing, thus giving less environmentally damaging forms of food producing more chance.
Requirements
No previous knowledge is required only curiosity and enthusiasm for the subject.
About This Course
- Benefits: This biology and life sciences course provides an introduction to the complexities of wild animal behavior, and how it is studied. The language of the course is English.
- Importance of the Subject in Today’s Scenario: Behavior provides a window into the animal’s world that, with careful observation and study, can tell us a great deal about what animals do when they are frightened, ill, or in pain, as well as what they prefer and dislike. The application of behavioral principles to the design of laboratory animal housing is an area that merits increased attention from laboratory animal scientists.
How to Join This Course
You should register yourself through the given link to join this free on-line course: https://courses.edx.org/register
Course Format
Week 1: The science of animal behaviour
An introduction to key concepts for studying animal behaviour, including evolution, natural selection, anthropomorphism, and the scientific method.
Week 2: Learning, cognition and development
How animals learn to adjust their behaviour to their environment, and how they use their mental abilities to solve practical problems.
Week 3: Communication
An 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 predators
How animals find and exploit food resources, and how they avoid becoming food themselves.
Week 5: Mating systems and parental care
The complexities of creating the next generation, from finding and competing for a mate to rearing offspring.
Week 6: Living in groups
The costs and benefits of living with others, how complex social groups arise, and why some animals forego reproduction to help others breed.
Why Take This Course
- Advantage of Course: The course will help you to know that 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.
- Certificate: You can pursue a verified Certificate to highlight the knowledge and skills you gain, add the certificate to your CV or resume, or post it directly on LinkedIn.
Learning Outcomes
After accomplishing the course you will learn
- 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
Instructors
- Marc Naguib: He is a Professor of Behavioural Ecology and chair of the Behavioural Ecology group at Wageningen University.
- James Savage: James is a postdoctoral researcher within the Behavioural Ecology group at Wageningen University.
- Lysanne Snijders: She received her PhD in 2016 from Wageningen University, and now works as postdoctoral researcher within the Behavioural Ecology group.
Suggested Reading
No previous knowledge or experience is required, just an interest in animal behavior.
You Might Also Be Interested In
You can also join Birds 101: Introduction to Pet Birds free online course.
Conclusion
- After completing the course you will access knowledge about animal behaviour beyond nature documentaries or a typical high school education. The course will provides you the knowledge that how animals learn to adjust their behavior to their environment.
- If you pay for the certificate then you can receive an instructor-signed certificate with the institution’s logo to verify your achievement and increase your job prospects.
Detailed Information
For more information about the course, you can check the given link:
https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-animal-behaviour-wageningenx-ab101x-0#!
