BL4282 Biology and Behaviour of Social Insects

Academic year

2023 to 2024 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr D M Shuker

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr David Shuker

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will examine and compare the biology of the four main groups of social insects: termites, ants, wasps and bees. Sociality in other groups (aphids, beetles) will also be considered briefly. Topics will include the evolution of sociality, social organisation and social control systems, reproductive strategies, and diverse communication modes including pheromonal systems, acoustic systems, and 'bee dances'. Aspects of foraging behaviour and learning abilities will also be considered, particularly for ants (leaf cutter ants, army ants, slave-making ants) and for bees both eusocial and semi-social. There will be strong evolutionary, ecological and behavioural themes, and relevance also to conservation issues.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

PERMISSION OF BIOLOGY HONOURS ADVISER REQUIRED

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Resubmission of failed item(s) of Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 3-hour seminar (x 11 weeks).

Scheduled learning hours

33

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

117

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.