BL5441 Animal Cognition
Academic year
2023 to 2024 Semester 1
Curricular information may be subject to change
Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.
Key module information
SCOTCAT credits
15
SCQF level
SCQF level 11
Availability restrictions
Not automatically available to General Degree students
Planned timetable
To be arranged.
Module coordinator
Prof S D Healy
Module Staff
Prof S Healy
Module description
In this module we will investigate the cognitive abilities of animals, with particular interest in understanding the adaptive value of those abilities. This means that although we will develop an understanding of animal cognition based on standard animal models (typically rats and pigeons), we will extend those principles to addressing cognitive abilities in 'real' animals behaving in the 'real' world. We will use Shettleworth's book, already the key animal cognition text, as our starting point with student-led seminars providing breadth by presenting examples from the recent burgeoning of literature on non-model animals. The result will be a stimulating opportunity to develop a critical understanding of how animals perceive their world, how their cognitive abilities are shaped by that world and how those abilities lead to reproductive success.
Assessment pattern
2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Presentation = 50%
Re-assessment
3-hour Written Examination = 100%
Learning and teaching methods and delivery
Weekly contact
2-hour seminar (x 10 weeks),
Scheduled learning hours
20
Guided independent study hours
132