SUBJECT

Title

Applied Ethology I

Type of instruction

lecture

Level

master

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Part of degree program

Biology MSc

Credits

Recommended in

Semesters 1-4

Typically offered in

Autumn/Spring semester

Course description

I. Introduction to Applied Ethology History and current issues. Advantages and disadvantages. Zoonosis: Infectious diseases transmitted from animals to humans or from humans to animals

II. Behavioural genetics, evolution and domestication Genetic ground of behaviour, Behavioural evolution, the process of domestication

III. Physiology, motivation and the organization of behaviour Mechanisms, motivations and need of animals living in captivity

IV. Learning and cognition Adaptation to an artificial environment, perception and cognition from the welfare's point of view.

V. Social and sexual behaviour Evolutionary and ecological approach

VI. Behavioural disorders, stress and welfare. Deviation from the ethologically expected 'tipical' behaviour.

VII. Behaviour of domesticated birds Evolutional history, ontogeny, feeding, sexual behaviour, raising offsprings, communication, social behaviour, welfare and behavioural disorders

VII. Behaviour of horses Evolutional history, ontogeny, feeding, sexual behaviour, raising offsprings, communication, social behaviour, welfare and behavioural disorders Companion animal or livestock? Therapy service

IX. Behaviour of cattle and pigs Evolutional history, ontogeny, feeding, sexual behaviour, raising offsprings, communication, social behaviour, welfare and behavioural disorders

X. Behaviour of sheep and goats Evolutional history, ontogeny, feeding, sexual behaviour, raising offsprings, communication, social behaviour, welfare and behavioural disorders

XI. Behaviour of rabbits and rodents Evolutional history, ontogeny, feeding, sexual behaviour, raising offsprings, communication, social behaviour, welfare and behavioural disorders

XII. Behaviour of cats Evolutional history, ontogeny, feeding, sexual behaviour, raising offsprings, communication, social behaviour, welfare and behavioural disorders

XIII. Behaviour of dogs Evolutional history, ontogeny, feeding, sexual behaviour, raising offsprings, communication, social behaviour, welfare and behavioural disorders Service dogs, zoonozis

Readings

Jensen, P. (ed.) The Ethology of Domestic Animals: An Introductory Text., CABI Publishing, 2002
Fraser A.F & Broom D.M. Farm Animal Behaviour and Welfare. CABI Publishing, 1997
Houpt K A. Domestic Animal Behaviour for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists. CABI Publishing, 1998
Serpell J. The domestic dog, its evolution, behaviour and interactions with people. Cambridge University Press, 1995