Animal Behaviour
Animal Behaviour is the study of behaviour patterns in animals (including humans), and of how the behaviour of individuals helps to determine the density and distribution of populations.
Graduates in Animal Behaviour will be able to use both biological and psychological approaches to address issues in the fields of animal conservation, wildlife management, animal welfare and the fundamental study of behaviour. They will find employment in the behavioural sciences at local, national and international levels in the agricultural, conservation and animal management industries.
Career Opportunities
- Animal Welfare Officer
- Conservation Officer
- Research Assistant
- Science Writer
- Technician
- Zoo Curator or Assistant
RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
School subjects required
As well as biology, students may find mathematics or statistics useful.
PLANNING YOUR DEGREE
Animal Behaviour is available as an interdisciplinary major jointly taught between the Department of Biological Sciences and the School of Psychology.
To complete a major in Animal Behaviour, students must complete 120 points above 100 Level, including 60 points at 300 Level, from compulsory papers.
Please note that the paper PSYC307 Research Methods is a prerequisite for many Psychology graduate papers.
Year 1
100 Level – Papers are worth 15 points.
Recommended Prerequisites
» BIOL102 – The Biology of Organisms
» PSYC103 – General and Experimental Psychology
Students are strongly advised to include the following paper
» BIOL101 – Cellular and Molecular Biology
Highly recommended papers
» CHEM101 – Chemical Concepts» COMP123 – The Computing Experience
» ENVS101 – Environmental Science
» MATH165 – General Mathematics
» PHIL103 – Critical Reasoning
» STAT121 – Introduction to Statistical Methods or STAT111 – Statistics for Science
Year 2
200 Level – Papers are worth 20 points.
Compulsory papers
» BIOL234 – Functional Animal Biology
» PSYC206– Animal Behaviour: Principles and Applications
» PSYC225 – Behavioural Psychology and Learning (10 points)
Choose one of:
» PSYC226 –The Psychology of Perception (10 points)
» PSYC227 – Physiological Psychology (10 points)
Highly recommended papers
» BIOL201 – Evolution and Diversity of Life*
» BIOL210 – Introduction to Genetics
» BIOL212 – Ecology
» BIOL235 – Humans and Other Mammals: Structure and Function
» PHIL217 – Environmental Ethics
» PSYC208 – Psychological Research: Analysis, Design and Measurement
(prerequisite for students enrolling in PSYC307)
Year 3
300 Level – Papers are worth 20 points unless specified.
Compulsory papers
» BIOL333 – Advanced Animal Behaviour
» BIOL338 – Advanced Zoology*
» PSYC314 – Behaviour Analysis
Highly recommended papers
» PSYC307 – Research Methods
» PSYC340 – Applied Cognitive Psychology (10 points)
» PSYC341 – Visual Neuroscience and its Applications (10 points)
» PSYC344 – Physiology of Human Performance and Development (10 points)
» BIOL310 – Advanced Genetics
» BIOL312 – Applied Terrestrial Ecology
» BIOL313 – Applied Freshwater Ecology
» BIOL314 – Marine Biology and Monitoring
» BIOL335 – Mammalian Physiology
*Please note that BIOL201 is one of the prerequisites for BIOL338, and it is strongly recommended that you take this paper.
POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
As this is an interdisciplinary major taught between two departments, it is recommended that you contact the Dean's Office, Faculty of Science and Engineering as you enrol in your second year of studies for programme advise, if you are considering pursuing postgraduate study on completion of your bachelor degree. This is to ensure that you enrol in the required papers that would gain you entry into a Postgraduate qualification.
