GAW3020 - Biology and ethology

Leader: Dr Pauleen Bennett

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2007 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit provides an overview of the evolution of animals in terms of their physiology and behaviour. It covers systems which regulate an animal's body and brain, limits to which an animal can and will adapt to various stimuli, the concept of stress and the definition of pain. In addition, it covers human-animal interactions and how animals respond to stress in terms of their health and general wellbeing. These concepts will be presented so that students fully appreciate the importance of animal physiology, behaviour and human-animal interactions in relation to identifying and addressing animal ethics and welfare issues.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit students will:

1. In terms of pain and stress responses, feeding confinement, health care, general well-being, mating and rearing strategies:
1. understand basic animal physiology;
2. understand basic animal behaviour;
3. understand human-animal interactions; and

2. understand and appreciate the importance of animal physiology, behaviour and human-animal interaction in terms of addressing ethical and welfare issues.

Assessment

Email discussion (30%)
Workbook (40%)
Exam (30%).