Animal behavior - Ethology

The aim of this course is to understand animal behavior in an integrative way, in the light of Tinbergen's four 'whys': from its ontogeny, its neurobiological causes to its evolution and its biological functions. In addition to historical, conceptual and methodological contributions, the students will be accompanied in order to apprehend the diversity of the features involved as well as the diversity of the approaches and the associated scientific questionings. This course will thus highlight, through different examples, the diversity of disciplines studying animal behavior: Neurosciences, Ethology, Behavioral Ecology and will help students to pursue their studies in the appropriate fields of Animal Physiology and Neurosciences/ Evolutionary Biology and Ecology/ Others....

Knowledge : Disciplinary skills

Mobilize the fundamental concepts of behavioral biology

Know the different currents of thought on the relationship between brain and behavior

To know the relations between genotype and phenotype (morpho-anatomy, behavior, interactions) and their evolution

Know the major neurobiological processes that guide the behavioral response

To know the interactions between species in communities and their role in the structure and dynamics of biodiversity

Know the concept of behavioral adaptation to environmental change

Knowledge of the major neurophysiological functions and their diversity, in interaction with the biotic or abiotic environment

Know the impact of stress and natural and anthropogenic disturbances on biodiversity (from the organism to the biosphere)

Know-how :

To know and know how to implement the different approaches and tools used in Neuroscience, Ethology, and Behavioral Ecology: observation, sampling, experimentation and statistical analysis      

Know the scientific vocabulary associated with the disciplines, understand a simple written or oral scientific documentary source, be able to understand a document for the general public in French or English (written, oral or video)

Know how to mobilize concepts and tools from different disciplines to analyze a document, an observation or the result of an experiment

Be able to develop a logical argument with a critical mind (limits, confrontation with the biblio, defense of a point of view)           

Know how to make an oral presentation and a scientific written report, using illustrations and a presentation adapted to the public concerned, with the help of adapted computer tools

Be able to propose a problem, propose and implement an observation approach, a sampling plan or an experimental approach, and analyze the resulting data, using computer tools for data entry, analysis and saving.

Use the different registers of written and oral expression of the French language with ease

Know how to be :

Know how to carry out a project within a group  

Know how to work independently, adapt to a new context and take relevant initiatives

Knowing how to position oneself in a group in order to implement the project, knowing how to listen and exchange

Respect the principles of ethics, deontology and environmental responsibility

Respect others and the materials and organizations the student is working on

L1 Majors