Duration
10h Pr, 4d FW
Number of credits
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The aim of the course is to learn different ethometric techniques so as to be able to use one of them to quantify behavioral observations. Each group, usually of three students (possibly four), chooses a model species present at the zoo, defines its behavioral repertoire, gets used to recognizing each animal individually and quantifies behaviors through standardized and repeated observations (scan or focal methods). In this way, he creates activity budgets and/or social interaction matrices. In addition, an "observer" test will be carried out using one of the two methods. Finally, each group integrates and discusses its observations in the light of the literature. In this way, the course enables participants to come to grips with various aspects common to all quantitative scientific research, and ethology in particular.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The aim of the course is to acquire the methodology needed to identify and quantify individual and social behaviors. It will enable the students to apply their theoretical knowledge of ethometry and ethology to a situation where they will be observing behavior (observations in a zoo). The techniques used will involve scanning and/or focal sampling.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Students following this practical need to have followed lectures in ethology and/or ethometry.
Students with residual credits from before their Master's level studies must contact the professors of this course to assess the possibilities for internship enrollment.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Learning proceeds by successive practical steps: bibliographic search on behavioural patterns of the study species, preliminary observations of behaviours, classment of the observed behaviours and preparation of the grids of observation, quantitative analyses of behaviours and methodologies, and preparation of a report.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
The participation to the practical is mandatory (3-4 days), in Koln, in Germany (planned for April 8-11, but dates still to be confirmed). The preparation of the bibliography, the analyses following the observations and the reports are done separately.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Documents are provided on ecampus. Specific bibliographical references for the model species selected are to be researched by students, for example via Google Scholar.
Written work / report
Further information:
The evaluation is based on a written report (10 to 12 pages, maximum 15) and participation in the internship.
The report, in English or French, will include a brief introduction (1 page), a detailed presentation of the observation methods and the group present in the enclosure studied, as well as a description of the reconstituted environment (with presentation of a plan), a "results" section, a discussion of the results in relation to the literature and a bibliographical list. Aspects relating to the behavioral description of the animals observed should be kept separate from those relating to the "observer" effect, both in the results and in the discussion. Graphs should be provided in the results section to highlight the quantitative nature of the observations made. The bibliography must be relevant to the subject and the model chosen. It must give a good overview of the state of knowledge in order to adequately develop the introduction and discussion. An appendix containing a copy of the observation grids and any other documents must be submitted with the report.
Detailed instructions for preparing the report are provided on ecampus. The report is due by May 7.
Work placement(s)
The practical in the zoo is the core of this learning unit. It usually takes place in Cologne (Germany).
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The internship at Cologne Zoo takes place in the second semester (currently scheduled for April 8-11, but dates are subject to change). For logistical reasons, registration is required before October 2. Late registrations up to October 15 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. A registration form is available on the ecampus webpage of the course (version 2025). It must be sent by email to the three supervisors in pdf format, with a brief description of the chosen course and details of any residual credits (number of courses and number of credits for each of them, as well as the corresponding master/block). Given the limited capacity on site, the internship could be a priority for students with few or no residual credits from block 0 or the bachelor's degree. Payment for overnight stays (in principle 3 on site in 2025; shared rooms), breakfasts, part of the evening meal, transport costs (train) will be due within a week of confirmation from the supervisors, to the university, with a copy of proof of payment sent to the supervisors immediately afterwards (last deadline of payment reception by the university in October). Only students who have received confirmation of acceptance and have paid on time will be registered for the internship. The three supervisors must be set as email recipients. All (final) reservations will be made in October to ensure availability (accommodation at the local hostel is limited). Preparation for the course also takes place during the year, prior to the practical part in Cologne.
Contacts
Prof. Mathieu Denoël, Laboratory of Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians.
Dr. Fany Brotcorne, Primatology Research Group.
Assstant: Margaux Vanhussel (margaux.vanhussel@uliege.be)