Keele Badge

LSC-20062 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2021/22 Last Updated: 23 January 2022

LSC-20062 - Living Together: Behaviour, Co-operation and Conflict
Coordinator: Nawroz Kareem Room: 304 Tel: +44 1782 7 33671
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None


Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2021/22

Organisms in the wild do not live in isolation; rather they interact directly and indirectly with other organisms and the environment. This module will explore the diversity of behavioural interactions within and between species and examine how such relationships influence individuals¿ survival and reproductive success. We will investigate the behavioural, ecological and evolutionary aspects of sexual interactions, living in groups, exploitation and cooperation between different species, including symbioses and complex multi-partner interactions.
Student learning will be achieved through the investigation of theoretical concepts and case studies during lectures and lab- and field-based practicals. In addition to an unseen exam, the module will include two in-course assessment components. These will comprise a scientific report on field behavioural observations, to consolidate and assess student¿s practical skills, and the production of a series of short journalistic press releases which cover relevant topics. The latter is designed to develop student¿s essential science communication skills. The module content is fundamental to many disciplines, including behaviour, ecology, evolution, population and community biology, applied biology and conservation.
There are no prerequisite modules, but recommended modules include: LSC-10033 Ecology and the Environment and/or LSC-20055 Life at the Extremes. The module will also include useful background information for LSC-30043 Conservation Biology.

Aims
The aim is to enhance understanding and evaluation of the behavioural, ecological and evolutionary processes that underpin interactions within and between species.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe, assess and compare how organisms, both within and between species, interact with each other: 1,2
evaluate and discuss the effect of species interaction on the fitness of the organisms involved: 1,2
explain and evaluate behaviour in terms of ecological and evolutionary concepts: 1,2
observe, collect and analyse data on animal behaviour: 1,2
communicate research on interactions within and between species to specialist and non-specialist audiences: 1

Study hours

Lectures: 18 Hours
Practicals and Tutorials: 30 Hours
In course science report preparation: 20 Hours
In course journalistic press release preparation: 30 Hours (10 hours per piece)
Private study: 50 Hours
Exam: 2 Hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Individual Report weighted 40%
Practical Science Report with a lay summary
A 1500-word scientific report with a 200-word lay summary on behavioural observations undertaken during a field-based work.

2: Open Book Examination weighted 60%
Online open book exam
The paper will be released on KLE as a Word document at 9am on the morning of the exam. The exam will contain a choice of 3 out of 6 essay-based questions. Students should answer each question using Word, clearly labelling each question as they provide their answers. Work will be submitted to Turnitin no later than 5pm on the day of release. International students will be asked to notify the School if they need an extension due to different time zones. Although students have been given significant time to complete this exam script, we expect most students to spend no more than 1 h. Answers should be as accurate and concise as possible. For essay-based questions, typical answers would be in the range of 500-750 words per question. We recommend that students do not exceed 750 words per essay-based question as we will be assessing the quality of your answer, not the quantity.

Please note that for the 2021/22 Academic Year all programmes will be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there will be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 23 January 2022