This is an Honours Pathway Course that is normally taken at the same time as BIOL3131, and deals with carrying out research on the behavioural ecology of free-living animals. Students will work in tutorial groups to develop hypotheses about behaviour that will be tested during a week-long field trip. Results are then presented in a poster at the course's conference; and in a report in the form of a scientific paper. The course emphasises the design and effective reporting of scientific research, and will expose students to all of the stages of carrying out and reporting original research.

Research topics have included: 

• Anti-predator behaviour in kangaroos, parrots and emus
• Foraging behaviour of antlions and bees
• Habitat segregation in birds
• Sex differences in plumage and vigilance
• Social structure of fairy-wrens
• Social foraging in seagulls
• Sex differences in foraging in oystercatchers
• Song and alarm calls in birds
• Schooling behaviour of fish

A quota may be placed on enrolments for this course.

Upon completion of the course, students will have developed knowledge and skills related to the practice of research. These will include:

Assessment will be based on:

• Individual written introduction to a research problem (15%; LO 1, 2, 5)
• Participation in the group's research effort (10%; LO 3, 4)
• Group poster presented at class 'Conference' (25%; LO 4, 5)
• Individual research paper based on the whole semester's project (50%; LO 1, 2, 5, 6)

A five-day field trip during the first semester break plus a 1-2 hour class meeting each week, plus weekly meeting with a project tutor, plus group meetings independent of tutors. Overall, about 60-65 hours of contact with teaching staff, plus group and individual time.

BIOL3131 must be taken concurrently. Those that have taken BIOL3131 in the previous year should contact the coordinator about enrolment.