Studying Animal Behaviour at Canterbury
Animal Behaviour is the scientific study of the "how" and "why" of what animals do.
This can range from answering questions about how animals communicate and how neural mechanisms control behaviour, to questions about why animals are altruistic to family members, why some animals look after their offspring while others do not, or why species differ in their mating systems.
Humans have always been facinated by the behavour of animals. By studying animal behaviour through a scientific framework, we can understand
the reasons for the rich behavioural repertoire seen across the animal
kingdom and in the process perhaps learn something about our own sometimes
perplexing behaviour. Understanding the behaviour of animals in nature
also is becoming increasingly important in conservation biology programmes
to ensure that they survive and reproduce.
Career paths
Graduates who specialise in Behaviour generally also take courses in Ecology and Evolution. Some of our recent graduates have taken up careers such as:
- Monitoring endangered species like the Chatham Island taiko for the Department of Conservation
- Working on nature documentaries for the BBC
- Conducting research projects for Wool Research
- Biosecurity officer for the Department of Conservation in Wellington
- Researching behavioural means to control agricultural pest insects in Australia
- Conducting research on spider monkeys in Panama
- Teaching animal behaviour courses in Fiji
- Curator at the Canterbury Museum
Postgraduate
BSc (Hons) - Students complete a fourth year of study
comprising four 400-level papers and a research project.
PGDipSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers.
MSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers (part I), then proceed to a research project (part
II), written up as a thesis.
PhD - Students complete a 3-4 year research project written
up as a thesis. Entry is after successful completion of either BSc(Hons)
or an MSc.
Planning Your Degree
Below is a guide to help you select courses that will give you a well rounded degree in animal behaviour.
Year 1
Essential
BIOL
111 Cellular Biology & Biochemistry
BIOL
112 Ecology, Evolution & Conservation
BIOL
113 Diversity of Life
Recommended
CHEM 112 General Chemistry B*
MATH 101 Methods of Mathematics **
PSYC 105 Introductory Psychology
* Unless
you have 9 NCEA level 3 credits in chemistry
it is essential that you take a CHEM 114 before
CHEM 111 and CHEM 112.
** Note: Unless you have good NCEA level 3 credits
in maths, it is essential that you take a minimum
of 15 points in MATH (MATH101).
Optional
STAT 101 Statistics 1 *
* Biology majors are required to take BIOL
209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis (or
equivalent preparation e.g. STAT 201, PSYC206).
Entry to this course does not require STAT 101,
but if you haven’t done maths or stats at level
12 or 13, then think about doing STAT 101 in your
first year.
Year 2
Essential
BIOL
209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis
BIOL
272 Principles of Animal Behaviour
At least 30 points from:
BIOL
210 Vertebrate Biology
BIOL
211 Insect Biology
BIOL 212 Marine Biology
BIOL
231 Foundations in Molecular Biology
BIOL 250 Principles of Animal Physiology
BIOL
270 Ecology
BIOL
271 Evolution
BIOL
273 New Zealand Biodiversity and Biosecurity
Year 3
Essential
BIOL
309 Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists *
BIOL
373 Behavioural Ecology
At least 30 points from:
BIOL
355 Neurons, Hormones and Behaviour
BIOL
354 Animal Ecophysiology
BIOL
371 Evolutionary Ecology
BIOL
374 Marine Ecosystems
BIOL
375 Freshwater Ecosystems
BIOL 377 Global Change and Biosecurity
BIOL 378 Population Ecology and Conservation
BIOL
379 Sustaining Native Biodiversity in Primary Production Systems
* Students wishing to progress to 4th year in any Biology major are expected to have taken BIOL309.