Animal Behaviour

University of Aberdeen

Our programme focuses on the full range of human-animal relationships, wild animal behaviour alongside opportunities to explore companion, domestic and captive exotic animals. Animal Behaviour is an interdisciplinary degree and field of science that examines the interactions between behaviour and biology. An organism’s evolutionary history and current environmental conditions drive behaviour, and feedback from behavioural decisions in turn drives evolutionary processes. Our Animal Behaviour degree differs from our Zoology degree in that it includes courses from Psychology in the first two years.This is a unique programme offering study in the fields of biology and psychology – understand behaviour from all angles: evolution, development, mechanisms and adaptive significance. Links with the Edinburgh Zoo provide an unrivalled opportunity to directly interact with a diverse range of animal species.

Typically, one third of your class time is practical and many courses include full-day practical classes and field visits. Most students take at least one residential field trip during their degree these trips bring the subjects to life and provide the opportunity to make great friendships and get to know staff members.

You are actively involved in scientific research throughout your degree. In Year 4, you conduct independent research which can be pivotal to your career choice whether it be in dolphins, water voles, rare plants, tropical forest ecology, climate change in the Arctic, or any one of a diverse range of other exciting topics!

Our teaching methods are diverse, innovative and based on research on how students learn. For example, we use problem-based learning approaches, creative presentations, peer and self-assessment, presenting posters in public meetings, writing and editing wikis, writing grant proposals, science writing for publication, and the creation of portfolios using multi-media.

You can take advantage of an optional year-out on a work placement and study abroad is encouraged for students in their 2nd year. We invite employers and volunteering organisations to come and meet our students at our career evenings and there are opportunities for students to work with our partner institutions within and outside of Aberdeen.