Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
BIOL3101 Animal behaviour (6 credits) Academic Year 2026
Offering Department Biological Sciences Quota 30
Course Co-ordinator Prof S W Y Sin, Biological Sciences < sinyw@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof S W Y Sin,School of Biological Sciences)
Course Objectives The purpose of this course is to introduce students with the diversity in animal behaviour and the means of understanding animal behaviour. The course will teach students the underlying mechanism and function of behaviour, and how did a particular behaviour develop and evolve.
Course Contents & Topics Why do animal behaviours vary among individuals and species? How do environment and ecological interactions influence behaviours? What are the underlying genetic mechanism of a particular behaviour? In this course, students will learn to think within the ecological and evolutionary perspectives on animal behaviour. Topics include behavioral ecology; behavioral genetics; reproductive behaviour; mating system; parental care; communication; foraging; learning; migration and biological rhythms; evolutionary stable strategies; sexual selection; altruism; and sociality in vertebrates and invertebrates. We will discuss several classical studies that form the foundation of this field, as well as more recent research that have led to current understanding of animal behaviour. This course will give students a unique perspective on the natural world and our own species.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 learn and appreciate the mechanism, function, development, and evolution of animal behaviour
CLO 2 understand the complexity of interactions between natural and sexual selection and animal behaviour
CLO 3 appreciate current theories that form basis for modern understanding of animal behaviour
CLO 4 learn the scientific reasoning and methodology in the field of Animal Behaviour
CLO 5 think analytically, based upon ecological and evolutionary principles, to explain the behaviours observed in the natural world and our own specie
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in BIOL2306
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2026 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2026 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2026 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2026 Minor in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Minor in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Minor in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Minor in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Minor in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2026 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1 >
2026 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 >
2026 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1 >
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 >
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1 >
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 >
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1 >
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 >
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1 >
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 >
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y        1st sem    Examination Dec     
Offer in 2027 - 2028 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Evidence of a thorough grasp of the subject in a broader comparative perspective as demonstrated by background reading and excellent use of named examples and case studies. Evidence of independent critical thought with excellent use of a broad range of fundamental concepts to draw insightful and logical conclusions. Show eagerness to learn, great abilities of independent work, effective presentation skills with excellent analytical argumentation. Excellent or outstanding work relative to what is required at degree level.
B Evidence of a good grasp of the subject as demonstrated by some background reading and appropriate use of named examples and some case studies. Evidence of good critical thought, although not necessarily original. Good and very good (but not outstanding) abilities of independent work, effective presentation skills with good analytical and logical argumentation. Good general command of acquired knowledge to draw meaningful and logical conclusions. Work more than sufficient for what is required at degree level.
C Demonstrate an adequate, but not coherent and incomplete grasp of the subject, with limited background reading and limited use of named examples and case studies. Some abilities of logical critical thinking, but not insightful and/or independent; only partial abilities to use acquired knowledge and work independently to draw meaningful conclusions. Fair presentation skills, with mostly correct argumentation, but limited (or no) abilities to integrate broader concepts. Work sufficient for what is required for degree level.
D Demonstrate some grasp of the subject, but partial and limited to the most basic concepts, examples, and limited (or none) case studies. Insufficient evidence of background reading, limited abilities of critical independent thinking, and not particularly effective presentation skills with generally weak logical argumentation and restricted ability of drawing appropriate conclusions. Work barely meets what is required at degree level.
Fail No evidence of basic minimum knowledge and understanding of the subject. No evidence of background reading and no familiarity with any relevant examples and case studies. Inadequate evidence of coherent logical thought; ineffective presentation skills with poor argumentation and no abilities to draw meaningful conclusions. Work fails to reach degree level.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Laboratory Lab work, field trips, or debates/presentations 24.0
Lectures 24.0
Tutorials 6.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 13.0 1,2,3,4,5
Examination 40.0 1,2,3,4,5
Laboratory reports lab report 28%, lab attendance and performance 4% 32.0 1,2,3,4,5
Presentation Group presentation 15.0 1,2,3,4,5
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 D. R. Rubenstein & J. Alcock. Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach. Oxford University Press; 11th edition ; 2018.
N. B. Davies, J. R. Krebs & S. A. West. An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology. Wiley-Blackwell; 4th edition; 2012.
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information This course will be offered subject to a minimum enrollment number and availability of teachers.


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