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HV0186

Ethology and anthrozoology 2

The course deals with motivation, learning, cognition and behavioural ecology to shed light on problems that arise in different types of animal husbandry. The students also work with ethological methods that are discussed and compared with regard to advantages and disadvantages when observing different types of behaviours and issues. The course also deals with how evolution and domestication affect our communication with animals. The students analyse and process situations where pet owners experience problems with their animals. Students get to practice independently investigating and giving advice on behaviour and practice communicating with pet owners in different situations. The course contains shorter internships that the student is responsible for organising in consultation with the course leader.


The course includes basic group work according to PBL (Problem-Based Learning), practical elements, lectures, group seminars, as well as project work and many of these elements are compulsory.


Compulsory activities in, for example, exercises, project work and internships.


Within the course, the student practices the following generic competencies: written and oral communication, analysis, problem solving, ethics and critical approach.


Information from the course leader

Practical week - week 47
In this course, you are supposed to find a place do to some practical work (praktik in Swedish, Internship in English). It is completely up to you where you do this, but it should connect to the learning outcomes of this course (e.g. it should involve some kind of animal management). The practical period should preferably be a full work week (e.g. 5 days).

You are covered by the University insurance during this internship/this practical work, as well as during your trip to and from this place.

Best wishes Claes and Anna

Course evaluation

The course evaluation is now closed

HV0186-20099 - Course evaluation report

Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.

Additional course evaluations for HV0186

Academic year 2021/2022

Ethology and anthrozoology 2 (HV0186-20005)

2021-11-02 - 2022-01-16

Academic year 2020/2021

Ethology and anthrozoology 2 (HV0186-20033)

2020-11-02 - 2021-01-17

Syllabus and other information

Grading criteria

Grading criteria – Ethology and anthrozoology, HV0186, autumn of 2022

Criteria and grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Assignments covered by, e.g:
describe, discuss and use motivation theories, theories of learning and cognition as well as behavioural ecology to understand animal behaviour, The student discuss how the different aspects; motivation, learning, cognition and behavioural ecology relate to each other. The student values the different parts in the analysis and the references used. PBL, home exam, training of animals, thesis defence
use and compare different types of experimental design and observation methods in ethological and anthrozoological research The student compares the different methods, according advantages and disadvantages. The student argue for a specific method, and describe why it was most suitable. Ethological study, home exam, seminar
explain, discuss and assess scientific literature in ethology and anthrozoology PBL, seminars, supervision, home exam
discuss how human attitudes towards animals have consequences for both animals and humans The student discuss the relation between knowledge and attitudes Internship, seminars, ethics day
explain how to become a good communicator / educator towards animal owners and argue for how animal owners can improve communication with their animals Internship, home exam, authentic cases
independently investigate and convey scientifically based advice on behavioural problems and unwanted behaviour in animals orally and in writing PBL, home exam, internship, seminars, authentic cases

For grade 3 it is required that you fulfil grade 3 for all learning outcomes
For grade 4 it is also required that you fulfil requirements for all grade 4 where possible
For grade 5 it is also required that you fulfil requirements for all grade 5 where possible
The course is divided in 2 parts: Ethology and Anthrozoology (13,5hp) and Ethological methodology (1,5 hp)

Litterature list

No obligatory literature in the course

Comment: In this course, students will choose their own relevant literature in relation to the assignments.

Course facts

The course is offered as an independent course: Yes Tuition fee: Tuition fee only for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens: 38060 SEK Cycle: Bachelor’s level (G2F)
Subject: Animal Science Biology Animal science Biology
Course code: HV0186 Application code: SLU-20099 Location: Uppsala Distance course: No Language: English Responsible department: Department of Animal Envrionment and Health Pace: 100%