Enrolments for 2020 have closed.

View information for 2021 course intake.

This unit contains mature content and may not be suitable for some students. Any student under the age of 16 who would like to enrol in this unit must first complete a Parental Consent Form.

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Biological Basis of Behaviour

Undergraduate | MAQ-BIOX1320 | 2020

Previously MAQ-BIOX122

Course information for 2020 intake

View information for 2021 course intake

Venture into the animal kingdom. Track how genes and environment influence the function and evolution of animal behaviour. Study genetics. Sense how people and animals communicate. Reflect on human life today and the role of culture in evolution. 

Study method
100% online
Assessments
Subject may require attendance
Entry requirements
No ATAR needed,
No prior study
Duration
18 weeks

HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available

Biological Basis of Behaviour

About this subject

  • At the completion of this subject students will:

    1. Describe the basic functioning of the nervous system in animals, including the senses 
    2. Explain the principles of evolution by natural selection and sexual selection
    3. Outline basic concepts and principles of animal communication, sexual selection, human evolution, genetics, epigenetics, perception, learning, and the topics of animal behaviour presented in class
    4. Extract and relate key theoretical ideas concerning the special topics on the evolution of human behaviour
    5. Understand and present collected scientific data
    6. Extract key points from scientific papers and accurately communicate these to a general audience
    7. Comment critically on scientific papers with regard to life on our Planet today

Entry requirements

No entry requirements

Equivalent subjects

You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

  • MAQ-SCI140 (Not currently available)

  • MAQ-PSY140 (Not currently available)

  • MAQ-BIOX122-Biological Basis of Behaviour (no longer available)

Additional requirements

  • Other requirements -

    Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.

Study load

0.125 EFTSL
This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.

Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.

Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.

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What to study next?

Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses

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UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG

Bachelor of Arts

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