AN BEHAV 3000RW - The Science of Enrichment and Animal Learning

Roseworthy Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course will introduce students to the principles of the science of behaviour known as learning theory and behaviour analysis. The philosophical system known as behaviourism that underlies this area of study will be explored, with a focus on the application of behavioural principles (applied behaviour analysis) to animal training, enrichment, and welfare practices and procedures. Students will learn techniques for utilizing the principles of behaviour (i.e., respondent and operant conditioning) for the management of animals, as well as the benefits of incorporating learning principles into animal training, environmental enrichment, and behaviour management practices. The course will cover the general field of learning theory as it is practiced across a variety of animal settings, as well as how behavioural principles are derived from basic research on the experimental analysis of behaviour (EAB) and incorporated with the natural history and ethological underpinnings of animal behaviour.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code AN BEHAV 3000RW
    Course The Science of Enrichment and Animal Learning
    Coordinating Unit School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Roseworthy Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 30 hrs per week for 2 weeks
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge ANIML SC 1016RW or ANIML SC 1018RW
    Restrictions Available to B.Sc (Animal Behaviour) students only
    Course Description This course will introduce students to the principles of the science of behaviour known as learning theory and behaviour analysis. The philosophical system known as behaviourism that underlies this area of study will be explored, with a focus on the application of behavioural principles (applied behaviour analysis) to animal training, enrichment, and welfare practices and procedures. Students will learn techniques for utilizing the principles of behaviour (i.e., respondent and operant conditioning) for the management of animals, as well as the benefits of incorporating learning principles into animal training, environmental enrichment, and behaviour management practices. The course will cover the general field of learning theory as it is practiced across a variety of animal settings, as well as how behavioural principles are derived from basic research on the experimental analysis of behaviour (EAB) and incorporated with the natural history and ethological underpinnings of animal behaviour.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Eduardo Fernandez

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Identify the ABC’s of behaviour and how this relates to understanding the immediate causes (function) of behaviour.
    2 Understand and apply the methodology used by the science of behaviour, with a focus on within-subject research methods.
    3 Design and implement strategies used for increasing and decreasing the occurrence of behaviour.
    4 Discuss how data and empirical evidence are used to evaluate the implementation of various behavioural practices.
    5 Discuss the broader ethical and societal implications for the use of behavioural principles in everyday life.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1 - 4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1, 3 - 5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1 - 5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1, 5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1 - 5
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course is structured with:

    • Your first week of course content delivered online during several weeks leading up to the face to face classes (April 17-21, 2023). You will also be able to start some of your assessment tasks during this time.
    • In the week of face-to-face classes  (April 17-21) there will be interactive workshops and practical classes to improve your practical skills and practice using the knowledge gained in the online content to solve authentic problems.
    This course has been designed to support you to achieve the course learning outcomes and develop broad skills that can be used in your academic and professional work.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The course requires *compulsory* attendance for the Face-to-Face (F2F) practical week (approx. 45 hours). In addition, there are approx. 100 hours of non-contact hours in the form of material listed below as well as preparation of that material. Students should expect to attend each day of the F2F practical week (April 17-21, 2023), as well as spending time preparing for the practical week by watching online lectures and taking online quizzes.

    The course is set up as the following, with 5 items each worth 20% of your grade:

    • Quizzes (Due April 16th, 2023)
      • 8 total, done online.
    • Assessment of the ABC of a specific behaviour (Due in class, April 19th, 2023)
      • Quiz taken during the F2F practical week.
    • Group assessment of individual behaviour plans (group project; Due April 21st, 2023)
      • Presentation given by the group at the end of the F2F practical week).
    • Written plan for changing a behaviour (Due May 5th, 2023)
      • Two individual case study reports done by each individual and submitted via Canvas.
    • Final exam (9 am - 12 pm, June 26th, 2023)
      • Final exam convering online lectures and course material during the F2F practical week.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Lecture topics:
    Introduction to Behaviour Analysis
    Basic Concepts in Basic and Applied Behaviour Analysis
    Defining and Measuring Behaviour
    Designing and Assessing Behaviour Measurement
    Within-Subject Design Methodology
    Construction and Interpretation of Graphs
    Planning ABA Research
    Contingencies of Behaviour – Positive and Negative Reinforcement
    Contingencies of Behaviour – Positive and Negative Punishment
    Schedules of Reinforcement
    Antecedent Variables – Stimulus Control and Motivating Operations
    Developing New Behaviour – Shaping
    Developing New Behaviour – Chaining and Imitation
    Decreasing Behaviour Without Punishment – Extinction
    Decreasing Behaviour Without Punishment – Differential Reinforcement
    Decreasing Behaviour Without Punishment – Antecedent Interventions
    Evaluation of Behavioural Interventions – Functional Assessment and Analysis
    Ethics of Behavioral Interventions

    Practical topics:
    Animal Training
    Behavior Management and Intervention
    Anecdotal and Empirical Evaluations of Interventions
    Animal Handling – Individuals and Species Focus
    Online Interviews with Organisations involved in Animal Training and Behaviour Management

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Hurdle
    Yes/No
    Learning Outcome Approximate timing of Assessment
    Online quizzes Formative and summative 20% No 1, 2, 4 End of each section/class
    Assessment of ABC of a specific behaviour Formative and summative

    20%

    No 1 - 3 During a section/class
    Written plan for changing a behaviour Formative and summative 20% No 1 - 3 End of each section/class
    Group assessment of individual behaviour plans Formative and summative 20% No 1, 4, 5 End of Week 1
    Written exam Summative 20% No 1, 4, 5 End of semester
    Assessment Detail
    Online quizzes – 20%
    Each quiz (10 total) will focus on the information delivered for each day/lecture. The majority of quizzes will be multiple-choice format.

    Assessment of the ABC of a specific behaviour – 20%
    During lectures, students will be presented with multiple examples of behaviours where they must adequately assess and state verbally the variables that occur before (antecedents) and after (consequences) of a behaviour. Students will be expected to describe the antecedent stimuli, behaviour(s), and potential consequences for each response in observable, operationally definable terms.

    Written plan for changing a behaviour – 20%
    At the end of each lecture, students will be presented with a target behaviour/set of behaviours (problematic for its occurrence or non-occurrence), and they will be expected to adequately describe each response and possible function of the response in terms of its antecedent, behaviour, and consequence (ABC), as well as devise a solution for deterring, eliminating, establishing, or replacing the behaviour (10 total, following each quiz; 250 words max).

    Group assessment of individual behaviour plans (group project) – 20%
    After Week 1, students will split into several groups (group sizes will be ~3-5 students) and be presented with the past individual target behaviours/sets of behaviours. The group will evaluate each individualized behaviour change plan in terms of its ethics and efficacy and present a group plan for each target behaviour/set of behaviours (10 min oral presentation per group)

    Written exam – 20%
    Final written exam delivered at the end of the semester. Final exams will cover all material learned over the semester, including ethical considerations of behaviour change plans, data collection for behaviour change plans, and time/energy/financial considerations/constraints for any behaviour change plan. (Format: 3 hours, MCQ (~50%), short answer (~25%), and essay/long answer questions (~25%).
    Submission
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted, then a penalty for late submission will apply.  A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.