Course Catalogue

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This course examines the effects of hormones on behaviour in animals. Therefore, the class will consider how genes and hormones influence the development and activation of behavioural/cognitive abilities; with a focus on sex differences. The meaning of 'gender', as applied in the course, will be discussed and defined. Topics will include the effects of hormones on sexual differentiation, reproductive behaviour, parental behaviour, physiological stability and biological rhythms, regulation of body weight, learning and memory. The general approach of this class is integrating studies from rodents to birds, and primates to humans, to formulate a comprehensive picture of the current research field. A major goal of the class is to evaluate past and current literature culminating with prospective experiments for future investigations as well as highlight the ethical use and short comings of generative AI for this purpose. Each class is divided into two sections. The first consists of a lecture based on the selected weekly topics. The lecture will provide the necessary background information while emphasizing the current research directions and questions. The lecture will be followed by student oral presentations. The student presentations are based on an assigned article that reveals recent insight into the topic covered that week.

Weekly lectures and tutorials (oral presentations), practical sessions for data analysis.

Students must have attained the minimum requirements for entry into level 3 of the Veterinary Biosciences [Hons]/MSci Programme as specified in the Veterinary Biosciences [Hons]/MSci Programme Supplementary Regulations.

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End of course assessment (30%): Written exam (30%) - may consist of multiple choice questions, short answer questions and/or data interpretation questions.

Report 1 (10%) - Critically evaluate an essay written by artificial intelligence (e.g., Chatgpt).

Set exercise (20%) - A science communication project that communicates a scientific publication to the general public. The output could be in the form of a newspaper article, (v)Blog (or similar online media), or video clip.

Oral presentation (20%) - An oral presentation on one scientific publication.

Report 2 (20%) - A report on a study that examines differences in brain and behaviour. Report consists of data collection and evaluation.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

■ To provide an overview of the bidirectional relation of hormone and behavioural interactions

■ To outline how sex differences are established at multiple levels of biological organisation

■ To outline how the brain is a mosaic, composed of sex differences along a spectrum

■ To give an overview of the ways hormones change the probability and intensity of behaviour

■ To provide insights into how behaviour can change hormone action

■ To overview the endogenous rhythms in hormone-behaviour relations

■ To develop the ability to retrieve, critically appraise and discuss i) appropriate peer reviewed research literature and ii) output from generative AI models

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Describe how sex differences are created and establish variation in gender

■ Explain how hormones change behaviour and how behaviour feedback regulates hormones

■ Explain how the brain controls behaviour and is modified by hormone signalling pathways

■ Critically evaluate scientific publications in relation to neuroscience and endocrinology

■ Describe how social behaviour is modified by hormones and experience

■ Demonstrate analytical skills and interpretation of data

■ Critically examine outputs of generative AI

■ Demonstrate an ability to communicate science to a lay audience

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.