Social Insects (C1139)
Social Insects
Module C1139
Module details for 2012/13.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Module Outline
The eusocial insects comprise approximately 20,000 species of ants, termites, bees and wasps. Eusociality in these groups has evolved 20-100MYA on approximately 10 occasions and has given rise to highly-organized societies with up to 20 million individuals. Eusocial insects are of great economic and ecological importance. They are also key model systems in many important areas of biology. The module comprises c. 19 lectures and 4-5 labs. Part 1 of the module (c. 6 lectures) provides general background on social insects. Later parts cover contrasting areas in which research on social insects is particularly active and important: Part 2) Use of inclusive fitness theory to understand conflict and conflict resolution within insect societies; Part 3) How insect societies are organized; Part 4) Special topic such as Fungus farming in social insects or The evolution of eusociality in insects. The labs are: Getting to know the social insects; Decoding the honey bee waggle dance; Quantifying wasp behaviour; Kinship and inclusive fitness theory; Organization of ant trail systems.
Module learning outcomes
Have a broad general knowledge of social insects and be able to understand, conceptually and with examples how reproductive conflicts among individuals and groups within insect societies arise and are resolved and how insect societies are organised.
Be able to apply inclusive fitness theory in the context of conflict and conflict resolution within insect societies and to calculate levels of relatedness.
Produce written information on scientific subjects in formats appropriate for non-scientific and scientific audiences
Understand and use methods for collecting behavioural data from social insects, such as in honey bee dancing, ant foraging trails, and wasp behaviour.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Examination | Semester 2 Assessment | 70.00% |
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Exercise | A1 Week 1 | 33.00% |
| Briefing Paper | T1 Week 12 | 33.00% |
| Test | T1 Week 11 (1 hour) | 34.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 333333333333 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Prof Francis Ratnieks
Assess convenor, Convenor
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