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Explore Animal Behaviour and Conservation in our MOOCs!

Gepubliceerd op
14 november 2024

Have you ever wondered why animal behave the way they do? And do you want to know how we can contribute to a sustainable coexistence with wildlife? Our chair group offers two Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for learners worldwide to study the complexities of animal behaviour and human impacts on wildlife populations.

The MOOC Introduction to Animal Behaviour provides an introduction to the world of wild animal behaviour and dives into the methods used to test hypotheses about why animals act as they do. With more than 50000 enrolled learners from over a 100 countries since 2016, the course has received recognition as one of the Class Central’s Best Free Online Courses of All Time, highlighting its quality and popularity among students. During the course, participants explore a range of behaviours essential for survival. The course starts by examining how animals learn and communicate, and moves on to topics like finding food (foraging strategies), how not to get eaten (predator avoidance), finding a partner (mate selection), and taking care of offspring (parental care). The course is designed for anyone eager to improve their knowledge beyond typical nature documentaries and requires no prior experience, only curiosity and enthusiasm. At the end of the course, participants will know the key concepts that explain the diverse behaviours animals exhibit, gain experience with the scientific methods for studying these behaviours, and learn about the social dynamics in animal communities.

Our second MOOC, Animal Behaviour and Conservation, provides participants with the skills to assess and address human impacts on wildlife populations through knowledge of animal behaviour. In this five-week course, participants study the principles of animal behaviour as a tool for conservation. Key concepts for animal behaviour will be explored and applied to wildlife conservation issues. Participants learn how animals adapt their behaviours in response to human pressures, identify behavioural indicators for management, and design conservation strategies that promote sustainable coexistence with wildlife. Currently, the course has 1049 enrolled learners from 101 countries and regions around the world. It is aimed at professionals working with wildlife or students wishing to complement their wildlife conservation or animal behaviour training. However, the course also welcomes anyone with a general interest in animal behaviour or conservation.

For WUR and Virtual Exchange students, the courses not only offer valuable knowledge but also academic recognition, as they can earn credits (ECTS) upon completion. These students can find the courses in the study handbook and sign up for them using the university registration system. Those studying elsewhere need to check with their local institution about the possibilities to take MOOCs for credits.

Cannot wait to learn more about animal behaviour and conservation? Enrol yourself for the courses: Introduction to Animal Behaviour or Animal Behaviour and Conservation.