This course provides a deeper exploration into the fascinating world of animal behaviour, offering insights into how different species interact within their natural environments. While human behaviour is not a focus, students will discover parallels between animal and human social structures, communication, and survival strategies.
Covering a wide range of species, the programme examines behavioural patterns, environmental influences, and the instincts that shape their interactions.
No formal entry qualifications are required—students simply need the ability to engage with written material at this academic level. However, completing Modules 1 and 2 of the Introduction to Zoology course would provide a strong foundation for success in this programme.
Why choose us?
✅ Comprehensive & Detailed – Unmatched in-home study quality! ✅ No Work Experience Required – Focus purely on theory and essential knowledge. ✅ Immediate access to course material! ✅
What You'll Learn:
2. Mental Processes
- Cognition and cognitive ability
- Hormones and their effects on behaviour
- Are animals intelligent? Defining intelligence and what it means
- Learning and the different ways that animals learn, though social learning, trial and error, and conditioning
- The differences between classical and operant conditioning
- The importance of play
- Imprinting and habituation
- The critical and sensitive periods for learning
- Learned helplessness and abnormal behaviour, stereotypical behaviour
- Animal emotions
3. Protection, Feeding and Mating
- Species that have multiple offspring, and those that have single offspring, and the different methods of care of the young.
- The difference between precocial and altricial young
- Defence against predators, and the different methods of defence
- Natural selection and artificial selection
- Mimicry, and the ways that species can mimic others
- Mating and the different methods of reproduction
- Courtship behaviour
- Food chains and webs
- Herbivores, carnivores and omnivores and the ways they are adapted to different diets
- Parasitism and symbiotic relationships between species
4. Societies and Groupings
- The advantages and disadvantages of living within a group
- Societies and structures, and the hierarchy in groups
- Different forms of reproductive strategies, such as monogamy and polygamy
- Hibernation and aestivation
- Prosocial behaviour
- Group dynamics
- The differences between the sexes – sexual dimorphism
- The evolution of animal societies
5. Environment, Domestication and Captivity
- What is an environment?
- Habitat selection, why do animals choose their particular environment?
- Territories, and the ways that animals defend them from others
- The history of domestication and selective breeding
- Conservation biology and the role of captivity and zoos
- Zoochotic behaviour in captivity
6. Tool Usage and Language
- Defining tool usage in animals
- Cultural transmission and the way that animals learn through watching others
- Examples of the ways that different species use tools to achieve goals
- Communication, and the different methods used by animals
- The advantages and disadvantages of different types of communication
- Language and the ways that bees communicate
Course Details:
Study Level 3
The study Level relates to the how demanding the course is. 1 is beginner and 5 is HND / Foundation Degree level.
6 Module Course - This course is delivered in 6 study modules which need to be passed to gain the qualification.
Your future starts here!
📚 Education in Animal Welfare, Training & Behaviour
✅ Enroll Anytime – No strict start dates
🌍 Study from Anywhere in South Africa
📖 Choose from 30+ Courses
📝 Open to Everyone – Except Advanced Diplomas
⏳ Flexible Learning – Each module takes up to 4 months, or finish faster
🚫 No Exams ✅ Interactive Learning Approach Each module includes: 🔹 Research-Based Questions – Strengthen understanding through exploration 🔹 One or Two Projects – Apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios 🔹 Revision Questions – Reinforce key concepts for mastery
💳 Affordable Payment Options
🏅 Internationally Accredited Learning Institution by ICOES
📜Locally Recognised by SABCAP
🔹 Also Recognised by IAABC, CBTS, NCFE, IACE, ISAP
