Behavioural genetics (BIO/2/1)

4 credits, theory, compulsory, non-repeatable
Responsible for the subject: Dr. Enikő Kubinyi
Instructor.
Compulsory/recommended prerequisite: Genetics, Ethology major and/or PhD course recommended.
Timetable: in blocks during the examination period (5 days, to be agreed with the students, from 10:30 to 14:00 with one break)
Prerequisites: attendance of lectures, two oral presentations, successful test. The two lectures may be replaced by the publication of a knowledge paper.
Substitution and consultation: 1 absence is possible.
Consultation opportunities: one (agreed) lesson per week.
The course builds on the knowledge of the following topics: No prior knowledge is expected.
Notes, textbook, literature to be used:
Knopik, V. S., Neiderhiser, J., DeFries, J. C., Plomin, R. (2016) Behavioral genetics (7th ed.) New York: Worth Publishers.

Introduction to the subject

The discipline of behavioural genetics uses genetic methods to investigate the origins of behavioural differences between individuals and species and attempts to disentangle genetic and environmental influences and their interactions. It is probably during the domestication of animals that humans realised that variation in behaviour between individuals could be inherited. In this course, we will review genetic methods that can be used to reveal the genetic background to behavioural variation between individuals. In addition to the selection experiments and molecular techniques commonly used in the study of animals, we will also look at twin and family studies in humans and approaches based on DNA sequence analysis.  We will learn about the genetic and environmental background, heritability and developmental processes of complex human cognitive and behavioural traits, nutritional problems, psychopathological conditions, depression, anxiety disorders.

Detailed topics of the subject

Introduction to behavioural genetics
- Historical overview, Mendel's laws, study of quantitative and qualitative traits, biological basis (DNA structure, replication, regulation of gene function, polymorphisms and their role).
Animal models
- Quantitative genetic experiments, identification of genes and gene functions, generation of mutants.
Inheritance and breeding
- Twin and adoption studies, estimation of genetic and environmental effects.
Interaction of genes and environment
- Genotype-environment correlation and interaction, detection methods.
Identification of genes
- Mutations, polymorphisms, single gene and complex abnormalities, candidate gene method, GWAS.
Gene expression and epigenetics
- Transcriptome, RNA microarrays, sequence-based methods, proteome.
Genetic background of complex behavioural traits: cognitive abilities
- General and specific cognitive abilities, school progress, neurocognitive measures.
Cognitive impairment
- Phenylketonuria, fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, chromosomal abnormalities, reading and maths disorders.
Personality and personality disorders
- Schizotypal personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, antisocial personality disorder, criminality.
Developmental and adult psychopathology
- Schizophrenia (twin studies), mood and anxiety disorders, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, disruptive behaviour disorder.
Substance use disorders
- Alcohol and nicotine dependence, other drugs.
Health psychology
- Obesity, subjective well-being and health, genetic counselling.
Ageing
- Cognitive ageing, dementia, longevity.
The future of behavioural genetics
- Quantitative genetic and molecular genetic methods.

Cognitive ethology (BIO/2/2)

4 credits, theory, optional, non-repeatable
Course supervisor: Dr. Ádám Miklósi
Instructor.
Compulsory/recommended order of pre-study: BSc Cognitive Ethology at undergraduate level
Requirements during the semester: attendance of classes, reading of given publications, giving lectures. During the examination period: mark offered (may be improved by oral examination)
Consultation opportunities: during the year, by appointment
Notes, textbooks, bibliography: Required: Shettleworth, S. 2010 Cognition, behaviour and evolution
Sessions for students

S. S. Cognitive behaviour and learning, S. Sontr:
(classes will be held in longer blocks 4 times during the semester)
Scientific overview of cognitive ethology: discussion of the topic, assignment of tasks (reading books, reading articles, practising critical evaluation)
Presentation of assignments - Each time students will give a free presentation of their assigned readings, followed by questions and discussion
Debriefing
Holding of debriefings

1. Introduction
2. Problem solving
3. Social learning, traditions, learning

Human Ethology (BIO/2/3)

4 credits, lecture, compulsory, non-repeatable
Course supervisor: Dr Eniko Kubinyi
Teacher.
Mandatory/Recommended order of pre-study: -
Coursework required for the course: -
Requirements during term time: attendance of classes, reading of publications, lectures. During the examination period: mark offered (may be improved by oral examination).
Consultation opportunities: during the year, by appointment
Compulsory literature: provided during the course.

Topics: Scientific overview of human ethology - Discussion of the topic, assignment of tasks (reading books, reading articles, practising critical evaluation)
Presentation of papers - Each time, students will give a free presentation of their assigned readings, followed by questions and discussion.

Ethology (BIO/2/4)

4 credits, theory, compulsory, non-repeatable
Course supervisor: Dr. Pongrácz Péter Instructor.

Requirements, make-up, and consultation opportunities: During the semester, students must prepare a lecture based on literature. During the exam period, a colloquium will be conducted. Course description: The course aims to cover the basic topics of ethology with the help and guidance of the instructor. It provides an opportunity for students, who often come to doctoral studies with different backgrounds, to have a common knowledge of ethology by the end of the semester. Each student will give their own lecture on two topics, prepared with the help of literature, which will be discussed jointly by the course participants.

Required reading: Goodenough, J., McGuire, B., and Wallace, R. A. (2001). Perspectives on Animal Behaviour, 2nd edition. John Wiley & Sons Inc: New York.

The subject of the course:
1. Classical behavioural testing methods
2. Behavioural genetics
3. Behavioural ecology
4. Learning mechanisms and the function of learning
5. Behavioural physiology
6. Behavioural evolution in individuals
7. Biological clock, orientation mechanisms
8. Predator avoidance
9. Sexual selection, offspring care
10. Evolution, forms and function of social behaviour
11. Communication

Research management (BIO/2/5)

4 credits, practice, compulsory, non-repeatable
Course supervisor: Dr. Ádám Miklósi
Teacher.
Compulsory/recommended order of pre-study: MSc Research Design
Requirements during the semester: attendance of classes, reading of given publications, giving lectures. During the examination period: mark offered (can be improved by oral examination)
Consultation opportunities: during the year, by appointment
Coursework required for the course: Basic knowledge of ethology

The subject of the course:
(classes are held in longer blocks 4 times during the semester)
Article writing and critiquing - Discussion of the topic, assignment of tasks, assignment of manuscripts, joint critiquing, preparation
Lecture-exercise - Each session students will give a free presentation of their assigned readings, followed by questions and discussion
Preparation for writing a review paper - Discussion of the problem, why it is needed, choice of topic, structure
Presentation of an overview topic in the form of a lecture - Students give a free presentation of their chosen topic, followed by questions and discussion

Behavioural ecology (BIO/2/7)

4 credits, theory, optional, non-repeatable
Course supervisor: Dr. Pogány Ákos
Lecturer: Dr. Ákos Pogány, András Kosztolányi, Balázs Rosivall, PhD

Active participation in lectures, oral examination (independently processing, presentation and discussion of the article)
The course builds on the knowledge of the following topics: basics of ecology, ethology, evolution
Recommended literature:
Alcock, J: Animal behaviour
Krebs, JR & NB Davies: Introduction to Behavioural Ecology

The subject matter of the course:
Introduction to behavioural ecology and theoretical foundations (András Kosztolányi)
- History and status of behavioural ecology
- Introduction and history of behavioural ecology
- Methods of behavioural ecology
2. Preferential parental investment (Balázs Rosivall)
3. Evolution of gender roles (Ákos Pogány)
- Sexual selection, sexual conflict and parental cooperation
- Conflict and cooperation in dependent children
- Evolutionary mechanisms of gender roles

Subject description:
This course introduces the behavioural ecology approach. The history, theoretical background, main issues and methods of the discipline will be discussed. Through the instructors' own field and laboratory studies, we will demonstrate the practical application of these concepts. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in the approach by presenting and critically reviewing selected publications on behavioural ecology. The skills and competences developed are thus primarily critical thinking, logical reasoning, debating skills and presentation skills.

Ethology of dogs (in English) (BIO/2/8)

4 credits, theory, optional, non-repeatable
Course supervisor: Dr. Ádám Miklósi
Lecturer: Dr. Ádám Miklósi
Recommended order of pre-study: BSc Evolution of Canine Species, Basic Ethology Requirements during the semester: attendance of classes, reading of given publications, giving a lecture, and participation in the discussion. During the examination period: a mark will be offered (which may be improved by oral examination). Consultation: available throughout the year by appointment.

Classes will be held in longer blocks, six times during the semester:

1. Evolutionary and ethological research on dogs and related species
   Discussion of the topic, assignment of tasks based on the review of the book "Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition" by Miklósi (2014)
   Reading all chapters and answering questions
2. Chapters 1-4
   Each session will include a free presentation of the assigned readings followed by questions and discussion
3. Chapters 5-8
4. Chapters 9-12
5. Chapters 13-16
6. Concluding summary discussion

PhD students' reports (BIO/2/9)

Lecturer: Dr. Péter Pongrácz
4 credits, block scheduling lecture, obligatory, advised in the second semester

Animal Welfare (BIO/2/10)

4 credits, theory, optional, non-repeatable
Course supervisor: Dr. Péter Pongrácz
Instructor.
Requirements during the semester: essay based on literature during the semester, colloquium during the exam period
Recommended reading: Armstrong, S. J. and Botzler, R. G. (2003) The animal ethics reader, 2nd edition. Psychology Press.
Course Description: Students will be introduced to animal welfare approaches to animal experimentation, animal husbandry, and pet care. During the semester they will visit the Monor Pet Fair and write an essay on animal welfare issues based on their experiences there. Students will practice preparing an application for ethical approval for experimental projects.

The topic of the course:
1. Origin of animal welfare approach, subject of research
2. What is animal suffering? The origins of animal suffering, what is the origin of animal welfare? What animals are capable of suffering?
3. The relationship between the development of the nervous system and suffering
4. Key targets of animal welfare: animals for profit and animals for experimentation
5. Animal welfare aspects of field studies
6. Pet animal welfare
7. Legislation with a focus on animal experimentation

Synthetic ethology (BIO/2/11)

Course not currently taught!

4 credits, theory, optional, non-repeatable
Course supervisor: Dr. Miklósi Ádám
Teacher.
Requirements during the semester: attendance of classes, reading of given publications, giving a lecture, participation in the discussion. During the examination period: mark offered (can be improved by oral examination)
Method of teaching the subject: after a short presentation of the topic, discussion of journal articles, debate
Consultation opportunities: during the year, by appointment
Required reading: Shettleworth, S. Cognition, behaviour and evolution

The topic of the course:
1. How to measure behaviour using ethological methods
2. How to model behaviour in ethology
3. psychological models of the mind
4. biorobotics, social robots, ethorobotics (animal/human-robot interaction)
5. Chimeras, virtual worlds
6. Computers, programs as models of the brain/mind
7. Future possibilities

The personality of animals (BIO/2/12)

4 credits, theory, optional, non-repeatable
Course supervisor and lecturer: Dr. Enikő Kubinyi
Course language: English
Requirements: the course will be held during the examination period at a pre-arranged time, in combined classes on 4 days, 10:30-15:00. The students will give a lecture based on independent preparation from pre-issued textbooks and articles.
Textbooks:
Claudio Carere and Dario Maestripieri: Animal Personalities. Behavior, Physiology, and Evolution
Jennifer Vonk, Alexander Weiss, Stan A. Kuczaj: Personality in Non-human Animals
Location: ELTE TTK Building C, 7.110

The subject of the course:
1. Overview of the basics of personality research - basic concepts, methodology, psychological and behavioral ecological approaches, personality traits.
2. Invertebrate personality - Genetic and physiological background, individual development, ecology. Factors influencing the evolution of personality.
3.Vertebrate Personality - Behavioural variability, genetic basis, reproductive success.
4. Dog Personality - Personality traits, measurement methods, genetic and environmental influences, applicability.
5. Human temperament and personality traits, genetic and physiological background

Subject description:
People who keep animals are likely to believe that pets and pet animals have different personalities, just like humans. Today, there is no doubt that this is not just the opinion of pet owners, as scientific studies have described the stability of behavioural and physiological parameters over time and across situations in individuals of many species, from invertebrates to fish to primates, and have found distinct personality traits. Research on animal personality is particularly exciting because it integrates questions of mechanism, individual development, function and phylogeny. The role of personality in laboratory and field studies and in captive animal husbandry cannot be neglected, as different individuals may respond differently to the same factor. In addition, understanding the biological background of personality can shed light on the evolution and characteristics of human personality. Awareness of the fact that individuals of different species also have specific personalities can also help to preserve biodiversity. The aim of this course is to review research on the personality of animals (and sometimes humans) in terms of how and why.

Strategic thinking for scientific writing (BIO/2/13)

4 credits, lecture, optional, not repeatable
Course supervisor and instructor:Dr. Attila Andics
Aim of the course: The objective of the course is to develop skills for scientific writing, and to present the strategic aspects.

Content of the course:
The course focuses on developing skills for scientific writing. It provides an overview of the strategic aspects related to applications, publications and disseminations, and it supports the broadening and deepening of the repertoire for scientific writing via a wide variety of writing exercises. Sentence, paragraph, section structure. Manuscript types, review process text types, application text types, science communication text types. Specific strategic considerations, goals per text type. Techniques for improving texts and writing efficiency.

Requirements:: Practice mark. (Active participation during the classes, in-presence work on exercises, and short written assignments during the semester.)
Literature: Lecture handouts (pdf)

Cognitive and neuroethology (BIO/2/13)

4 credits, lecture, optional, not repeatable
Course supervisor and instructor:Dr. Attila Andics
The course builds on the knowledge of the following topics: ethology, neurobiology
Aim of the course: The aim of the course is to provide an in-depth understanding of the conceptual and methodological state of the art in selected chapters of comparative cognitive neuroscience.

Content of the course:
The focus is on brain mechanisms underlying social and communicative capacities, and on dog neuroimaging. (1) Voice sensitivity across species. Functional characterization of the voice areas. Inner state processing across species. Identity recognition across species. (2) Speech perception across species. Pattern recognition and statistical learning across species. Speech detection, language discrimination. Lexical processing across species. Emotional prosody and meaningfulness. Sensitivity to phonetic details. Learning object names. (3) Visual social perception across species. Categorization of the natural world in different species. Face sensitivity across species. Brain specializations in the visual domain.

Requirements Active presence, homeworks, oral exam.
Literature: Lecture handouts (pdf)