Animal Cognition is a 3-credit course. Students of this course will get an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Comparative Cognition. Traditionally, Comparative Psychology has been regarded as the comparison of the behaviour of different species, usually considering human behaviour as the standard to what non-human species are compared. Drawing from the fields of Animal Behaviour, Philosophy and Psychology, we will compare species in diverse areas such as their particularities to perceive the environment, how physical cognition affects their problem-solving abilities and tool use, as well as their differences in social cognition, prosocial behaviour and communication. Through all this, we will question the notion of humans being the sole parameter of comparison, and promote a critical view that allows us to embrace each species uniqueness. This understanding of animal cognition will be helpful to take on more advanced courses in related fields, as well as it has important applications for assuring animal welfare.

APBI 290 002 Poster

Are you interested in exploring the welfare of wild animals? Do you want to join a cohort of students for an immersive cultural experience outside of North America? Are you curious to know how the behaviour of animals can be studied in the wild? If so, then the upcoming summer field course, LFS 302D – Asian Elephant Compassionate Conservation in Thailand, might be for you.

The Asian Elephant Compassionate Conservation field course explores how the science of animal well-being can be used in conservation to improve outcomes for animals, people, and the environment. Compassionate Conservation is a cross-disciplinary, scientific field that recognizes that the health and well-being of all living things – including humans – are connected.

Students will participate in an on-going research program from late June through July, 2022. Research will look at the behaviour, social dynamics, bioacoustics, and food ecology of a family re-wilded Asian elephants. Students will hike into a pristine bamboo and tropical evergreen forest to observe these elephants, assess the forest habitat, and survey other wildlife. Students will be accommodated in homestays by the local village. In addition to research activities, students will have the opportunity to participate in local activities.

Want to know more – attend a Zoom information session.

Thursday, February 17^th, 5pm

Tuesday February 22^nd, 3pm

https://ubc.zoom.us/j/65836154811?pwd=SXZNenloNDg2ZnNXdmg2YWlkYUQ1QT09

Additional Information:

Additional information including the application form can be found at: https://wiki.ubc.ca/Course:LFS302D

If you cannot attend the information session and you would like more information please contact the course instructor, Kristen Walker at kristen.walker@ubc.ca