Subject description
Lectures contain four sections:
– The basic science of ethology of farm and companion animals: knowledge of general ethological terminology; searching explanations for behavioural expressions; understanding the process of adopting stimuli to processing in the central nervous system and the reactions of animals; expressing feelings; ways of learning and the accumulation of experience; physiological bases of behavior; playing as an indicator of animal welfare and other
– Animal Ethics: the theories of ethics, which relate to the duties of man towards animals will be presented, discussing the relationship between science and ethics of genetically modified organisms, organic farming, animal welfare, animal cruelty, etc..
– Human-animal interaction: a review and discussion of the relation of man to animals with an emphasis on the historical aspect of
– A scientific approach to animal welfare: familiarization with the approaches in animal welfare research; debate about the importance of animals as sentient individuals
The subject is taught in programs
Objectives and competences
Knowledge of general ethological terminology. Understanding of animal welfare, emotions, physiological bases of behavior (eg, hormones, neurotransmitters and heart rate), learning and experiences in animals and their impact on behavior. Understanding species specific behavior. Acquaintance with ethics in the field of animal welfare. Knowledge of the effects (eg, personality) on the quality of the animal’s relationship to humans.
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, consultations, seminar workshops.
Expected study results
Knowledge and understanding:
View ethology and animal welfare as interdisciplinary field of study.
Basic sources and literature
Bekoff M. 2004. Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior. Westport, Greenwood Press: 1274 str., ISBN: 0-313-32746-7 (vol. 1), 0-313-32747-5 (vol. 2) in 0-313-33294-0 (vol 3)
Bolhuis J.J., Giraldeau L. 2005. The Behaviour of Animals. Mechanisms, Function and Evolution. Malden, Blackwell Publishing: 515 str., ISBN: 0-631-23125-0
Fraser A. F., Broom D. M. 2007. Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare, CABI; Fourth edition: 540 str., ISBN-10: 1845932870
Jensen P. 2009. The Ethology of Domestic Animals. CABI; Second edition: 246 str., ISBN-10: 1845935365
Scott G. 2005. Essential Animal Behaviour. Malden, Blackwell Publishing: 202 str., ISBN: 0-632-05799-8
Yates, J., Röcklinsberg, H., Gjerris, M. 2011.“Is welfare all that matters? A discussion of what should be included in policymaking regarding animals”. Animal Welfare, 20:3, 423-432.
Gjerris, M., Gamborg, C., Röcklinsberg, H., Anthony, R. 2011. ”The price of responsibility: Ethics of Animal Husbandry in a Time of Climate Change”, Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, Vol 24:4, pp 331-350.
Duncan, I.J.H. Science-based assessment of animal welfare: farm animals. Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 2005, 24 (2), 483-492
Michael Mendl, Elizabeth S.Paul. 2020. Animal affect and decision-making. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 112: 144-163.
Stay up to date
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering Tržaška cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana