The study of animal behavior has gained new momentum in recent years as it has been combined with evolutionary processes, behavioral ecology, biodiversity conservation as knowledge of behavior offers valuable information for conservation measures, neurobiology and more. At the same time excellent educational and scientific books have been published that provide students and researchers with the latest knowledge on the subject.

The aim of the course is for students to be able to understand the general principles that determine how animals behave, to assess the range of mechanisms by which they adapt to their environment using different behaviors, and by studying behavior, understand the reasons why animals perform a huge variety of behaviors and understand certain aspects of human behavior.

Introduction to the study of animal behavior, the history of the study of animal behavior, genetics and evolution of behavior, development of behavior, behavior regulation, behavior organization, behavioral adaptations for survival, ecology of dietary behavior, habitat selection, evolution of communication, reproductive behavior, parental care, social behavior, human behavior.

1. Competition – 2. Defense and predation – 3. Game theory – 4. Pollination and insects – 5. Territoriality

There are no prerequisite courses for the student to take this course. However, in order to optimally follow and understand the course, the student should also have taken the Zoology course, since the basic principles of the science of Zoology are presented therein.

The evaluation procedure is conducted in Greek, covering all subjects of the teaching material and includes: I.  A written exam on the theory of the course, with short expansive questions in order to assess the students critical thought on what they were taught. II. A written exam on the laboratory exercises with short development questions on the systematics and functional characteristics of the animal groups they worked on, slides recognition and methodology questions. The grade of laboratory exams contributes 20% to the total course grade and the grade of the theory exams contributes 80%. The total grade will be the sum of the two above mentioned exams.