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Primate Biology and Conservation

Module description

The order Primates is one of the most species-rich groups of mammals. Primate species span at least four orders of magnitude in body size, eat a wide variety of foods, exhibit the most diverse set of locomotory adaptations of any animal order, live in many types of social system, inhabit a range of environments, and have slow life histories compared to many other mammals. Approximately 60% of primate species are threatened with extinction because of unsustainable human activities, an estimate that has increased alarmingly over the last decade.

This module focuses on current scientific understanding of the importance of and main threats to primates and their habitats. We will examine how primate biology impacts their conservation status and vulnerability to extinction, to identify mechanisms that will enable effective conservation. Using a mixture of lectures, background reading material, discussion, role play, and a trip to a local primate sanctuary, you will develop and share your opinions on a range of contentious topics in primate conservation, from the trade in primates and their parts, to human-primate interactions and infectious disease. You will explore different strategies used to conserve primates in the wild, including tourism, sanctuaries, law enforcement and protected areas, and their species- and context-specific effectiveness.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to inspire you to disentangle the complexities of conserving primates in an increasingly human-influenced world, through integrating biological and social approaches, and examining the wider conditions under which conservation strategies need to work.

Research-led learning is central to this module, and you will develop your research, presentation, and discussion skills. A series of online lectures and face-to-face discussions will draw on real-world case studies and you will engage with research staff and students at the University of Exeter to ensure you are exposed to the latest scientific findings and ‘hot topics’ in primate conservation.

In addition to module specific knowledge, the focus will be on key employability skills including:

• critical synthesis of literature around controversial topics
• oral and written communication skills
• time management
• collaboration and teamwork
• audience awareness
• persuasive argument

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe in detail the biology and conservation status of non-human primates
• 2. Outline the major conservation threats to primates and their habitat
• 3. Discuss the complexities inherent in real-life case studies and think creatively about research principles and applied practices for primate conservation

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Describe in detail and analyse essential facts and theory across a sub-discipline of biosciences
• 5. Analyse and evaluate independently a range of research-informed literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work
• 6. Identify and implement, with limited guidance, appropriate methods and theories for solving a range of complex problems in biosciences
• 7. With minimal guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation, and enquiry within biosciences
• 8. Describe and evaluate in detail approaches to our understanding of biosciences with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 9. Devise and sustain, with little guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with sound, convincing conclusions
• 10. Communicate effectively arguments, evidence and conclusions using a variety of formats in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
• 11. Analyse and evaluate appropriate data and complete a range of research-like tasks with very limited guidance
• 12. Evaluate own strengths and weaknesses in relation to graduate-level professional and practical skills, and act autonomously to develop new areas of skills as necessary
• 13. Reflect effectively and independently on learning experiences and evaluate personal achievements
• 14. Work in a small team and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility)

Syllabus plan

The module will be delivered using a hybrid approach of pre-recorded lectures and face-to-face discussions, roleplay and fieldtrip. Sessions will cover topics relating to primate biology and conservation such as:

• primate taxonomy,
• primate life histories, behaviour, and cognition
• primate distribution, including monitoring methods
• primate conservation status and threats to primates, including habitat change, hunting, infectious disease
• human-primate interactions and conservation conflicts
• primate conservation strategies

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to re-submit an assessment as described in the table above. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Wich, S.A. and Marshall, A.J. 2016. An Introduction to Primate Conservation. Oxford University Press.
• Strier, K.B. 2017. Primate Behavioral Ecology. Routledge.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page

Key words search

Primate biology, primate conservation, primate pet trade, primate bushmeat trade, deforestation, land conversion, infectious disease, human-primate interactions, conservation conflicts, conservation management