Course Description
Students will learn about the basic neural mechanisms of learning and memory processes, what shapes intelligence in different animal species, and how associative and non-associative learning principles can be applied to elicit trained behaviors in animals.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to submit a research paper
about a topic relating to animal behavior and cognition.
Graduate students will also be given more extensive essay
examinations in this course.
Athena Title
Animal Cognition and Behavior
Undergraduate Pre or Corequisite
POUL(ADSC) 3550 or BIOL(WILD) 3700 or BIOL 3710L or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
In this course, students will learn about the basic principles of learning, memory, and behavior and the role that these processes play in animal training. Students will learn about the underlying neural mechanisms of learning and memory, such as synaptic transmission and plasticity, memory formation, consolidation and storage, and the role that specific brain structures and regions play in learning and memory processes. This course will discuss the idea of intelligence and the molecular, cellular, and structural differences between and within species that may contribute to differences in cognitive abilities. Students will learn about the differences between associative learning, such as classical and operant conditioning, and non-associative learning and habituation and sensitization/desensitization. In addition, students will learn about basic training principles as they apply to stimuli/cues, reinforcement, and punishment. Students who take this course will gain a better understanding about how animals learn and how this information can be used to more effectively train them.
Topical Outline
I. Types of learning and memory A. Declarative/nondeclarative memory B. Working memory, short-term memory, long-term memory C. Associative learning: classical and operant conditioning D. Non-associative learning, habituation, sensitization, desensitization II. Neural basis of learning and memory A. Types of neurons B. Neurotransmitters C. Synaptic transmission D. Synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation, long-term depression E. Memory formation, consolidation, storage, retrieval F. Molecular basis of long-term memory: transcription, protein synthesis, structural plasticity G. Brain structures/regions involved in learning and memory III. Cognitive differences between and within animal species A. Brain similarities/differences between animals and humans B. Brain similarities/differences within species C. Heredity of intelligence: selective breeding, environmental influences, experiential influences IV. Animal training: stimuli A. Conditioned stimuli B. Unconditioned stimuli C. Basic cues/complex cues V. Animal training: reinforcement A. Positive reinforcement B. Negative reinforcement: escape, avoidance C. Punishment D. Extinction VI. Animal training: schedules of reinforcement A. Acquisition B. Continuous reinforcement C. Intermittent reinforcement VII. Animal training: non-associative learning A. Habituation B. Sensitization C. Desensitization: systematic desensitization, counter conditioning, overshadowing, response D. Prevention: approach conditioning, stimulus blending
Syllabus
Public CV