Principles of animal behavior integrating genetic, physiological, developmental, and evolutionary aspects. Topics include communication, reproduction, sociality, foraging, defense, migration, habitat selection, and learning.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students must complete two of these three potential assignments outlined below: (1) independent proposed professional activity approved by faculty; (2) research profile; or (3) professional critical book review of an faculty approved relevant book. The quality and effort on those additional assignments must meet a “excellent” or “very good” evaluation are acceptable for meeting these requirements. Both assignments will receive timely feedback and, after the initial submission due date, will be eligible for revision until the final date of submission of course materials.
Athena Title
Animal Behavior
Non-Traditional Format
The course will include substantial and ongoing writing assignments that a) relate clearly to course learning; b) teach the communication values of a discipline - for example, its practices of argument, evidence, credibility, and format; and c) prepare students for further writing in their academic work, in graduate school, and in professional life. The written assignments will result in a significant and diverse body of written work (the equivalent of 6000 words or 25 pages) and the instructor (and/or the teaching assistant assigned to the course) will be closely involved in student writing, providing opportunities for feedback and substantive revision.
Prerequisite
BIOL 1104 or BIOL 2104H or BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107E or BIOL 2107H or BIOL 1108 or BIOL 2108H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will understand the historical foundations of the field, scientific approaches to the study of animal behavior, current theories, evidence for a broad range of behavioral topics, and applications of behavioral sciences to other fields such as animal training, wildlife conservation and management, child development and education, psychology, and medicine.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to access and curate primary literature and other materials as a basis for managing information in this course and throughout their professional career.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to read and critically synthesize primary literature to develop, describe, and defend their opinions on the theories and supporting evidence explaining animal behaviors as traits that evolve.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to collect, analyze, interpret, represent, and report data on animal behavior through independent and group projects research projects.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to communicate their opinions and synthesize and apply information and defend their ideas and findings through short essays and written reports with frequent opportunities for reflection and revision.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to collaborate on critical reading inquiries, collaborate on group research projects, and co-author multiple short essay and professional reports. Collaborative activities include assessments of personal and group strengths and constraints and using those to set common goals and coordinate project completion.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to critically consider how the core theories and principles and research on animal behavior apply to the conservation and management of wild animals, ethical and humane treatment of wild, captive, and domestic animals, and the general welfare of humans and non-human animals.
Topical Outline
Foundations of animal behavior
o The emergence of the science
Evolution and approaches to the study of the evolution of behaviors
Proximate drivers of behavior
o Behavioral genetics
o Neurobiology, endocrinology, and endogenous rhythms
o Sensory ecology
o Learning and animal culture
Animal sensory biology and communication systems
Habitat selection, migration, and dispersal
Despotic behaviors
Foraging and antipredator behaviors and behaviorally mediated indirect effects
The evolution of sex, sexual selection, and reproductive behaviors
Sociobiology
o Mating systems
o Parental care
o Kin selection
o Group living and cooperation
Adaptive individual differences, animal personalities and phenotypic syndromes
o Domestication
Animal cognition
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
