| Course ID: | BIOL(WILD) 3700W. 3 hours. |
| Course Title: | Animal Behavior |
Course
Description: | Principles of animal behavior integrating genetic, physiological, developmental, and evolutionary aspects. Topics include communication, reproduction, sociality, foraging, defense, migration, habitat selection, and learning. |
| Oasis Title: | Animal Behavior |
| Nontraditional 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 1108 and BIOL 1108L |
Semester Course
Offered: | Offered fall semester every year. |
| Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
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| Course Objectives: | Behavior is one of the most important and interesting aspects of animal biology. Behaviors permit flexibility that allows animals to respond rapidly to environmental changes. This course exposes students to the broad field of animal behavior. Students will come to understand the historical foundations of the field, current theories and evidence for a broad range of behavioral topics, and applications of behavioral sciences to other fields, such as epidemiology, animal training, and wildlife conservation and management. Students will also participate in practical exercises to learn some fundamental techniques used to study behavior and will be introduced to the types and sources of information that must be known should one decide to select animal behavior as a field of specialization in a professional career. Behavioral ecology and the evolution of behaviors as adaptations will be recurring themes interwoven through all topics discussed. Students in this course engage in a high frequency of professional writing ranging from low to high stakes, including short answers to inquiry-based questions, three scientific reports, and two professional applied essays. All writing assignments include class discussion and emphasis on key elements of writing, including audience awareness and purpose for writing, effective use of evidence, logical construction of arguments and defense of judgments, and the use of writing to understand and evaluate problems. Reports and essays total 25-30 pages of text and include multiple opportunities for facilitated peer review, reflection, and revision of writing as well as regular feedback from instructors through the use of value rubrics. Peer review and reflection are integrated into course grading to reward students for engaging the process of writing rather than focusing entirely on evaluation of products. |
| Topical Outline: | Exercise 1 - Measuring Behaviors
Foundations of Behavior
Exercise 2 - Home Ranges
Evolutionary approach to Behavior
Exercise 1 - Measuring Behaviors
Proximate and Ultimate Causes of Behavior
Controlling Behaviors
Habitat Selection and Migration
Exercise 2 - Home Ranges
Territorial Behavior
Foraging Behavior
Anti-Predator Behaviors
Exercise 3 - Foraging Game
Guest Lecture - Parasites and Host Behaviors
Sensory Systems and Behavior
Foraging, Repellants and Wildlife Damage Control
Animal Communication
Sexual Selection and Reproductive Behaviors
Guest Lecture - Evolution of Mating Systems
Inclusive Fitness and Parental Investment
Parental Care
"The Shy and the Bold", Adaptive Individual Differences in Behavior
Sociobiology
Guest Lecture - Training Horses
Guest Lecture - Veterinary Animal Behavior
Human Behavior |