Class Schedule: Mon and Wed 1:10 - 2:00; Fri 1:10-3:00, 301 Buttrick Hall
Instructor Information:
Welcome to Behavioral Ecology. This course examines the ecological and evolutionary causes of the way animals behave. It is designed to introduce students to the amazing variety of animal behaviors, and provide an understanding of what drives the evolution and maintenance of these behaviors. Topics covered include foraging behavior, the evolution of mating systems, sexual selection, predator-prey relationships, cooperation and altruism, competition, and parental care.
Course
goals: My
primary goal for this course is that students develop a solid
understanding of the past and current research directions in Behavioral
Ecology. In addition to my lectures, development of critical thinking
and communication skills by students will be stressed. Memorizing
information is only the first step in learning about science.
Therefore, students will be given a variety of opportunities to
express themselves, both orally and in writing. A large part of
your grade will be based on how successfully you communicate your
understanding of ideas to me and to the rest of the class.
Class consists of two
parts: Monday and Wednesday
I will lecture on a topic(s). Fridays will be devoted to discussion
of articles from the primary literature that deal with the week's
lecture topics.
Required
Readings: There
is one required textbook for this course (available in the bookstore)
-
Krebs, J.R. and
N.B. Davies. 1993. An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology. Third
edition. Blackwell Scientific Publications. Oxford.
In addition to the text, we will read a variety of articles, mainly
from the primary scientific literature. I will be choosing papers
as the course progresses and assign them during class. Copies
of these papers will be kept on reserve in the Science library.
| Course component | Points | % Grade |
| Midsemester exams (2) | 100 (each) | 20 (each) |
| Final exam | 100 | 20 |
| Term paper | 100 | 20 |
| Term paper presentation | 50 | 10 |
| Natural History presentation | 20 | 4 |
| Discussion | 20 | 4 |
| Misc. assignments | 10 | 2 |
| Total | 500 | 100 |
Exams: The two, one hour exams
will test your general knowledge of the topics covered in class
and will test your ability to apply your knowledge in a new context.
The exam format will we discussed in class but will consist primarily
of essay and short answer questions. The final exam will not be
cumulative, although I do reserve the right to ask questions that
tie together major ideas discussed throughout the semester.
Natural History
Report:
A second goal for this course is that students develop their appreciation
for animal behavior and natural history. We will spend some time
during our discussions talking about the natural history of the
animals we are reading about (where they live, what they eat,
etc.). Students will become "experts" on a particular
animal and, periodically throughout the semester, will give 5-7
minute presentations to the class about different animals. Go
to Report Guidelines
Discussion: As one of the key aspects
of this course, the discussions will help you develop your ability
to critically read and evaluate scientific literature as well
as provide opportunities to integrate textbook and lecture material
with current and classic research in behavioral ecology. Discussion
also provides an opportunity for you to begin talking about biology
with other biologists. To help keep discussion running smoothly,
while preparing for each discussion, students will fill out a
"discussion sheet" on which they organize their thoughts.
These sheets will be handed in at the end of each discussion period.
Go
to Discussion Guidelines
Grading: In general, late assignments
will be docked one letter grade (10%) for each day they are late
unless an extension has been granted by me at least 24 hrs.
BEFORE the assignment is due. Assignments due at a particular
time of day (e.g. term paper) will be docked 5% if turned in late
on the due date and 10% per day thereafter. Discussion sheets
will not be accepted after their corresponding discussion has
met. Tests and final exams must be taken at the assigned time.
Only in the event of a medical or personal emergency will I consider
deviations from the testing schedule. Discussion is one of the
critical aspects of this course - therefore attendance at discussion
is required. Notify me in advance if an emergency arises.
{The schedule, policies, and assignments in this document are guidelines and subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. }