NEOSHO COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MASTER COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE IDENTIFICATION
Course Code/Number:
BIOL 231
Course Title:
Animal Behavior
Division:
X
Applied Science (AS)
Health Care (HC)
x
Liberal Arts (LA)
Lifetime Learning (LL)
x
x
Credit Hour(s): x3
Effective Date: Fall 2013
Assessment Goal Per Outcome: 70%
Workforce Development (WD)
x
x
x
x
Nursing
Developmental
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Animal behavior is a broad discipline with investigators and contributions from diverse perspectives,
including anthropology, comparative psychology, ecology, ethology, physiology, and zoology. Using
evolutionary principles as a unifying theme, this course will provide students exposure to a number of
approaches to the field of animal behavior.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS/PREREQUISITES AND/OR COREQUISITES
Prerequisite of BIOL 111 and BIOL 112 or with instructor permission.
TEXTS
The official list of textbooks and materials for this course is found on Inside NC.
http://www.neosho.edu/ProspectiveStudents/Registration/CourseSyllabi.aspx
GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES
1. Practice Responsible Citizenship through:
 identifying rights and responsibilities of citizenship,
 identifying how human values and perceptions affect and are affected by social diversity,
 identifying and interpreting artistic expression.
2. Live a healthy lifestyle (physical, intellectual, social) through:
 listing factors associated with a healthy lifestyle and lifetime fitness,
 identifying the importance of lifetime learning,
 demonstrating self-discipline, respect for others, and the ability to work collaboratively as a team.
3. Communicate effectively through:
 developing effective written communication skills,
 developing effective oral communication and listening skills.
4. Think analytically through:
 utilizing quantitative information in problem solving,
 utilizing the principles of systematic inquiry,
 utilizing various information resources including technology for research and data collection.
COURSE OUTCOMES/COMPETENCIES (as Required)
Upon successful completion of Animal Behavior, the student should be able to:
1. Describe and Demonstrate an Understanding of the General Study of Animal Behavior
a. Identify and Describe Reasons For Studying Animal Behavior
b. Explain a Case Study: The Monarch Butterfly
Behavioral Genetics and Evolution
Mechanisms of Behavior
Food and Shelter
c. Identify and Describe Social Organizations and Mating Systems
d. Describe and Differentiate Proximate Versus Ultimate Causation
2. Demonstrate an Understanding of the History of the Study of Animal Behavior
a. Explain Interest in Animal Behavior
Early Humans
Classical World
b. Describe Foundations of Animal Behavior
Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
Comparative Method
c. Identify and Describe Experimental Approaches
Studies of Mechanisms
Studies of Function and Evolution
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
3. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Approaches and Methods
a. Identify and Describe Approaches in Animal Behavior
Ethology
Comparative Psychology
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
b. Identify and Describe Design Features in Animal Behavior Studies
Definitions and Records
Design of the Experiment
Variation and Variance
Capturing, Marking, and Tracking Animals and Animal Signs
Field Methods for Data Collection
Method Pitfalls
c. Describe Applied Animal Behavior
d. Identify and Describe the Use of Animals in Research
4. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Behavior Genes and Evolution
a. Describe Basic Principles of Genetics
Chromosomes, Genes, and Alleles
Mutation as a Source of Genetic Variation
Sexual Reproduction and Genetic Variation
b. Describe Evolution
Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection
Other Causes of Evolution
The Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Fitness and Adaptation
Units of Selection
c. Recognize Limitations and Cautions About Adaptive Explanations
5. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Behavioral Genetics
a. Identify Questions in Behavioral Genetics
b. Describe Single Gene Effects
Mendelian Crosses
Mutations
Knockout Genes
Mosaics
c. Describe Multigenic Effects: Simpler Methods
Cross-Fostering Experiments
Twin and Adoption Studies
Inbred Lines
d. Describe Multigenic Effects: Quantitative Genetics
Quantitative Traits and the Sources of Behavioral Variation
Heritability
e. Identify and Describe Quantitative Genetics Techniques
Artificial Selection
Parent-Offspring Regression
Caveats about Heritability Estimates
Quantitative Trait Locus Analysis
6. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Evolution of Behavior Patterns
a. Describe Microevolutionary Changes in Behavior
Domestication and Behavioral Change
Natural Selection in the Field
b. Describe Macroevolutionary Changes in Behavior
Behavior and the Fossil Record
Studies of Adaptive Radiation
Phylogeny and the Comparative Approach
Behavior and Speciation
7. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of The Nervous System
a. Identify and Describe a Nerve Cell
The Neuron at Rest
Action Potentials
Synapses
b. Describe Phylogenetic Variation Across Nervous Systems
Simple Systems
Radially Symmetrical Nervous Systems
Bilaterally Symmetrical Nervous Systems
The Vertebrate Nervous System
c. Identify and Describe Sensory Receptors
Chemoreceptors
Mechanoreceptors
Electroreceptors
Thermoreceptors
Photoreceptors
Processing and Filtering Sensory Information
c. Describe the Control of Movement
d. Identify and Describe Methods of Investigating the Nervous System
Recording Neural Activity, Neural Stimulation, and Self-Stimulation
Transection, Lesions, and Transplantations Functional Neuroanatomy and Imaging
Psychopharmacology and Cannulation
Metabolic Activity of Neurons
Potential Problems
e. Discuss Examples of Neurobiology and Behavior
The Mechanics of Feeding
Repetitive Movement
Escaping Danger
Detecting Prey
Communication
Learning and Memory
8. Demonstrate an Understanding of Hormones and Behavior, and Immunology and Behavior
a. Describe General Features of Endocrine Systems
b. Identify and Describe Invertebrate Endocrine Systems
c. Identify and Describe Vertebrate Endocrine Systems
d. Identify and Describe Experimental Methods
e. Identify and Describe Organizational Effects
Sexual and Aggressive Behavior
Additional Examples of Organizational Effects
Thyroid and Adrenal Glands
Invertebrates
f. Identify and Describe Activational Effects
Aggression and Sexual Behavior Patterns
Hormones and Cognition
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Eclosion
Life Stages
Molting
Color Change
g. Identify and Describe Behavioral-Endocrine Effects
h. Identify and Describe Endocrine-Environment-Behavior Interactions
Reproductive Sequence in Ring Doves
Parturition and Maternal Behavior in Rats
Reproduction in Lizards
Reproduction in House Sparrows
i. Identify and Describe Hormone-Brain Relationships
j. Identify and Describe Hormones in Relation to Ecology
k. Identify and Describe Immune System and Behavior
Immune System
Implications for Behavior
9. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Biological Rhythms
a. Describe Biological Rhythms with Respect to BehaviorTypes of Rhythms
Endogenous Pacemaker
Zeitgebers
Models
Location and Physiology of the Pacemaker
b. Discuss the Significance of Biological Timekeeping
Ecological Adaptations
Diurnality
Applied Aspects of Circadian Clocks
Hibernation
Migration
Combined Clocks
10. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Development of Behavior
a. Describe and Differentiate Nature, Nurture, and Niche
Genetic Influences
Environmental Influences
Epigenesis and Ontogenetic Niche
b. Describe Embryology of Behavior
Nervous System Development
Sensory and Motor Stimulation
Maternal Experiences Affect Offspring Behavior
c. Discuss Early Postnatal Events
Imprinting
Development of Feeding and Food Preferences
d. Describe Juvenile Events: Birds and Mammals
Deprivation/Enrichment Experiments
Bird Song
Puberty in Female House Mice
e. Describe Juvenile Events: Insects and Fish
Insects
Fish
f. Identify and Discuss Play Behavior
Functions
Canids
Keas
Human Children
g. Discuss Development into Adult Life
11. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Learning
a. Identify and Describe Forms of Learning
Habituation
Classical Conditioning
Sensitization
Operant Conditioning
Classical and Operant Conditioning Compared
Other Aspects of Learning b. Discuss Invertebrate Learning
Protozoa and Cnidaria
Platyhelminthes and Annelida
Mollusca
Anthropoda
c. Discuss Vertebrate Learning
Rats and Monkeys
Vertebrae Intelligence
d. Discuss Comparison Across Phyla
e. Discuss Preparedness and Constraints on Learning
Biological Constraints---Preparedness
Methodological Constraints
f. Describe Learning as Adaptive Behavior
Feeding
Predator-Prey Relations
Reproduction and Parenting
g. Describe Animal Cognition
Pigeons
Chimpanzees
Parrots
Vervet Monkeys
Corvids
Song Learning
Self-Recognition
12. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Communication
a. Describe Communication
b. Describe Signals of Information
Discrete and Grades Signals
Distance and Duration
Composite Signals, Syntax, and Context
Metacommunication
c. Identify and Describe Functions of Communication
Group Spacing and Coordination
Recognition
Reproduction
Agonism and Social Status
Alarm
Finding Food
Giving and Soliciting Care
Soliciting Play
Synchronization of Hatching
d. Identify and Describe Channels of Communication
Odor
Sound
Low-Frequency Sound and Seismic Vibrations
Touch Electric Field
Vision
e. Discuss Evolution of Displays
f. Describe Complex Communication
Food Location in Honeybees
Language Acquisition
13. Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Migration, Orientation, and Navigation
a. Describe Migration
Birds
Mammals
Other Vertebrates
Invertebrates
b. Describe Orientation
c. Describe Navigation
Path Integration
Piloting
Compass Orientation
Olfactory Cues
Magnetic Field
Meteorological Cues
Neural Mechanisms
14. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Habitat Selection
a. Identify Presence or Absence of Species: Factors Restricting Habitat Use
Dispersal Ability
Behavior
Interactions with Other Organisms
Physical and Chemical Factors
b. Discuss Dispersal from the Place of Birth
Inbreeding Avoidance Hypothesis
Intraspecific Competition Hypothesis
Examples of Dispersal
Inbreeding Versus Outbreeding
c. Discuss Habitat Choice and Reproductive Success
d. Identify Proximate Factors: Environmental Cues
e. Describe Determinants of Habitat Preference
Heredity
Learning and Early Experience
Tradition
f. Discuss Theory of Habitat Selection
15. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Foraging Behavior
a. Discuss Optimality Theory
b. Discuss Foraging Models
Choice of Food Items: The Prey Model
How Long to Stay in a Patch
Central-Place Foraging
Risk-Sensitive Foraging
Effects of Competitors on Foraging Behavior
Effects of Predators on Foraging Behavior
State-Sensitive Models of Foraging
c. Identify Techniques for Acquiring Food
Modifying Food Supply
Trap Building
Electromagnetic Fields
Aggressive Mimicry
Tools
d. Discuss Foraging and Social Behavior
Sharing Information
Cooperative Hunting
e. Describe Defense Against Predators
Individual Strategies
Social Strategies
16. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Conflict
a. Describe Aggression, Agonistic Behavior, and Competition
Definitions
Competition for Resources
Exploitation and the Ideal Free Distribution
Interference Competition and Resources Defense
b. Describe Conflict about Physical Space
Territory
d. Identify and Describe Dominance
Dominance Hierarchies
Dominance Hierarchy in the Rhesus Monkey
Cost and Benefits of Dominance
e. Describe Infanticide and Siblicide
f. Discuss Internal Factors in Aggression
Hormones
Neural Mechanisms
Genetics
g. Discuss External Factors in Aggression
Learning and Experience
Pain and Frustration
Social Factors
Sex and Hunger
h. Discuss Evolution of Restraint and Appeasement
Game Theory Models
i. Describe Relevance of Evolution of Restraint and Appeasement for Humans Social Control and
Social Disorganization
17. Describe and Demonstrate an Understanding of Sexual Reproduction and Parental Care
a. Discuss Cost and Benefits of Sex
Cost of Sex
Benefits of Sex
b. Describe Anisogamy and the Bateman Gradient
c. Discuss Sex Determination and the Sex Ratio
d. Describe Sexual Selection
Intersexual Selection
Intrasexual Selection
18. Describe and Demonstrate an Understanding of Mating Systems and Parental Care
a. Identify and Describe Mating Systems
Monogamy
Polygyny
Polyandry
Ecology and Mating Systems
Alternative Reproductive Tactics
b. Describe Parental Care
Ecological Factors
Which Sex Should Invest?
Examples of Parental Investment
c. Discuss Parent-Offspring Recognition
d. Discuss Parent-Offspring Conflict
e. Describe Sibling Rivalry
19. Identify, Describe, and Demonstrate an Understanding of Social Behavior
a. Discuss Changing Perspectives in the Study of Social Behavior
Early Studies
Later Studies
b. Discuss Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in Groups
Benefits of Group Living
Cost of Group Living
c. Describe the Evolution of Cooperation and Altruism
Kin Selection
Reciprocity
Mutualism and the Appearance of Altruism
d. Identify Examples of Social Systems
A Taxonomic Overview
Communal Breeding and Helpers at the Nest
Eusociality
Humans
MINIMUM COURSE CONTENT
The following topics must be included in this course. Additional topics may also be included.
1. Introduction to Animal Behavior
A. Why We Study Animal Behavior
B. The Monarch Butterfly: A Case Study
C. Proximate Versus Ultimate Causation
2. History of the Study of Animal Behavior
A. Interest in Animal Behavior
B. Foundations of Animal Behavior
C. Experimental Approaches
3. Approaches and Methods
A. Approaches
B. Design Features in Animal Behavior Studies
C. Applied Animal Behavior
D. Using Animals in Research
4. Genes and Evolution
A. Basic Principles of Genetics
B. An Introduction to Evolution
C. Cautions about Adaptive Explanations
5. Behavioral Genetics
A. Questions in Behavioral Genetics
B. Studying Single Gene Effects
C. Studying Multigenic Effects: Simpler Methods
D. Studying Multigenic Effects: Quantitative Genetics
E. Quantitative Genetics Techniques
F. Parent-Offspring Regression
6. Evolution of Behavior Patterns
A. Microevolutionary Changes in Behavior
B. Macroevolutionary Changes in Behavior
7. The Nervous System
A. The Nerve Cell
B. Phylogenetic Variation across Nervous Systems
C. Sensory Receptors
D. The Control of Movement
E. Methods of Investigating the Nervous System
F. Examples of Neurobiology and Behavior
8. Hormones and Behavior, and Immunology and Behavior
A. General Features of Endocrine Systems
B. Invertebrate Endocrine Systems
C. Vertebrate Endocrine Systems
D. Experimental Methods
E. Organizational Effects
F. Activational Effects
G. Behavioral-Endocrine Effects
H. Endocrine-Environment-Behavior Interactions
I. Hormone-Brain Relationships
J. Hormones and Ecology
K. Immune System and Behavior
9. Biological Rhythms
A. Biological Rhythms with Respect to Behavior
B. Significance of Biological Timekeeping
10. Development of Behavior
A. Nature - Nurture - Niche
B. Embryology of Behavior
C. Early Postnatal Events
D. Juvenile Events: Birds and Mammals
E. Juvenile Events: Fish and Insects
F. Play Behavior
G. Development into Adult Life
11. Learning
A. Forms of Learning
B. Invertebrate Learning
C. Vertebrate Learning
D. Comparison across Phyla
E. Preparedness and Constraints on Learning
F. Learning as Adaptive Behavior
G. Animal Cognition
12. Communication
A. What Is Communication
B. How Do Signals Convey Information?
C. Functions of Communication
D. Channels of Communication
E. Evolution of Displays
13. Migration, Orientation, and Navigation
A. Migration
B. Orientation
C. Navigation
14. Habitat Selection
A. Presence of Absence of Species: Factors Restricting Habitat Use
B. Dispersal from the Place of Birth
C. Habitat Choice and Reproductive Success
D. Proximate Factors: Environmental Cues
E. Determinants of Habitat Preference
F. Theory of Habitat Selection
15. Foraging Behavior
A. Optimality Theory
B. Foraging Models
C. Techniques for Acquiring Food
D. Foraging and Social Behavior
F. Defense against Predators
16. Conflict
A. Aggression, Agonistic Behavior, and Competition
B. Conflict about Physical Space
C. Dominance
D. Infanticide and Siblicide
E. Internal Factors in Aggression
F. External Factors in Aggression
G. Evolution of Restraint and Appeasement
H. Relevance for Humans
17. Sexual Reproduction and Parental Care
A. Cost and Benefits of Sex
B. Anisogamy and the Bateman Gradient
C. Sex Determination and the Sex Ratio
D. Sexual Selection
18. Mating Systems and Parental Care
A. Mating Systems
B. Parental Care
C. Parent-Offspring Recognition
D. Parent-Offspring Conflict
E. Sibling Rivalry
19. Social Behavior
A. Changing Perspectives in the Study of Social Behavior
B. Why Live in Groups?
C. The Evolution of Cooperation and Altruism
D. Examples of Social Systems
STUDENT REQUIREMENTS AND METHOD OF EVALUATION
This is a three-hour course consisting of three hours of lecture per week. Examinations will be
announced at least one week prior to their administration. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced
at the discretion of the instructor. In addition to examinations and quizzes, other evaluative measures
may include notebooks, projects, research papers and other graded assignments.
GRADING
There are NO make-up Examinations in this course. The ONLY reason for missing a scheduled
examination is an illness, which can be verified in writing by your PHYSICIAN, or a college event. If you
absolutely must miss an examination, contact the Instructor BEFORE the scheduled examination. PLEASE
NOTE that the Instructor has provided TWO ways for your convenience in making contact. If you have
failed to take an examination at its scheduled time and have not made prior arrangements with the
Instructor, you will receive a score of ZERO (0) for that examination.
Percent of Top Score Letter Grade
90-100% A
80- 89.9% B
70- 79.9% C
60- 69.9% D
< 60% F
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT GAIN
The administrations of a comprehensive lecture final consisting of multiple choice, true/false, matching,
essay, or other questions types.
Attendance Policy
1. NCCC values interactive learning which promotes student engagement in the learning process. To be
actively engaged, the student must be present in the learning environment.
2. Unless students are participating in a school activity or are excused by the instructor, they are
expected to attend class. If a student’s absences exceed one-eighth of the total course duration,
(which equates to one hundred (100) minutes per credit hour in a face-to-face class) the instructor
has the right, but is not required, to withdraw a student from the course. Once the student has been
dropped for excessive absences, the registrar’s office will send a letter to the student, stating that he
or she has been dropped. A student may petition the chief academic officer for reinstatement by
submitting a letter stating valid reasons for the absences within one week of the registrar’s
notification. If the student is reinstated into the class, the instructor and the registrar will be
notified. Please refer to the Student Handbook/Academic Policies for more information
3. Absences that occur due to students participating in official college activities are excused except in
those cases where outside bodies, such as the State Board of Nursing, have requirements for
minimum class minutes for each student. Students who are excused will be given reasonable
opportunity to make up any missed work or receive substitute assignments from the instructor and
should not be penalized for the absence. Proper procedure should be followed in notifying faculty in
advance of the student’s planned participation in the event. Ultimately it is the student’s
responsibility to notify the instructor in advance of the planned absence.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
NCCC expects every student to demonstrate ethical behavior with regard to academic pursuits. Academic
integrity in coursework is a specific requirement. Definitions, examples, and possible consequences for
violations of Academic Integrity, as well as the appeals process, can be found in the College Catalog, Student
Handbook, and/or Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.
ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY
Student cell phones and other personal electronic devices not being used for class activities must not be
accessed during class times unless the instructor chooses to waive this policy.
NOTE:
Information and statements in this document are subject to change at the discretion of NCCC. Students
will be notified of changes and where to find the most current approved documents.
NOTE:
If you are a student with a disability who may need accommodation(s) under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), please notify studentdevelopmentteam@neosho.edu, Chanute Campus, 620-4312820, ext. 213., or Ottawa Campus, 785-242-2067 ext. 305, as soon as possible. You will need to bring
your documentation for review in order to determine reasonable accommodations, and then we can
assist you in arranging any necessary accommodations.
COURSE NOTES