UCC/UGC/ECCC
Proposal for New Course
Please attach proposed Syllabus in approved university format.
1. Course subject and number: BSC 366
2. Units:
See upper and lower division undergraduate course definitions.
3. College:
Extended Campuses
4. Academic Unit:
3
Department of Arts and
Sciences
5. Student Learning Outcomes of the new course. (Resources & Examples for Developing Course Learning
Outcomes)
1. Explain historical roots of ethology
2. Contrast between proximate and ultimate
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
causes of animal behavior (Tinbergen’s Four
Questions), and apply these approaches to study design.
Describe animal behavior in a phylogenetic context and the influence of ancestry on
behavior
Explain proximate causes of behavior from the standpoints of hormones, neurobiology,
genetics, and development
Compare the role of learning in animal behavior, including individual learning and various
forms of cultural transmission
Explain why various mating systems exist and the role of sexual selection in influencing
mating behaviors
Describe causes for altruistic behavior while considering kinship, cooperation, and social
groups
Explain principles of optimal foraging and how risk influences foraging decisions
Compare various approaches to avoiding predation and how to interact with predators if
encountered
Compare roles of communication and honesty or dishonesty in signaling
Compare ideal free distribution model and habitat choice and what influences territoriality
Compare game theory models of aggression and winner, loser, and bystander effects
Compare types and functions of play in animals
Compare whether animals have “personalities” and what role personalities can play
Develop a small animal behavior research project using valid scientific techniques.
6. Justification for new course, including how the course contributes to degree program outcomes,
or other university requirements / student learning outcomes. (Resources, Examples & Tools for Developing
Effective Program Student Learning Outcomes).
This course will contribute to the degree requirements of the environmental and biological science
degree and can be used as a course to satisfy the liberal arts requirements of scientific inquiry for
other degrees.
Effective Fall 2012
7. Effective BEGINNING of what term and year?
See effective dates calendar.
Fall 2014
8. Long course title: Behavior of Animals
(max 100 characters including spaces)
9. Short course title: Behavior of Animals
(max. 30 characters including spaces)
10. Catalog course description (max. 60 words, excluding requisites):
The course will examine the development, underlying neurology and physiology, adaptive function,
and application of behavior in animals.
11. Will this course be part of any plan (major, minor or certificate) or sub plan (emphasis)?
Yes
If yes, include the appropriate plan proposal.
No
12. Does this course duplicate content of existing courses?
Yes
No
If yes, list the courses with duplicate material. If the duplication is greater than 20%, explain why
NAU should establish this course.
BIO 366. BSC courses were created to meet the needs, requirements, and degree requirements
associated with the biological science degree that builds on the partnership with community colleges
in the Lower Colorado River region.
13. Will this course impact any other academic unit’s enrollment or plan(s)?
Yes
No
If yes, describe the impact. If applicable, include evidence of notification to and/or response from
each impacted academic unit
14. Grading option:
Letter grade
Pass/Fail
Both
15. Co-convened with:
N/A
14a. UGC approval date*:
(For example: ESE 450 and ESE 550) See co-convening policy.
*Must be approved by UGC before UCC submission, and both course syllabi must be presented.
16. Cross-listed with:
N/A
(For example: ES 450 and DIS 450) See cross listing policy.
Please submit a single cross-listed syllabus that will be used for all cross-listed courses.
17. May course be repeated for additional units?
16a. If yes, maximum units allowed?
16b. If yes, may course be repeated for additional units in the same term?
Effective Fall 2012
Yes
No
Yes
No
18. Prerequisites:
BIO 182
If prerequisites, include the rationale for the prerequisites.
BIO 182 builds a fundamental scientific foundation that will adequately prepare students to succeed in
this course.
19. Co requisites:
None
If co requisites, include the rationale for the co requisites.
20. Does this course include combined lecture and lab components?
Yes
If yes, include the units specific to each component in the course description above.
21. Names of the current faculty qualified to teach this course:
No
Dr. Kevin Young
Answer 22-23 for UCC/ECCC only:
22. Is this course being proposed for Liberal Studies designation?
If yes, include a Liberal Studies proposal and syllabus with this proposal.
Yes
23. Is this course being proposed for Diversity designation?
If yes, include a Diversity proposal and syllabus with this proposal.
Yes
FLAGSTAFF MOUNTAIN CAMPUS
Reviewed by Curriculum Process Associate
Date
Approvals:
Department Chair/Unit Head (if appropriate)
Date
Chair of college curriculum committee
Date
Dean of college
Date
For Committee use only:
UCC/UGC Approval
Effective Fall 2012
Date
No
No
Approved as submitted:
Yes
No
Approved as modified:
Yes
No
EXTENDED CAMPUSES
Jenny Scott
10.16.13
Reviewed by Curriculum Process Associate
Date
Approvals:
Academic Unit Head
Date
Division Curriculum Committee (Yuma, Yavapai, or Personalized Learning)
Date
Division Administrator in Extended Campuses (Yuma, Yavapai, or Personalized
Learning)
Date
Faculty Chair of Extended Campuses Curriculum Committee (Yuma, Yavapai, or
Personalized Learning)
Date
Chief Academic Officer; Extended Campuses (or Designee)
Date
Approved as submitted:
Yes
No
Approved as modified:
Yes
No
Effective Fall 2012
COURSE SYLLABUS – APPROVED FORMAT
General Information
 Northern Arizona University- Yuma; Department of Arts and Sciences
 BSC 366, Behavior of Animals
 Fall 2014
 3 hrs. Lecture, 3 credit hours
 Dr. Kevin Young
 Science and Research building, Office 112
 Office hours: Monday/Wednesday 8:00am to 9:00am and 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Course prerequisites
BIO 182
Course Corequisite
None
Course description:
The course will examine the development, underlying neurology and physiology, adaptive function, and
application of behavior in animals.
Student Learning Expectations/Outcomes for this Course
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Explain historical roots of ethology
Contrast between proximate and ultimate causes of animal behavior (Tinbergen’s Four Questions), and
apply these approaches to study design.
3.
Describe animal behavior in a phylogenetic context and the influence of ancestry on behavior
4.
Explain proximate causes of behavior from the standpoints of hormones, neurobiology, genetics, and
development
5.
Compare the role of learning in animal behavior, including individual learning and various forms of
cultural transmission
6.
Explain why various mating systems exist and the role of sexual selection in influencing mating
behaviors
7.
Describe causes for altruistic behavior while considering kinship, cooperation, and social groups
8.
Explain principles of optimal foraging and how risk influences foraging decisions
9.
Compare various approaches to avoiding predation and how to interact with predators if encountered
10.
Compare roles of communication and honesty or dishonesty in signaling
11.
Compare ideal free distribution model and habitat choice and what influences territoriality
12.
Compare game theory models of aggression and winner, loser, and bystander effects
13.
Compare types and functions of play in animals
14.
Compare whether animals have “personalities” and what role personalities can play
15.
Develop a small animal behavior research project using valid scientific techniques.
1.
2.
Effective Fall 2012
Course structure/approach:
The course may involve one or more of the following approaches: lecture and discussion; application exercises;
scheduled activities; case analysis; team projects; field trips, speakers with relevant expertise, and/or other
activities as appropriate to achieve learning outcomes.
Textbook and required materials: Student learning is facilitated with textbooks, readings, audio-visual
content, software, and/or other materials
Recommended optional materials/references (attach reading list): None
Course outline:
Week 1: Introduction and Principles of Animal Behavior
Week 2: Evolution of Behavior
Week 3: Proximate Factors
Week 4: Learning
Week 5: Cultural Transmission
Week 6: Sexual Selection
Week 7: Mating Systems
Week 8: Kinship
Week 9: Cooperation
Week 10: Foraging
Week 11: Antipredator Behavior
Week 12: Communication
Week 13: Habitat Selection, Territorality, and Migration
Week 14: Aggression and Play
Week 15: Aging & Disease
Week 16: Animal Personalities
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
 Methods of Assessment: In-class exams, homework, in-class activities, research paper, and/or
presentations.
 Timeline for Assessment: Over the course of the semester
Grading System:
Letter grades for the course will be determined based on the percentage of the total points as follows:
90-100%
A Excellent
80-89%
B Good
70-79%
C Average
60-69%
D Lowest passing
<60%
F Failure
Course policy:
Retests/makeup tests:
No make-up exams or re-tests except for what the instructor may deem as extenuating circumstances.
Attendance Policy:
Under NAU Policy, students are expected to attend every session of the class in which they are enrolled.
Effective Fall 2012
Statement on plagiarism and cheating:
DON’T CHEAT!
Please refer to the NAU Student Handbook policy statement on Academic Integrity. Academic honesty does not
allow "plagiarism — knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one's own" (2005, Undergraduate
General Academic and Graduation Policies).
If your instructor determines that you are guilty of plagiarism he deserves the right to give you a zero on the
alleged assignment up to failing the course in question. All incidents regardless will be reported to the
university.
University policies
Attach the Safe Working and Learning Environment, Students with Disabilities, Institutional Review Board,
and Academic Integrity policies or reference them on the syllabus. See the following document for policy
statements: http://www4.nau.edu/avpaa/UCCPolicy/plcystmt.html.
Your instructor reserves the right to make any changes to the course policies, schedule, or any other aspect of
the class as he sees fit.
Effective Fall 2012