Animal Behavior (ABIO 366) – 4 Credits
Spring 2010
Instructor:
Dr. Michelle Vieyra
Phone: (803)641-3608
Office: SBDG 209
Lab: SBDG 219B
Email: michellev@usca.edu
Lecture:
Lab:
SBDG 103: MWF 9-9:50AM
SBDG 103: M 10AM-12:40PM
Textbook:
Lab Manual:
Principles of Animal Behavior 2nd Edition, Dugatkin
Animal Behavior Laboratory Manual and Writing Guide, Vieyra
Required Saturday Field Trip: March 20, 9am- 4pm
Course Description and Objectives: In this course we will investigate animal behavior
within an evolutionary context. We will examine the mechanistic side of behavior- how
animals collect and process information from the environment and how they respond to
it. We will also explore the evolutionary side of behavior – what advantages do
mechanistic traits and behaviors have and why have they evolved over time. After
completing this course you should understand basic concepts in behavioral biology and
be familiar with many of the experiments that have facilitated our understanding of
animal behavior. Through hands on experimentation in the laboratory portion of this
course you will also become practiced at constructing hypotheses, designing experiments,
and analyzing data that addresses behavioral phenomena.
Evaluation:
Exams: There will be five lecture exams throughout the semester as noted on the
calendar. They will only cover the material given since the previous exam and be worth
100 points each. Expect a combination of multiple-choice, matching, true/false, fill in the
blank, short answer and essay questions on each exam.
Writing assignment: Your writing assignment will be to write a research proposal for an
experiment in animal behavior. You will be graded on how well you researched your
topic – a minimum of 5 primary research articles will be required, as well as how well
your experimental design reflects an understanding of what makes a good experiment.
More information on this assignment can be found in your writing guide.
Lab Reports: You will write 2 lab reports worth 25 points each. Although you will
conduct experiments as a group the paper must be an individual effort. “Sharing” the
effort will result in a zero for everyone involved. More information on how to write a
proper lab report can be found in your writing guide.
Group Presentations: You will give 2 group presentations in lab worth 25 points each.
This will be a group effort and everyone in the group will receive the same grade. The
presentation will be in the form of an oral lab report. More information on what you need
to include in your presentations is available in your writing guide.
Short Proposals: In the lab you will be designing your own experiments and coming up
with reasonable, testable hypotheses. You will do this as a group and turn in 3 short
proposals worth 20 points each. Everyone in the group receives the same grade and the
grade will be based on how well you incorporate the principals of the scientific method.
Movie Write-ups: We will be watching several documentaries demonstrating principles
learned in lecture. You will be asked to write four papers worth 10 points each
discussing the movie and how it related to the lecture material. Your grade will be based
on proper understanding and application of lecture concepts.
Lab Quiz: There will be one practical laboratory quiz over identification of the anatomy
of the mammalian brain and eye worth 25 points.
Grade breakdown:
Exams (5)
100 points each
500 point total
Writing Assignment
50 points
50 points total
Lab Reports (2)
25 points each
50 points total
Presentations (2)
25 points each
50 points total
Short proposals (3)
20 points each
60 points total
Movie Write-ups (4)
10 points each
40 points total
Brain & Eye Quiz
25 points
25 points total
Total:
775 points
Grading Scale:
700-775
660-699
620-659
580-619
540-579
500-539
465-499
Below 465
A
B+
B
C+
C
D+
D
F
Additional Business:
You are expected to follow the honor pledge on every assignment:
“On my honor as a University of South Carolina at Aiken student, I have neither given nor received any
unauthorized aid on the assignment/examination. To the best of my knowledge, I am not in violation of
academic dishonesty.” This includes plagiarism which will be covered in more detail when I assign papers.
If you have a physical, psychological and/or learning disability which might affect your performance in this
course please contact the Office of Disability Services, 126A B&E, (803)641-3609 as soon as possible.
It is the instructor’s right to remove from the classroom any student who disrupts or disturbs the proceeding
of the class. Disruption of the class includes but is not limited to the use of any portable electronic devices,
including cell phones, MP3 players; iPods, etc. unless prior approval has been given to a student or unless
required for the course. In extreme cases the faculty member can request assistance from University
Police. If the student who has been ejected causes similar disturbances in subsequent meetings of the class,
he/she may be denied admittance to the class for the remainder of the semester and assigned a grade of F.
Spring 2010 Animal Behavior Lecture Calendar
Date
Lecture Topic
11-Jan
Intro, Proximate vs. Ultimate factors
13-Jan
History of the Science of Behavior
15-Jan
How to Study Behavior
18-Jan
NO CLASS - MLK DAY
20-Jan
Scientific Method
22-Jan
Genetics of Behavior
25-Jan
Darwin and Natural Selection
27-Jan
Evolution of Behavior
29-Jan
Speciation and Phylogeny
1-Feb
EXAM 1
3-Feb
Basic Neurophysiology
5-Feb
The Brain in Behavior
8-Feb
Sensory Systems
10-Feb
The Senses and Behavior
12-Feb
Filters and Command Centers
15-Feb
Hormones and Behavior I
17-Feb
Hormones and Behavior II
19-Feb
Biorhythms
22-Feb
EXAM 2
24-Feb
Innate Behavior and Early Experiences
26-Feb
How animals learn
1-Mar
What and why animals learn
3-Mar
Cultural Transmission of Learning
5-Mar
Animal Communication
March 8-12
NO CLASS ALL WEEK - SPRING BREAK
15-Mar
More on Animal Communication
17-Mar
Aggression & Dominance I
19-Mar
Aggression and Dominance II
22-Mar
EXAM 3
24-Mar
Reproductive Strategies I
26-Mar
Reproductive Strategies II
29-Mar
Reproductive Strategies III
Feb-31
Mating Systems I
2-Apr
Mating Systems II
5-Apr
Parenting
7-Apr
Kinship
9-Apr
Cooperation
12-Apr
EXAM 4
14-Apr
Migration and Orientation
16-Apr
Habitat Selection I
19-Apr
Habitat Selection II
21-Apr
Feeding/ Foraging I
23-Apr
Feeding/ Foraging II
26-Apr
Predator Avoidance Strategies
5-May
EXAM 5 9AM
Chapter
1
2
3
4
5
12
14
6
7
8
9
13
10
11
Spring 2010 Animal Behavior Lab Calendar
Date
Experiment/ Activity
11-Jan NO LAB
18-Jan NO LAB - MLK DAY
25-Jan Fly Taxis I
1-Feb Fly Taxis II
8-Feb Brain & Eye Dissection
15-Feb Movie - Animal Minds
22-Feb Betta Fish Sign Stimuli I
1-Mar Betta Fish Sign Stimuli II
8-Mar NO LAB - SPRING BREAK
15-Mar Intro to Ethograms
20-Mar SATURDAY ZOO TRIP 9am-4pm
22-Mar Movie - Signals and Songs
29-Mar Movie - Finding Partners
5-Apr Predator/Prey Strategies I
12-Apr Predator/Prey Strategies II
19-Apr Movie - Plant predators
Projects Due
Short Proposal I
Lab Report I
Brain & eye anatomy quiz
Short Proposal II
Presentation I
Lab Report II
Short Proposal III
Presentation II
If you have questions or need help with anything in this course please email me and
set up an appointment to meet. I will generally be available every afternoon but I
can not guarantee I will be in my office unless you set up an appointment with me.