Animal Behavior (BIOL366) – 4 Credits, Writing Intensive
Summer I 2015
Instructor:
Dr. Michelle Vieyra
Email: michellev@usca.edu
Office: Science 111b
Office Phone: 803-641-3608
Lecture:
MTWR 1pm-5pm, Science 107
Textbook:
Required: Course pack/ lab manual – Only available at the USCA bookstore
Suggested: Animal Behavior: Mechanisms, Ecology, Evolution by Drickamer
Mandatory Zoo Trip: Friday, June 5th. Students will have to pay for zoo admission.
Course Description and Objectives:
This course will examine the mechanistic side of behavior: how animals collect, process and
respond to information in their environment, as well as the evolutionary side of behavior: what
advantages do these mechanistic traits and behaviors have and why have they evolved over time.
We will cover specific topics in animal behavior to include communication, courtship,
aggression, foraging, habitat selection, and cooperation. After completing this course you should
understand the basic concepts in behavioral biology and be familiar with many of the studies that
have facilitated our understanding of animal behavior.
Meeting with me:
If you have questions or need help with anything in this course please email me and/or set up an
appointment to meet with me before class. I will generally get to campus around 10am M-Th.
Attendance/ Skipping Assignments:
Lecture: I will not be taking attendance but the exams are entirely from my lectures so it is in
your best interest to attend every class. Unless you miss an exam I do not need to know why you
are absent. It is your responsibility to get missed lecture material from another student (I do not
provide class notes). If you are absent on an exam day, the exam may be made-up under
documented circumstances. You must inform me via email the day of the exam and schedule a
make-up exam at that time. Exams must be made-up within 2 class days.
Lab: Missing lab is more difficult since you will be doing group activities that earn points. If
you miss a lab activity you will NOT be able to make up graded assignments (such as the short
proposals, movie write-ups). If you are absent the day your group does an experiment with an
accompanying lab report or presentation you will NOT be allowed to get the data from a group
member or participate in the group presentation. You may be able to run an experiment on your
own and generate data to write about/ present. This is contingent on scheduling issues and
availability of the classroom and is not guaranteed. Without data you can still write a
background and methods section for partial credit.
Papers: Because this is a writing intensive class you DO NOT have the option of skipping any of
the three big writing assignments (2 lab reports and a research proposal). Failure to complete
these assignments will result in an F in the class.
Evaluation:
Exams: There will be four exams throughout the semester as noted on the calendar. They will
only cover the material given since the previous exam and will be worth 100 points each. Expect
a combination of multiple-choice, fill in the blank and short answer questions on each exam.
Research Proposal (Big Paper): You will write a 50 point research proposal for an experiment
in animal behavior. You will be graded on how well you researched your topic – a minimum of
4 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.
LATE WRITING ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE GIVEN A GRADE REDUCTION OF 10% PER DAY.
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 come up with
reasonable, testable hypotheses. You will do this as a group and turn in 3 short proposals worth
10 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 Practical Quiz: There will be one practical laboratory quiz over identification of the
anatomy of the mammalian brain and eye worth 30 points.
Grade breakdown:
Exams (4)
Grading Scale:
100 points each
400 point total
50 points total
585-650
A
555-584
B+
520-554
B
Research Proposal
50 points
Lab Reports (2)
25 points each
Presentations (2)
25 points each
50 points total
490-519
C+
Short proposals (3)
10 points each
30 points total
455-489
C
Movie Write-ups (4)
10 points each
40 points total
425-454
D+
Brain & Eye Quiz
30 points
30 points total
390-424
D
Below 390
F
50 points total
Total:
650 points
Course Calendar: Summer 2015
Date
1-Jun
2-Jun
3-Jun
4-Jun
5-Jun
8-Jun
9-Jun
10-Jun
11-Jun
15-Jun
16-Jun
17-Jun
18-Jun
22-Jun
23-Jun
24-Jun
Lecture Topic
Syllabus/ Intro
Genetics
Evolution
Mechanisms: Nervous
THIS IS A FRIDAY!!!
EXAM 1
Mechanisms - Sensory
Mechanisms - Hormones
Biorhythms
Learning
Exam 2
Communication
Aggression
Predators/Prey
Exam 3
Mating I
25-Jun
29-Jun
30-Jun
1-Jul
Mating II
Parenting
Migration/ Habitat
Exam 4
Lab Activity
Fly Taxis I
Fly Taxis II
Fly Lab Report Prep
Ethograms / Groups plan for zoo
Mandatory Zoo Field Trip
Zoo Lab Report Prep
Brain & Eye Dissection
Practical quiz/ Big paper prep
Big Paper Prep
Movie - Animal Minds
Sign Stimulus I
Sign Stimulus II
Movie - Signals & Song, Group Prep
Group Presentation
Predator/ Prey I
Predator/ Prey II
Movie - Finding Partners, Group
Prep
Group Presentation II
Movie - Parenting
Things due
Short Proposal I (done in class)
Show me sources
Lab Report I
Show me sources
Lab Report II
Show me sources
Big Paper
Movie write-up I/ Short Proposal II
Movie write-up II
Short Proposal III (done in class)
Movie write-up III
Movie write-up IV
Electronic Devices:
I do not want to see a cell phone in your hand during class. If I see a cell phone or other
electronic device while you are taking an exam I will take your exam and give you a ZERO.
No exceptions!
Feel free to take notes on a laptop or tablet but please avoid visiting disruptive or distracting
websites during class.
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. Violation of the honor code will result in a zero on the
assignment/ exam and letter to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.
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.