Animal Behavior
BIOL-302 (3cr)
Black Hills State University
Spring 2014
_______________________________________________________________________
Date (9-9:50 AM)
Lecture Topic – LSL 129
Reading in Text
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Jan.
13
Introduction and history
Chapter 1
15
Studying Behavior
17
Studying Behavior
Chapter 10
20
No class – MLK day
22
Activity 1: Quantification of Behavior (due 2/3)
24
Activity completion
27
Genetic Regulation and Evolution of Behavior
29
Development of Behavior
Chapter 11
31
Disc: Animal Care and Use Issues/ projects
Feb.
3
Development of Behavior
5
Activity 2: Schooling Behavior in Fish (due 2/21)
7
Activity completion
10
Development of Behavior and Learning
Chapters 12
12
Behavioral Physiology
14
Behavioral Physiology
17
President’s Day – no classes
19
Midterm 1
21
Neurons and Hormones Organize Behavior
Chapter 13
24
Behavioral Adaptations for Survival
26
Activity 3: Survival Adaptations (due 3/7)
28
Communication
Chapter 4
Mar.
3
Communication
5
Communication and Dominance Interactions
7
Avoiding predators and Finding Food
Chapter 5
10-14
Have a great break - but don’t forget to study!
17
Avoiding predators and Finding Food
19
Activity 4: Pheromone Communication (due 3/26)
21
Activity completion and write up
24
Habitat Selection
Chapter 6
26
Territoriality and Migration
28
Territoriality and Migration
31
Activity 5: Dominance Interactions (due 4/14)
April
2
Activity completion and write up
4
Midterm 2
7
Sex and Reproduction
Chapter 7&8
9
Sex and Reproduction
11
Sex and Reproduction
Chapter 9
14
Parental Care
16
Evolution of Altruism
(Chapter 2)
18
No Class – Good Friday
21
Social Behavior – Vertebrate Systems
Chapter 3
23
Social Behavior – Social Insects
25
Social Behavior – Social Insects
28
Social Behavior – Social Insects (papers due)
30
Sociobiology and Human Behavior
Chapter 14
May
2
Sociobiology and Human Behavior
5
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Final Exam
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Web site:
http://www.bhsu.edu/HollyDowning
Instructor, Office and Office Hours: Dr. H. Downing – LSL 111. M, W, F 10-11, T 4-5
Phone number and email: 642-6517; Holly.Downing@BHSU.edu
Course Description: Animal behavior from many aspects, including communication, social organization,
orientation, imprinting, courtship and mating, agonistic behavior, control systems, and the evolution of behavioral
patterns. Campus Prerequisites for Course: BIOL 151 and 153.
Instructional Methods: Instructional methods include lectures and films, discussions, field and laboratory
experiments, data analysis and written assignments.
Course Text: John Alcock. 2013. Animal Behavior. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates, Inc.
Class Attendance Policy: You are expected to come to class. For obvious reasons, some activities and all
discussions in this class cannot be made-up. If you miss a lecture, it is your responsibility to get the missed
information from a classmate.
Cheating and Plagiarism Policy: In this course you are expected to perform to the utmost of your abilities in an
honest and sincere manner. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Academic misconduct will be dealt with
per BOR regulations.
Make-up Policy: If you have an excused absence, I can work with you on making up exams. Because some of the
activities have animals in particular life stages or that must be returned to the store, they present a particular problem
if missed. If you have an excused absence on an activity day, you should notify me before that date or as soon after
as possible. It is up to you to arrange to make-up all missed assignments.
Course Goals: This course is designed to teach students about the behavior of animals both as individuals and in
groups, including the causes, development, integration and evolution of behavior patterns. In addition, students will
learn about the methods involved in the study of behavior.
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking this course, students will be able to
1. Identify and explain major concepts and theories of animal behavior and evolution
Assessment – Students will be able to answer exam questions on these areas. They will also be able to write
clearly on the specific topics presented in their papers.
2. Identify the parts and explain the function and relevance of genetic and body systems in behavior
Assessment – Students will be able to answer exam questions on these areas.
3. Cite examples of key behavioral studies supporting current understanding of behavior
Assessment – Students will be able to cite such examples on exams.
4. Think critically about described or observed behavior and develop explanations that are supported by the
evidence
Assessment – Students will be able to demonstrate critical thinking on exams and in written assignments that
include activity reports and a semester project.
5. Gather and critically evaluate data using the scientific methods of behavioral research
Assessment – Students will be able to record data and statistically evaluate the data using methods learned in
class and report on their results in activity reports and the semester project (if they choose to do a research
report).
6. Write clearly, logically, and with appropriate scientific and grammatical style about experiments and
subjects in behavior
Assessment – Students will be able to write clearly, logically and with appropriate scientific and
grammatical style on their activity reports and semester project.
Grade Evaluation:
(A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70 – 79, D = 60-69, F = below 60)
2 Midterms
Final
Written Presentation of Research
5 Activity Reports
30% of total grade
20%
25%
25%
READ AND REMEMBER:
1. Midterms and Final will cover lecture and reading material. The final will be cumulative. 50%
2. Each student will be expected to do one extended project - 25%. The project must be done individually and can
be either:
A) An original study of the behavior of an animal of your choosing (within limits). At the end of the semester, each
student will hand in a seven to nine page written report on that research. The written report must include sections
labeled:
Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and References Cited
Paper should have at least one figure and one table and use at least one primary source reference that is referred to in
the introduction and compared to the research of this paper in the discussion section. Writing will be evaluated and
should be concise, clear and grammatically correct. Do not use any quotes. All sources should be cited according to
the style presented in class (Animal Behavior Journal). It is recommended but not required that at least one part of
the project involve an experiment that can be analyzed using some of the statistical methods covered in class or
learned in another class. This is a semester project, so expect to work with your animals (observations and
experiments) at least 20 hours over the course of at least two weeks.
Or B) a library research paper on some aspect of animal behavior covered in class or in the course textbook and
researched in greater detail. The paper should have a clear thesis statement and result in a synthesis of ideas that is
original. You should provide a cited references page at the end of your paper with complete journal information
following the Animal Behaviour journal style. In addition, the paper should be at least 10 full pages long (of text)
and based on a minimum of 7 primary literature articles on behavior or relevant topics. The title page, abstract (if
included), references cited and any figures or tables will not be counted in the 10 pages. The articles must be
handed in with the paper. Writing will be evaluated and should be concise, clear and grammatically correct. Do
not use any quotes. All sources should be cited according to the style presented in class (Animal Behaviour journal).
Papers should be double spaced, 12 font, and have 1 inch margins.
3. Students will also be expected to hand in five short (2-5 pages) activity reports on exercises done in class. These
are often done in groups, but the write-up must be done individually - 25% . Any written responses to questions
should be full sentences and grammatically correct.
Note: Sincerely held religious beliefs will be reasonably accommodated with respect to scheduling exams. For
obvious reasons activities done in class cannot be made up in most cases.
ADA Statement: “Reasonable accommodations, as arranged through the Disabilities Services Coordinator, will be
provided for students with documented disabilities. Contact the BHSU Disabilities Services Coordinator, Mike
McNeil, at 605-642-6099, (Jacket Legacy Room in the Student Union) or via email at mike.mcneil@bhsu.edu for
more information. Additional information can also be found at
http://www.bhsu.edu/StudentLife/Learning/DisabilityServices/tabid/162/Default.aspx”
Freedom in learning. Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be
evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.
Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve
judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which
they are enrolled. Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration
of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact their college dean to initiate a review
of the evaluation.
Course Attendance: In general, enrollment in a class implies the responsibility for attending each class session.
However, the attendance policy for a specific class is at the discretion of the faculty member teaching that class and
will be outlined in the course syllabus. Students will be allowed to make up graded work if an absence is due to
participation in university-sponsored activities, provided prior notification of the impending absence has been given
to the instructor.