BIOLOGY 281: ANIMAL BEHAVIOR – FALL 2011
Professor:
Email:
Phone:
Ethan Clotfelter
edclotfelter@amherst.edu
542-2252
Office:
Office hours:
229 LSB (lab: 223 LSB)
M 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Tu 1:00-3:00 pm
Lectures:
Room:
Readings:
MWF 9:00-9:50 am
Merrill 403
e-reserves on course website
Labs:
Th 2:00-6:00 pm
Lab room:
Life Sciences 336
Lab TA: Rose Larios ’12 (rlarios12@amherst.edu)
Lecture schedule
Date
Sept
Oct
Nov
Topic
7
9
12
14
16
19
21
23
26
28
30
3
5
7
10
12
14
17
19
21
24
26
28
31
2
4
7
9
11
14
16
18
21-25
28
30
Approaches to studying behavior
Approaches to studying behavior
Behavior genetics
Behavior genetics
Readings on behavior genetics
Learning
Learning
Readings on learning
Imprinting, kin recognition
Imprinting, kin recognition
Readings on imprinting and kin recognition
Behavioral endocrinology
Biological rhythms
Readings on behavioral endocrinology and biological rhythms
Mid-semester break – no class
Exam 1
Orientation, navigation, migration
Orientation, navigation, migration
Readings on orientation, navigation and migration
Dispersal and habitat selection
Territoriality
Readings on dispersal, habitat selection and territoriality
Foraging behavior
Antipredator behavior
Readings on foraging and antipredator behavior
Communication
Communication
Readings on communication
Exam 2
Sexual selection and mate choice
Sexual selection and mate choice
Readings on sexual selection and mate choice
Thanksgiving break – no class
Mating systems
Mating systems
2
Dec
2
5
7
9
12
14
TBA
Parental investment
Readings on mating systems and parental investment
Social behavior
Social behavior
Animal cultural traditions
Readings on social behavior and animal cultural traditions
Exam 3
Laboratory schedule
Dates
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Lab
8
15
22
29
6
13
20
27
3
10
17
24
1
8
No lab
Behavior of insect pollinators ‡
Learning in fish
Learning in fish
“Dear enemy” phenomenon in Betta splendens
Field trip ‡
Foraging and antipredator behavior in birds ‡
Foraging and antipredator behavior in birds ‡
Winner and loser effects in crayfish
Honest signaling of fighting ability in crayfish
Introduce dog cognition lab + set-up burying beetle lab
Thanksgiving break – no lab
Finish burying beetle lab + continue dog cognition lab
Dog cognition lab
‡ For these field labs, dress appropriately for the weather. Labs will still be held in light rain, cold or even
snow. Be prepared to be sedentary for an hour or more. If conditions are particularly inclement, check your
email by noon on lab day for a decision from me about whether or not lab will be postponed.
Grading
Assignment
Percent of total grade
Exams †
Participation in reading discussions
Lab assignments ‡
Total
45%
20%
35%
100%
† Exams are non-cumulative, and thus each one will be based on the lecture material and course readings for
approximately one third of the course. Exams will be weighted to reflect the number of lectures they cover.
‡ There will be approximately 6-7 written lab assignments of varying length, ranging from the answers to a few
questions to a full lab report.