Professor:
Email:
Ethan Clotfelter edclotfelter@amherst.edu
Phone:
Office:
542-2252 (lab: 542-8327)
229 LSB (lab: 223 LSB)
Office hours: M 10:00 am-12:00 pm, T 1:00-2:00 pm
Lecture hours:
Lecture room:
9:00-9:50 MWF (4th hour 1:00-1:50 T)
Merrill 4
Readings (required): e-reserves available via CMS portal (“My Academics”)
Lab hours:
Lab room(s):
WTh 2:00-6:00 pm
336 LSB
Date
Sept 8
9
11
14
16
18
21
23
25
28
30
Oct 2
5
7
9
12
14
16
19
21
23
26
28
30
Topic
Introduction to the course – what is behavior?
Approaches to studying behavior
Approaches to studying behavior
Behavior genetics
Behavior genetics
Learning
Learning
Imprinting, behavioral development
Neuroethology
Neuroethology
Behavioral endocrinology
Behavioral endocrinology
Biological rhythms
Exam #3
Orientation, navigation, migration
Mid-semester break – no class
Orientation, navigation, migration
Dispersal and habitat selection
Territoriality
Foraging behavior
Foraging behavior
Antipredator behavior
Communication
Communication
Readings
1
2-3
4-5
6-8
9-11
12-15
16-17
18
19-20
21-23
24
25-27
28-30
31-32
33-35
36-37
38-39
40-41
42-44
45

Nov 2
4
6
9
Dominance and fighting
Exam #2
EDC away – no class
Sexual selection and mate choice
11
13
Sexual selection and mate choice
Sexual selection and mate choice
16
18
Mating systems
Mating systems
20 Parental investment
23-27 Thanksgiving recess – no class
30
Dec 2
Case study: parental investment in tree swallows
Social behavior
4
7
9
11
Social behavior
Animal cultural traditions
Animal language
Animal cognition
14 Animal cognition
16/17 Exam #3
Date
Oct 6
Nov 3
Dec 15
Topic
Finish material, review for Exam #1 if needed
Finish material, review for Exam #2 if needed
Finish material, review for Exam #3 if needed
Dates
Sept 9-10
16-17
23-24
30, Oct 1
Oct 7-8
14-15
21-22
28-29
Nov 4-5
11-12
18-19
25-26
Dec 2-3
9-10
Lab
46-48
No labs
Courtship and mating in Tenebrio molitor beetles
Learning in fighting fish Betta splendens
Path integration in humans (field) †‡ + continue Betta learning lab
Habitat selection and dispersal in sow bugs
“Dear enemy” phenomenon in Betta splendens
Optimal foraging in birds
TBA (field) ‡
(field) ‡
EC away – no lab
Alarm cues in zebrafish
Winner and loser effects in crayfish + set-up burying beetle lab
Thanksgiving break – no lab
Honest signaling of fighting ability in crayfish + finish burying beetle lab
Coloration and mate choice in guppies
49-50
51-52
53-56
57-58
59-60
61-62
63
64-66
67-68
69-71
72-74
75-76
77-78
2

3
† Path integration lab will be postponed if conditions are overcast, and will be replaced with the sow bug lab from the following week. Check your email by noon on lab day for a decision from me.
‡ For all field labs, dress appropriately for the weather. October field 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.
Assignment
Lab write-ups
Exams (3 @ 15% each) †
Participation in class and lab
Percent of total grade
45%
15%
40%
Total 100%
† Exams are non-cumulative, and thus each one will cover the lecture material and the course readings for approximately one third of the course. Exams will be made up of several short essays and will be of an “open book” format. You may also be asked to draw or interpret graphs.