Editorially Revised 3-22-06
University Curriculum Committee
Course Proposal Form
for Courses Numbered 0001 – 4999
(Faculty Senate Resolution #04–18, April 2004)
Note: Before completing this form, please read the accompanying instructions
carefully.
1. Course Prefix and Number:
BIOL 3740, 3741
2. Date:
10/25/06
3. Requested Action (check only one box):
x
New Course
Revision of Active Course
Revision & Unbanking of a Banked Course
Renumbering of an Existing Course
from #
to
#
4. Justification for new course or course revision or renumbering:
Assessment of Biology majors over the last 5 years has revealed that on
average students are not meeting our goals of achievement in the broad areas
of 1. organismal biology, and 2. population biology, evolution and ecology.
This course would help increase competence in these areas. As well, this
course will help to redress deficiencies in the Biology curriculum in animal
behavior, hypothesis testing and experimental design. It will give students
valuable tools needed to develop a research project, and will encourage critical
thinking.
5. Course description exactly as it should appear in the next catalog:
3740, 3741 Animal Behavior (4,0) (WI*) (F) 3 lecture and 2 discussion hours per
week. P: BIOL 1100, 1200; RP: BIOL 2250. Introduction to animal behavior with
emphasis on experimental approaches.
Topics include evolution and
development of behavior, neural mechanisms, instinct, communication,
foraging and reproductive behavior, and sociobiology.
6. If this is a course revision, briefly describe the requested change:
N/A
7. Undergraduate Catalog Page Number from current undergraduate catalog:
307
2
8. The Writing Across the Curriculum Committee must approve Writing Intensive
(WI) credit for all courses prior to their consideration by the UCC. If WI credit is
requested, has this course been approved for Writing Intensive (WI) credit?
Yes
No
Yes
If Yes, will all sections be Writing Intensive (yes/no)?
Yes
No
No
9. Any course requesting Foundations Curriculum credit must be
reviewed by Academic Standards Committee prior to their consideration by
the UCC. If FC credit has been approved by the ASC, then check the
appropriate box (check at most one), otherwise leave all boxes blank.
English (EN)
Humanities (HU)
Fine Arts (FA)
Health (HL)
10. Course Credit:
Lecture
3
Hours
2
Lab
Science (SC)
Social Science (SO)
Mathematics (MA)
Exercise (EX)
Per
Term
Per
Weekly OR
Term
Per
Studio
Weekly OR
Term
Per
Practicum
Weekly OR
Term
Per
Internship
Weekly OR
Term
Other (e.g., independent study) Please explain.
Weekly
OR
Credit
Hours
Credit
Hours
Credit
Hours
Credit
Hours
Credit
Hours
Total Credit Hours 4
11. Anticipated yearly student enrollment: 40
12. Affected Degrees or Academic Programs:
s.h.
s.h.
s.h.
s.h.
s.h.
s.h.
3
Degree(s)/Course(s)
13.
Current
Catalog Page
Changes in Degree Hours
Overlap or Duplication with Affected Units or Programs:
Not Applicable
x
Applicable (notification and responses from affected units are
attached)
14. Approval by the Council for Teacher Education (required for courses affecting
teacher education programs):
x
Not Applicable
Applicable (CTE has given its approval.)
15.
Statements of Support:
x
Current staff is adequate
Additional staff is needed (describe needs in the box below):
x
Current facilities are adequate
Additional facilities are needed (describe needs in the box below):
x
Initial library resources are adequate
Initial resources are needed (in the box below, give a brief
explanation and an estimate for the cost of acquisition of required
initial resources):
x
Unit computer resources are adequate
Additional unit computer resources are needed (in the box below,
give a brief explanation and an estimate for the cost of acquisition):
ITCS resources are not needed
The following ITCS resources are needed (put a check beside each
need):
4
x
Mainframe computer system
Statistical services
Network connections
Computer lab for students
(* occasional use only)
Remember to forward email approval from the director of ITCS to
UCC.
16. Syllabus – please insert course syllabus below. You must include (a) the
name of the textbook chosen for the course, (b) the course objectives, (c) the
course content outline, and (d) the course assignments and grading plan.
(a) Text: John Alcock 2005 Animal Behavior 8th edition
Reader: Paul W. Sherman and John Alcock 2005. Exploring Animal Behavior: Readings
from American Scientist 4th edition
(b) Objectives:
This course will introduce students to the field of animal behavior reviewing classical
behavioral studies through to modern interdisciplinary approaches. The course will
emphasize experimental design, objectivity and ethics in behavioral studies.
Students taking this course will gain
 the ability to critically evaluate studies in animal behavior
 skills in researching a scientific report using the primary literature
 the ability to develop a hypothesis with testable predictions
 experience in designing an experiment
 experience in collecting and analyzing behavioral data
 scientific writing skills
 confidence in critical thinking
(c) Course content outline:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Lecture topics
Evolution of behavior
Levels of analysis
Development of behavior
Neural mechanisms
Organization of behavior
Instinct and adaptations for survival
Foraging behavior
Midterm exam
Migration and territoriality
Communication
5
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Sex roles and mate choice
Mating systems
Parental care
Research paper due
Week 13
Social behavior
Week 14
Human Behavior
Final exam
(d) Assignments and grading plan:
Lab reports / participation
Midterm exam
Research paper
Final exam
30%
20%
20%
30%
Grading Scheme (12.5 point scale)
A
87.5-100
B
75-87
C
62.5-74.4
D
50-62
F
<50
The research paper will be written in the format of a proposal. Students will research
and design an appropriately controlled lab- or field-based behavioral experiment with
attention to both scientific objectivity and ethical considerations. The students will
develop their own hypotheses based on literature research, and formulate testable
predictions. Students will be evaluated on the originality, feasibility, and scientific rigor
of their proposals as well as their ability to communicate their ideas in writing.