Biology 121P: Biological Basis of Behavior (Spring 2014)
General Information:
Professor: Dr. Terrie Vasilopoulos, 207B Sage Hall, terrievas@gmail.com
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 2:30-4:30 and by appointment.
Lecture Schedule: MWF, 1:30-2:20 (213 Sage Hall)
Lab Schedule: M, 2:30-5:15 or T, 8:30-11:15 (125 Sage Hall)
Textbook: Behavioral Biology (Special Edition for Stetson University), Lab Manual
Course Overview (from Catalogue): The study of behavior at all levels; from cellular processes to human
cognition. Specifically, this course will cover the cell biology, genetics, organ systems, and physiology
underlying animal behavior. Evolutionary and ecological influences on behavior also will be addressed.
The laboratory exercises will provide hands-on experiences to reinforce the concepts covered in lecture
and expose students to the use of the scientific method. This course is designed specifically for
Psychology majors.
Grades: Based on 4 lecture exams (40%), the final exam (15%), quizzes (10%), assignments (5%), and labs
(30%).
Exams: Exams will include material covered in the lectures and the assigned readings. The lecture exams
will only include material covered since the last exam. The final exam will contain a section with specific
questions on the material covered in the last section of the course and a cumulative section. You must be
present the day of exams unless given permission by me beforehand or can prove a medical or
personal emergency. If you know that you are going to miss an exam you need to arrange to take it
before the scheduled date.
Quizzes: There will be a 10 short quizzes administered via Blackboard (except 1st quiz which is in class).
Typically each quiz will open after the specified lecture time and will be open for 2 days. Quizzes should be
completed before midnight of the 2nd day (see class schedule below). The purpose of these is to help you
keep up with the material and get feedback about your progress throughout the semester. You may drop 2
quizzes.
Assignments: There will be several assignments relating to how scientific research is reported in the media.
The class will be given a topic for which they are to find an online popular press article (e.g. NY Times,
NPR, ABC News, etc.). It is important that the article contains a comments section for the general public.
You will then be required to write a short review (750-1000 words, 10-12 pt. font) that: 1) summarizes the
article, including the research question and findings, 2) comments on the impact of the findings, 3)
comments on the clarity of the article, and 4) summarizes the general reaction to the research from the
public (i.e. look through the comments section and summarize the most common positive and negative
responses). The write-up must also include a link to the article. Assignments will be submitted to
Blackboard. The assignment instructions will also be discussed in class. If you have trouble finding an
article, I can help! Assignment descriptions can be found below the class schedule on this syllabus.
Labs: All lab exercises are in the lab manual. Lab assignments will be due the week after they are assigned.
More information will be given during the lab period. Note: There will not be a lab every week, so look at
the lab schedule carefully!
Attendance: Attendance will not be taken at the lectures; however, repeated absences will hurt your grade.
You are required to attend your assigned lab each week.
1
Academic Honor: It is expected that all exams and assignments will be your own work. Obviously, on
exams and quizzes you can neither give nor receive assistance of any kind. Although you should discuss
your ideas for lab reports with your classmates, you must complete these items on your own. The
contribution of others must be clearly recognized as literature citations or acknowledgements. You will be
asked to sign your exams, quizzes and reports as a pledge of your academic honesty.
Stetson Honor Code: http://www.stetson.edu/other/honor-system/honorpledge.php
As noted below, cell phones are prohibited from desks during exams. Any material that you need during an
exam (pencils, tissues, etc.) should be on your desk at the start of the exam. If you need to get something
else during an exam or need to go to the restroom, RAISE YOUR HAND. If you don’t, I will question you
about if you are cheating.
Cell Phone Usage: During class cell phones must be switched to silent or turned off. The first time that a
cell phone interrupts the class, that individual will be given a warning. If an individual’s cell phone
repeatedly interrupts class, he/she will be docked grade points. Conversely, if your instructor’s cell phone
(Dr. Vasilopoulos) interrupts class, everyone will receive bonus points. Cell phones are prohibited from
your desk during exams and must be put in a bag/purse or under your desk with the screen off. If there is a
cell phone on the desk or if you are seen looking at one during an exam, the will be a 15% grade deduction
from that exam.
Online Availability: I will answer all emailed questions within 24 hours. I will also hold virtual office hours
the evening before exams, in which I will respond to emails within 2 hours. However, I will not respond to
emails after 11:00pm on any day; emails sent later than that will be addressed the following morning.
Assessment:
In order to assure that Stetson University is meeting its goals in providing an excellent General
Education, the College has established specific General Education Learning Outcomes for all courses
meeting a particular area requirement in the General Education curriculum. To monitor how well
students are meeting those outcomes, instructors of those courses regularly submit work to the
committees assessing each outcome. While the outcomes of these assessments are primarily for our
internal use in monitoring and enhancing our curriculum, we may occasionally report the results of these
assessments in published research or academic conferences. All such reports will include aggregate (not
individual) data and will not include information that could identify the student or the instructor. While
the use of this information within the institution is part of normal educational practice, you may choose
not to allow data derived from your own work to be used for published reports or presentations by
signing an “opt out” form in the Registrar’s office.
Accommodations for Special Needs:
If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please meet with me so that
we can discuss ways to ensure your full participation in the course. If you determine that disabilityrelated accommodations are necessary, please register with the Academic Resources Center (822-7127;
www.stetson.edu/arc) and notify me of your eligibility for reasonable accommodations. We can then plan
how best to coordinate your accommodations.
2
Class and Assignment Schedule:
13-Jan
15-Jan
17-Jan
20-Jan
22-Jan
24-Jan
27-Jan
29-Jan
31-Jan
3-Feb
5-Feb
7-Feb
10-Feb
12-Feb
14-Feb
17-Feb
19-Feb
21-Feb
24-Feb
26-Feb
28-Feb
3-Mar
5-Mar
7-Mar
10-Mar
12-Mar
14-Mar
17-Mar
19-Mar
21-Mar
24-Mar
26-Mar
28-Mar
31-Mar
2-Apr
4-Apr
7-Apr
9-Apr
11-Apr
Topic
Introduction
Science of Biology
Cell Structure
NO CLASSES (MLK Day)
Cell Structure/Membranes
Energy and Metabolism
Energy and Metabolism/Cellular Comm.
Mitosis and Meiosis
Catch-up on lecture notes/Review
EXAM 1
Patterns of Inheritance
Chromosomes/Genes and How They Work
Genes and How They Work
Genes and How They Work/Evolution
Genes Within Populations
Evidence for Evolution
Behavior Genetics
TBA
Catch-up on lecture notes/Review
EXAM 2
Animal Development
Spring Break
Spring Break
Spring Break
Nervous System
Nervous System
Nervous System/Sensory Systems
Sensory Systems
Behavioral Biology
The Study of Behavior
Development of Behavior
Catch-up on lecture notes/Review
EXAM 3
Endocrine System/Hormones
Hormones
NO CLASS
Reproductive System
Sexual Reproduction
Mating and Parental Care
Readings
Quiz
1
Quiz Deadline
in class
2
11:59pm 24-Jan
3
11:59pm 31-Jan
4
11:59pm 12-Feb
Assignment
Deadline
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 2 & 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 4 & 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch. 9 & 11
Ch. 10
Ch. 11
Ch. 18
Assignment #1
5
11:59pm 19-Feb
6
11:59pm 14-Mar
Ch. 17
Handout
Handout
Ch. 12
Ch. 12 &18
Ch. 18
Ch. 19
Ch. 22
Assignment #2
7
11:59pm 23-Mar
8
11:59pm 9-Apr
Ch. 13 &20
Ch. 20
Ch. 16
Ch. 25
Ch. 26
3
14-Apr
16-Apr
18-Apr
21-Apr
23-Apr
25-Apr
28-Apr
30-Apr
2-May
Digestive System
Biological Rhythms
NO CLASS (Good Friday)
Catch-up on lecture notes/Review
EXAM 4
Communication/Conflict
Conflict/Social Behavior
Social Behavior/Review
FINAL EXAM 2-4 PM
Assignment
1
2
3
Ch. 15
Ch. 21
Ch. 23 &24
Ch. 24 &27
Ch. 27
Assignment #3
9
11:59pm 18-Apr
10
11:59pm 30-Apr
Topic
Genes related to a Psychiatric Condition (e.g. schizophrenia, depression,
OCD, eating disorder, etc.)
Effects of psychiatric conditions (depression, schizophrenia) on
sensory perception (sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing).
Effects of environmental factors (diet, smoking, exercise, toxins, etc.)
on hormone levels.
Due
14-Feb
19-Mar
14-Apr
Lab schedule:
Date
(Mon/Thurs)
13-Jan/16-Jan
20-Jan/23-Jan
27-Jan/30-Jan
3-Feb/6-Feb
10-Feb/13-Feb
17-Feb/20-Feb
24-Feb/27-Feb
3-Mar/7-Mar
10-Mar/13-Mar
17-Mar/20-Mar
24-Mar/27-Mar
31-Mar/3-Apr
7-Apr/10-Apr
14-Apr/17-Apr
21-Apr/24-Apri
28-Apr/1-May
Lab
NO LAB
NO LAB
Topic
1
2
3
4
5
Presentation of Data Through Graphs (Please
bring laptop w/ Excel if you can)
Scientific Method & Studying Animal Behavior
Natural Selection
Comparative Behavior of Squirrels and Anoles
Diffusion and Osmosis
Exercises/Reports
Exercise #1 Due
Exercise #2 Due
Exercise #3 Due
Exercise #4 Due
NO LAB
6
7
8
9
10
NO LAB
NO LAB
NO LAB
Mitosis and Meosis
Mendelian Genetics
Memory
Sensory Systems
Autonomic Nervous System
Exercise #5 Due
Exercise #6 Due
Exercise #7 Due
Exercise #8 Due
Exercise #9 Due
Exercise #10 Due
4