This course introduces students to the biological basis of animal behaviors. The lecture will prepare students to: recognize features that allow classification of behaviors across diverse animal taxa; understand the adaptive significance of behaviors and appreciate the unique evolutionary history that led to the behaviors we observe in animals today. Emphasis is placed on evolutionary explanations of behavior, including: genetic, developmental, neural and hormonal mechanisms; instincts and learning; and reproductive and social behavior. Lab/Discussion sections will introduce students to primary and secondary literature in a diverse array of animal behavior research topics, including sensory mechanisms, chemical, visual and acoustic communication signals, dynamic behavioral interactions and common statistical techniques used in understanding and testing scientific hypotheses that lead to a better understanding of why animals do the things they do.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and completion of 12 hours in Biology.
0.000 OR 4.000 Credit hours
0.000 OR 3.000 Lecture hours
0.000 OR 3.000 Lab hours
Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule Types: Laboratory, Lecture
Biology Department
Animal Behavior 11th ed.
Authors: Rubenstein & Alcock,
Publisher: Sinauer & Associates
ISBN-13: 978-1605355481, ISBN-10: 1605355488
Retail Price $90 (digital versions also available)
Copyright: 2018
Animal Wise
Author: Virginia Morell
Publisher: Crown Publishers
ISBN-13: 978-0307461445, ISBN-10: 0307461440
Retail Price: $12.98 (digital versions also available)
Copyright: 2014
External links: