BIOL 5411 ETHOLOGY SYLLABUS, SPRING, 2010 DR. G.C. HICKMAN: ST 319D, ,

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1 BIOL 5411 ETHOLOGY SYLLABUS, SPRING, 2010 DR. G.C. HICKMAN: ST 319D, , OVERVIEW: Animal Behavior is a graduate lecture/laboratory course designed for students in biology and related scientific disciplines that have not had an undergraduate course in Animal Behavior or Ethology. Topics include the behavior of invertebrate and vertebrate animals in an evolutionary context, evaluating changes in behavior as adaptations to an organism s environment. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: Understanding how different approaches of investigation offer different perspectives, and the role of controversy in promoting and inhibiting scientific advances. Contrasting sensory modes and the different perceptual worlds of animals; the advantages and disadvantages of different sensory modes in orientation and communication. Learn features of Sociobiology (the adaptiveness of living in groups) and the controversy accompanying the appearance of this discipline. Being able to apply historical aspects of behavioral development (including studies on the behavior of fossils), to the application of these principles in the study of human behavior. Appreciate the evolution of behavior with respect to the environment, and be able to use this knowledge as a research tool. LECTURES: Lectures present broad concepts to be elaborated upon by outside reading in the primary literature. The text is: Alcock, John. Animal Behavior. An Evolutionary Approach. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland (Massachusetts). Some class periods will allow for direct observation, experimentation, and/or demonstrations of behavioral phenomena. Also, a project involving independent study and a field trip will be required (food costs are not included in the field trip fee). COURSE GRADE: The final course mark will be computed as an average of: Three lecture examinations Marks: 300 Oral Presentation Marks: 100 Written Presentation Marks: 100 Project Marks: 100 Total Marks Possible 600 <60 = F; = D; = C; = B, >90 = A

2 Graduate Students will be expected to meet the above requirements in a manner that is broader in scope, more challenging in execution, and more comprehensive in coverage than undergraduate work. More specifically: 1. Lecture exams will include at least one additional discussion type question. 2. Laboratory exams will include at least 10 additional questions, and be more comprehensive in nature. 3. Discussion topics will be more provocative and argumentative, and the level of presentation concurrent with that of scientific meetings. The topics will be presented in a paper with primary journal articles. 4. The quality and quantity of the project will be expected to be at a higher level. 5. Additional work in assisting undergraduates will be assigned. EXAMINATIONS: Lectures and laboratories are interdependent, complementary approaches towards understanding the same principles. Subject material from lectures and laboratories will appear together on any examination. A synthesis of the two approaches is expected. PRESENTATIONS: Each student will be assigned a topic on an aspect of behavior (sleep, interspecific communication, animal culture, or tool use, as examples) which will be presented orally to the class. Format, references, communication skills, and answering questions from the class will be used in evaluation. PROJECT: A written field or laboratory project on a behavioral topic of interest to the student will require study outside of regular class times. Graduates are responsible for experimental design, collecting data, performing a literature search, and analysing and presenting the results in a typewritten paper. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Disability and Veterans Services: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is committed to providing persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to access campus facilities, resources and programs. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. Support and accommodations are also available for returning veterans who experience cognitive and/or physical access issues in the classroom or on campus. Our Office of Disability Services arranges such support and academic accommodations. To make a request, or for more information, call (361) or visit Driftwood 101. It is important to contact the Office of Disability Services in a timely fashion as it will take time for them to review requests and prepare accommodations and accommodation letters.

3 Grade Appeals: As stated in the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi University Rules and Procedures (Section B [Academic Program], Part 13 [Students]: C2 [Student Grade Appeals] and C2.01 [Student Grade Appeal Procedures]), a student who believes that he or she has not been held to appropriate academic standards as outlined in the class syllabus, equitable evaluation procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course. The burden of proof is on the student to demonstrate the appropriateness of the appeal. A student with a complaint about a grade is encouraged to first discuss the matter with the instructor. For complete details, including the responsibilities of the parties involved in the process and the number of days allowed for completing the steps in the process, consult the University Rules and Procedures specified above (accessible through the University Rules and Procedures website at For assistance and/or guidance in the grade appeal process, students may contact the Office of Student Affairs. Office Hours are Monday and Weds 8-10, and Friday

4 BIOL 5411 ETHOLOGY CLASS SCHEDULE:SPRING, 2009 This timetable may be modified due to unforeseen events, opportunities for field trips, and student interest in various topics. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of changes in the schedule announced in class. Some of the field trips may be on weekends due to time constraints; departure and return times will be announced in lectures. Lectures and laboratories are interdependent, complementary approaches towards understanding the same principles. Subject material from lectures and laboratories may appear together on any examination. JAN. 13 Introduction: Info Sheets, Syllabus, References 15 Geologic Time; Systematics Lab 1: No Lab 18 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR HOLIDAY 20 Definitions and Paradigms 22 Instinct and Learning Lab 2: Lab Orient., Proc., Field Notebooks, Data Sheets 25 Sensory Modes: Vision 27 Vision Filmstrip 29 Vision Discussion Lab 3: Vision Experiments FEB. 01 Sensory Modes: Audition 03 Audition Soundtrack 05 Audition Discussion Lab 4: Audition Experiments 08 Sensory Modes: Olfaction 10 Sensory Modes: Tactile and Others 12 Sernsory Mode Conclusions Lab 5: Olfaction, Tactile, and Other Sensory Modes 15 LECT. EXAM I (INTRO ->SENSORY MODES) 17 Exam post mortum, discussion 19 Sociobiology Lab 6: Living in Groups, Courtship, Fighting 22 Sociobiology Continued 24 Fossil Behavior 26 Fossil Behavior Lab 7: Experiments: Taxes, Tropisms,Orientation MAR. 01 Behavioral Ecology 03 Human Ethology 05 Human Ethology Lab 8:

5 08 MIDTERM LAB EXAM 10 Guest Speaker 12 Guest Speaker Lab 9 15 SPRING BREAK No Lab EXAM II (SOCIOBIOLOGY -> SPEAKERS) 26 Exam post mortum, discussion Lab 10: 29 Presentations 31 Presentations APR. 02 Presentations Lab 11: FIELD TRIP 05 Presentations 07 Presentations 09 Presentations; Good Friday Lab 12: Project Report-backs 12 Presentations 14 Presentations 16 - Presentations Lab 13: Project Report-Backs 19 Presentations 21 Presentations 23 - Presentations Lab 14: FINAL LAB EXAM 26 Presentations 28 - Presentations MAY 30 - Reflections Lab 15: Last day to return equipment 03 LECT. EXAM III (PRESENTATIONS) FINALS MEETING: WEDS. MAY 12

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