Ethology (ZOOL 306)
Lecture Syllabus and Schedule
Spring 2012
www.hawaii.edu/behavior/306
Lectures: W F 1130 - 1220, Webster 103
Course Instructor:
Dr. Timothy C. Tricas, Department of Zoology, Edmondson 253 Phone:
956-8677, email: tricas@hawaii.edu
Office
hours: Wednesday 12:30-1:30, Friday 1:30-2:30, or by appointment
Teaching Assistants:
Leigh Ann Boswell (Edmondson 252, 956-4712, lboswell@hawaii.edu). Office hours: W 4.30-5.30, Th 11.30-12.30, or by appointment
Kelly Williams (Edmondson 252, 956-4712, kewilli@hawaii.edu). Office hours: Th 10.30-11.30, F 12.30-1.30, or by appointment
Course Text: Alcock, J. A. 2009. Animal Behavior. Sinauer Associates, 9th edition, 606 pp.
Course
Overview:
Ethology
is the study of adaptiveness of animal behavior from an evolutionary perspective. Ethologists observe the behavior of animals in their natural environment
and conduct experiments to test how natural selection has shaped their behavior. Some researchers study proximate questions
about sensory mechanisms used by animals to detect, process and interpret
biological information in their environment. Others study the hormonal
or genetic mechanisms that control behavior. In comparison,
ethologists may investigate ultimate questions such as the evolutionary and
ecological significance of feeding behaviors, attracting mates, caring for
young, avoiding predators or defending a shelter.
As you will discover, there are many exciting areas of research in animal
behavior but the most important questions an ethologist will ask are
“How might this behavior increase the fitness of the individual?” and “Why
has this behavior evolved?”.
Course Study:
This
course will introduce the student to the basic concepts of modern ethology
from a strong evolutionary perspective, and requires integrative thinking and synthesis. This course covers a lot of material from a large book and moves very quickly. In order to keep up with
lectures, it is important that students stay current with readings....cramming at the last minute is usually a futile effort because much information is conceptual, not factual. Although some supplementary lecture handouts will be provided
to students, my lecture materials, Powerpoint presentations and notes are not. Thus, your grade will
benefit by regular and timely attendance to lectures, and a focus on the
instructor's lecture material. To be successful in this class you should consider the following:
1. Read the chapter BEFORE lecture.
2. Come to every class...we will discuss the important material from your readings and also supplemental material that is not in your text.
3. NO LAPTOPS, VIDEO CAMERAS, IPADS, CELL PHONES, SOUND RECORDERS, STILL CAMERAS, OR ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICE ARE ALLOWED TO BE OPERATED DURING CLASS. Any student that uses a laptop, cell phone, iPad or any electronic device in class will be asked to leave the room. Take lecture notes with pen or pencil on paper or in the text book. Typing on a laptop is a distraction from the lecture and you will miss main points. Multitasking with techie devices such as laptops and cell phones stimulates the striatum (a region of the brain that learns addictive and repetitive motor skills), whereas reading your book and reviewing notes in a quiet environment stimulates the hippocampus (a region of the brain that learns solutions to more complicated challenges).
4. Focus first on topics that are covered in class, then the rest of the chapter.
5.
THINK AND ASK QUESTIONS !
6. Meet with the instructor or teaching assistant to discuss class concepts well in advance of exams.
Please be advised that all information you need to pass this course are available in lectures and the book. You are welcome to visit Dr. Tricas during office hours (or by appointment) to discuss any topic material. Recording or electronic distribution (posting on Facebook or the internet) of any lecture material (e.g. my Powerpoints and other teaching material) are not permitted and are a violation of the course rules.
Book
Reports:
A book report on a subject of
interest in animal behavior is required for this course. Students are to
select a book from the ZOOL 306
reserve list in Sinclair library, read it in its entirety and
write a 3-5 page synthesis (double spaced typed). Students are
encouraged to incorporate additional reference material such as papers from
the primary literature into their report (but not the class text).
Student papers will be graded on scientific interpretation of the book,
critical thinking and composition. Please visit Dr. Tricas or the TA for
assistance or review of your paper before submission. If you wish to do
your report on a book that is not on the reserve list, you must first obtain
permission from Dr. Tricas. Please be advised that the book report
must present original ideas and writing by the student, and that plagiarism
from other sources such as classmates or the web will not be tolerated, and
presents grounds for failure in the course.
Student Chapter Leaders and Question Groups:
Small groups of students (listed below) will be responsible for briefing the class with an overview of an assigned chapter, and assist with answering questions on the topic matter. Students will be individually graded on their preparation and interaction with the class. Attendance is mandatory during your assigned week, else you will receive a 0 for the Chapter Group assignment. Thus, students are expected to read their assigned chapter in detail before the first related lecture. In addition, students and members of a group will also be asked questions regarding chapter and lectures throughout the semester.
Grading:
Exams: There will be two mid-terms and one final exam. Exams are
multiple choice. Final grades are not curved. There
will be no make up exam given unless the student has made prior arrangements
with the instructor, or has a valid written medical excuse from the student
health center or physician. All make
up exams will be essays.
Grading
schedule |
|
| 2 midterm exams | 200 pts |
| Final exam | 150 pts |
| Chapter reviews and groups | 25 pts |
| Book report | 50 pts |
Total |
425 pts |
Lecture Schedule
(rev 1-3-2012)
| Date |
Lecture Topic |
Chapter | |
| January | 11 | Ethology, an evolutionary approach | 1 |
| 13 | " | ||
| 18 | Proximate vs. ultimate causes of behavior | 2 | |
| 20 | " | ||
| 25 | Development, the role of genes & environment | 3 | |
| 27 | " | ||
| February | 1 | The control of behavior: neural mechanisms | 4 |
| 2 | " | ||
| 8 | The organization of behavior: neurons & hormones | 5 | |
| 10 | " | ||
| 15 | MIDTERM #1 | ||
| 17 | Behavioral adaptations for survival | 6 | |
| 22 | " | ||
| 24 | Evolution of feeding behavior | 7 | |
| 29 | " | ||
| March | 2 | Choosing where to live | 8 |
| 7 | " | ||
| 9 | Evolution of communication | 9 | |
| 14 | " | ||
| 16 | MIDTERM #2 | ||
| 21 | Evolution of reproductive behavior | 10 | |
| 23 | " | ||
| 28 | SPRING BREAK | ||
| 30 | SPRING BREAK | ||
| April | 4 | Mating systems | 11 |
| 6 | HOLIDAY | ||
| 11 | Mating systems | ||
| 13 | Parental care | 12 | |
| 18 | " | ||
| 20 | Social behavior | 13 | |
| 25 | " | ||
| 27 | Human behavior | 14 | |
| May | 2 |
" Book reports due in lecture at 11:30 |
|
| 7 | Final Exam, Monday 12:00-2:00, (20% Comprehensive + Lecture Acoustics Extra Credit) |
|
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