ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (BI335)
Fall 2015
Dr. Lori LaPlante
Course Description & Objectives
This course is an introduction to the basic principles underlying the behavior of animals. In this course you will gain an
understanding of the mechanisms and evolutionary causes that drive behaviors observed in all types of animals (insects,
fish, birds, and mammals). Upon completing this course, you will have acquired experiences in observing and recording
animal behaviors through laboratory- and field-based studies.
Office Hours:
Office hours: Wednesdays 1:00 – 4:00 or by appointment
Course Meeting Times And Locations:
Lecture (Goulet 3100): M W F 9:30 – 10:20 AM
Lab (Goulet 1328): M 1:30 – 4:20 PM
Required Texts & Supplies:
1) Principles of Animal Behavior. Lee A. Dugatkin. 3rd Edition. W.W. Norton and Company, Inc.
Textbook website: http://wwnorton.com/college/biology/animalbehavior/welcome.aspx
2) Bound field notebook – a waterproof one is recommended (e.g. composition or Rite in the Rain notebook)
Attendance:
You are expected to attend every class meeting and laboratory session in which you are enrolled. If you have more than 3
“unexcused absences” in lecture or more than 1 unexcused absence in lab your final course grade will be affected. Refer
to your student handbook for a list of “allowed absences”, anything beyond this list is considered “unexcused”. Your final
course grade will be reduced 5% for each unexcused absence in excess of the limits outlined above. For example, a
student that has an 84%, or ‘B’, at the end of the course but has 4 unexcused absences in lecture will have his/her grade
adjusted down to 79%, a ‘C+’. Keep in mind that work missed (e.g. assignments) resulting from any unexcused
absence may not be made up.
•
Make-up quizzes and exams in lecture and lab will be permitted only with an “excused” absence.
•
Please refer to the Student Handbook for additional policies regarding attendance.
•
Student athletes will occasionally have conflicts between games and lectures in this course. It is your
responsibility to meet with Dr. LaPlante before the scheduling conflict so that appropriate arrangements can be
made.
Credit Hours – Workload Expectation
To be successful in this class, students must put in the time, particularly when it comes to writing drafts. As indicated by
the College’s definition of a credit hour, students should spend approximately two hours per week outside of class for
every academic credit hour. For this 4-credit class, therefore, students are expected to spend approximately eight hours
per week studying outside of class. Reading and writing assignments are given with this expectation in mind.
Furthermore, when grading assignments, exams and quizzes I will be assuming you have invested the required time for
this course.
Academic Honesty:
It is imperative that you review the section on Academic Honesty in your Student Handbook, and review your copy of
Doing Honest Work in College (from Freshman year), where there are clear explanations of what is considered cheating
and plagiarism. Remember, it is your responsibility to understand these policies. Incidents of cheating or plagiarism will
be handled according to the Procedures outlined in your Student Handbook. Cases of cheating or plagiarism may result in
a failing grade for the assignment or exam in question, a failing grade in the course, or expulsion.
Animal Behavior (BI335)
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Your work should originate from your own ideas. Plagiarism includes “wholly or partially copying, translating, or
paraphrasing without acknowledgement of the source.” It is in your best interest to read the section on Plagiarism in your
Student Handbook, especially since you will be using source material for your research paper.
Electronic Devices:
In order to avoid disruption to the class, the use of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar communication devices are
prohibited during scheduled classes (including laboratory sessions). Text messaging or accessing information on these
devices is likewise forbidden. All such devices must be put in a silent (vibrate) mode and ordinarily should not be taken
out during class. Given the fact that these same communication devices are an integral part of the College’s emergency
notification system, an exception to this policy would occur when numerous devices activate simultaneously. When this
occurs, students may consult their devices to determine if a college emergency exists. If that is not the case, the devices
should be immediately put away.
ADA/504 Compliance statement
Saint Anselm College is committed to meeting the needs of students with documented physical, sensory, psychiatric, and
learning disabilities. To disclose a disability and request academic accommodations, please see Kenneth Walker in the
Academic Resource Center (ARC) in Lower Cushing, who will assist you in making contact with appropriate faculty
members and arranging support services and accommodations available within the ARC and elsewhere. To ensure that
accommodations are arranged in a timely manner, you are encouraged to make your request at the beginning of each
semester.
Writing Intensive Learning Outcome
Mastering scientific writing is crucial to promoting one’s research and career. Throughout the semester you will learn
basic mechanics and composition of the scientific writing style. There will be several required readings and exercises that
will help you learn organization strategies for each section of a scientific paper (Introduction, Methods, Results,
Discussion, Literature cited). The written assignments are designed to meet the college’s student learning outcomes: i)
Demonstrate a command of standard grammar, spelling, and punctuation; develop an effective writing process of
planning, writing, reflecting, and revising; write well-organized papers that make effective and discipline-specific use of
credible evidence in support of clear [hypotheses] that acknowledge complexity and alternative views; cite document
sources effectively and meet readers’ expectations.
Evaluation: Your final grade in BI335 will be based on a total of 500 points (see explanations of each category below):
2 Lecture Exams a
200
Grade
30
A-
90-93
D
64-66
20
B+
87-89
D-
60-63
50
B
84-86
E
<60
Research Project - Oral Presentation e
30
B-
80-83
Participation f
20
C+
77-79
Final Exam
150
C
74-76
500
C-
70-73
Writing Exercises b
Research Project - Written Drafts
Research Project - Final Paper
c
d
TOTAL
%
Grade
%
a
Lecture exams (2 x 100 pts each = 200) will cover material presented in lecture, discussions, and lab. The format of
the exams may include any of the following: multiple choice, matching, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer
and/or short essay questions. A make-up exam will only be scheduled if you provide a note from the Dean.
b
Writing Exercises (6 x 5 pts each = 30 pts): There will be several required readings and exercise sets covering
organization strategies for each section of a scientific paper (Literature cited, Introduction, Methods, Results,
Discussion).
Animal Behavior (BI335)
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Research Project: You will complete an independent research project focusing on the behavior of an animal (or group
of animals) at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA. You will develop a research question, design a research methodology,
collect and analyze data, interpret and write up your results, and present your study to your peers.
• cWritten Drafts (20 pts): Using guidelines and strategies presented in the reading and writing exercises, you will
compose a draft for each section of your own research paper. You are required to submit at least two drafts, one
for an informative section of your paper (Methods, Results) and one for a persuasive section of your paper
(Introduction, Discussion). Although only two drafts are required, it is highly recommended you submit drafts
for each section according to the due dates outlined in the Schedule (Note: you will not receive full
“participation” points unless all drafts are submitted, see below). Submitting a draft for each section, gives you
an opportunity to improve your writing because you will receive feedback and critique from the instructor. Due
to the amount of time required in providing editing comments on drafts, late submissions will not be accepted.
•
•
f
d
e
Research Paper (50 pts): You will be working on your research paper throughout the semester (see Lab
Schedule for due dates of particular sections). Papers submitted after class on the due date will receive a 5%
deduction and then an additional 5% will be deducted for each day following.
Oral Presentation (30 pts): You will give a 10-12 minute presentation covering your research project. You will
be given a rubric covering categories for which you will be evaluated. These categories will include, among
others, the content and quality of your slides, public-speaking ability, personal appearance, and ability to field
questions. Presentations are held in front of an audience, therefore there is no option to make-up the assignment.
Participation (20 pts):
• You will be expected to meet all deadlines, maintain a positive attitude and participate in discussions.
• All assignments are due at the beginning of the period on the scheduled due date. There will be a one-point
deduction on assignments turned in late on the due date, and an additional point will be deducted for every day
following.
• Although drafts are not required for all sections of your research paper, you will receive full participation points
only if you turn in all drafts. The reasoning behind this is because several lab sessions are devoted to improving
writing skills and individual student-instructor conferences provides an opportunity for you to engage in a dialog
to help improve writing skills. Without a draft to discuss, your participation in this dialog becomes very limited.
Final Exam (150 pts): The final exam is cumulative and will include material presented in all lectures and student
research presentations. The format may include any of the following: multiple choice, matching, true/false, fill-in-theblank, short answer and/or short essay questions. See schedule below for date and time of final exam. A make-up exam
will only be administered if you provide a note from the Dean.
Animal Behavior (BI335)
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LECTURE & DISCUSSION SCHEDULE
Week Day Date
1
2
3
M
Aug 31 Course Introduction –modified schedule 9:10 – 9:40
W
Sept 2
F
M
Sept 7 No Class – Happy Labor Day!
W
Sept 9 Lecture: Evolution of Behavior (Ch. 2)
F
Sept 11 Lecture: Hormones and Neurobiology (Ch. 3)
M
Sept 14 Lecture: Hormones and Neurobiology (Ch. 3)
W
Sept 16 Lecture: Molecular Genetics and Development (Ch. 4)
Computer Exercise: Annotated Bibliographies (Weiler Computer
Sept 18
Lab)
Lecture: Molecular Genetics and Development (Ch. 4)
Sept 21
Zoo: Ethograms
Due: Academic integrity tutorial quiz
M
5
6
7
8
9
W
Sept 23 Lecture: Learning (Ch. 5)
F
Sept 25
Lecture: Learning cont. (Ch. 5)
Assigned: Technical writing exercise (Hoffman)
M
Sept 28
Lecture: Cultural Transmission (Ch. 6)
Due: completed exercises from “Behavior” Lab
W
Sept 30
Lecture: Cultural Transmission cont. (Ch. 6)
Due: Hypothesis for your study; annotated bibliography
F
Oct 2
Writing exercise due/discussion: Technical Writing (Hoffman)
Assigned: Introduction (Hoffman)
M
Oct 5 Lecture: Case study: Widowbird
W
Oct 7 Writing exercise due/discussion: Introduction (Hoffman)
F
Oct 9 Lecture Exam 1
M
Oct 12
W
Oct 14 Lecture: Sexual Selection (Ch. 7)
F
Oct 16 Lecture: Sexual Selection cont. (Ch. 7)
M
Oct 19 Lecture: Mating Systems cont. (Ch. 8)
W
Oct 21
F
Oct 23 Lecture: Kinship Theory cont. (Ch. 9)
M
Oct 26 Writing exercise due/discussion: Methods (Hoffman)
1) Lab: Observing and Collecting
Behavior data
2) Due: Exercise 1 from “Behavior” Lab
1) Zoo: Data collection
2) Due: Ethogram Lab
Zoo: Data collection
1) Zoo: Data collection
2) Due: Introduction draft
Lecture: Mating Systems cont. (Ch. 8)
Assigned: Methods writing exercise (Hoffman)
W
F
Nov 6 Lecture: Antipredator Behavior (Ch. 12)
M
No Lab
No Classes Monday - Fall Break!
Lecture: Kinship Theory (Ch. 9)
Assigned: Results; Figures/Tables Writing exercise (Hoffman)
Lecture: Foraging cont. (Ch. 11)
Oct 30
Due: Methods draft
Writing exercise due/discussion: Results; Figures/Tables
Nov 2
assignment (Hoffman)
Nov 4 Lecture: Foraging cont. (Ch. 11)
W
F
10
Zoo Field Trip: Intro to Research
Animals
Lecture: Principles of Behavior (Ch. 1); Evolution of Behavior
(Ch. 2)
Sept 4 Lecture: Evolution of Behavior (Ch. 2)
F
4
LAB
Topic / Exams
Zoo: Data collection
Oct 28
Zoo: Data collection
Animal Behavior (BI335)
11
M
Nov 9 Lecture: Antipredator Behavior (Ch. 12)
W
Project Conferences (Introduction, Methods)
Nov 11 Assigned: Discussion writing exercise (Hoffman)
F
Nov 13
14
15
Zoo: Data collection (if needed);
Otherwise Project conferences
Project Conferences (Introduction, Methods)
Due: Results draft
M
Nov 16 Lecture: Antipredator Behavior (Ch. 12)
W
Nov 18
12
13
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F
Writing exercise discussion: Discussion writing exercise
(Hoffman)
Nov 20 Lecture: Communication (Ch. 13)
M
Nov 23
W
Nov 25 Lecture Exam 2
F
Nov 27
M
Nov 30 Lecture: Communication cont. (Ch. 13)
W
Dec 2 Writing exercise discussion: Oral Presentations
F
Dec 4 Lecture: Habitat choice, territoriality, migration (Ch. 14)
M
Dec 7 Lecture: Habitat choice, territoriality, migration (Ch. 14)
W
Dec 9 Lecture: TBA
Lecture: Communication cont. (Ch. 13)
Assigned: Oral presentation writing exercise (Hoffman)
1) Project Conferences (Results,
Analyses)
2) Due at end of lab: Discussion writing
exercise (Hoffman)
No Lab meeting
Due: Discussion draft
No Class – Thanksgiving Break
1) Project Conferences (Discussion)
2) Due at end of lab: Oral Presentations
writing exercise (Hoffman)
1) Final Presentations
2) Due: Final Research Papers
Final exam: Thursday, December 17 at 9:00 AM