Instructor: Bruce P. Smith
	Office:  166 CNS
	Lab: 171 CNS
	Phone: 274-3971
	E-mail: SMITHB@ITHACA.EDU
	Office Hours: Thursday 1:00 - 3:00 pm, or by appointment, or by appointment
	Lecture Schedule Laboratory Schedule Lab Photos
Text: Alcock, J. 2009.  Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach, 9th edition.  Sinauer Associates, Inc., Southerland, MA

INTRODUCTION

Animal Behavior is inherently fascinating: insects in which males offer females gifts during courtship, birds in which parents carefully feed and defend their nestlings, predatory dogs and wolves who use cooperative hunting to tackle larger prey, fish who generate electrical currents to use in navigation and communication with other fish, and ground-dwelling rats that have evolved intricate social structures, complete with “queens” and “kings”.  It is natural to ask “how did this develop?” and  “why do they do it?” when observing such behaviors.  The study of Animal Behavior entails describing such behaviors and then trying to elucidate the reasons that these behaviors have developed.  There can be proximate (or immediate) causes of behavior, and there are ultimate (or evolutionary) bases for behavior as well.

Animal Behavior intersects with many other biological disciplines: many behaviors can be directly related to the organism’s environmental conditions (or ecology), there is a neurophysiological basis of behavior, and it is essential to consider genetics when trying to decipher the how and why of social evolution in insects.  Foremost, evolutionary theory is essential to understanding the ultimate reason that these behaviors exist.

THIS COURSE: structure and goals

6 of our 7 departmental learning objectives are addressed in this course:

Specific concepts students will be able to address at these three levels after taking this couse:

• Analysis of proximate & ultimate causation of behavior
• Role of genetics, development, nervous system and hormones in deternming behavior
• Interaction of genetics and environmental factors in the development of behavior
• Use of experiments and comparative methods for testing scientific hypotheses
• Cost-benefit method of determining adaptive value of traits
• Optimality and game theory approaches to studying behavior
• The evolution of communication, feeding behavior, mating systems, parental and social behavior
• Comparative statistics; hypothesis building & experimental design
• Communication via written media
• Accessing scientific literature using electronic tools & the evaluation of reliable sources

I will try to emphasize concepts, processes, and interpretation; my goal is for you to develop reasoning and critical thinking skills - and a better understanding of  Biology.  For the most part, I will not be giving you “cookbook” exercises to do in lab: I will try to involve you in designing the experiments. In most labs I will start by introducing a behavioral phenomenon or a biological system, and then I will suggest questions or hypotheses.  After preliminary observations, the class will break into groups and discuss how to approach testing the hypotheses.  The class will then get back together for a general discussion to agree on questions and methods.  I will guide you towards workable methods.  The class will conduct the experiments, then we will briefly discuss results and share data.  Written laboratory reports are done individually.

Standard lecture tests focus on fundamental knowledge within the field of Animal Behavior (goal 1), connections among biological concepts at various levels (goal 3), and ability to critically analyze biological information (goal 4).  Designing and conducting experiments in the laboratory (goals 4 & 5) is collaborative (goal 7) experiential learning, involving initiative and independence in scientific inquiry.  The laboratory reports and poster presentation require students to read and interpret the primary scientific literature (goal 4), and fosters communication skills through writing (goal 6) and visual presentations of scientific research.

EVALUATION

GRADING

Test 1	17.5%
Test 2	17.5%
lab reports	35%
Final Exam	20%
Poster Presentation	10%

LECTURE

There will be two or three term tests based on lecture material and assigned readings, and these tests are not cumulative.  Test questions require written answers ranging from a paragraph in length to a short essay, depending on the question’s value.  Some will be factual questions, some will be interpretation questions.  The final exam includes all material in the course, and will be in similar format.

LABORATORY

The aim in the laboratory is to develop observational skills and to learn methods for describing behavior, and to practice designing and conducting behavioral experiments. Early laboratory sessions are designed for developing skills and techniques used in future laboratory sessions.  In later sessions, the first part of each laboratory will consist of observations and discussion, and the students will participate in the design and execution of experiments.  The grade for the laboratory component will be based upon reports, typically due one week later.  Please note that while you collaborate on conducting experiments and share data with the other students in your group, your reports are written individually - and that should be apparent to me.

POSTER PRESENTATION

This will be a presentation based upon a current research article from Animal Behavior, Behaviour, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Insect Behavior, the Behavior section of Canadian Journal of Zoology, or a behavioral ecology paper from an ecological journal (Oikos, Oecologia, Animal Ecology, or Ecology) providing that I agree that it falls within the scope of behavior.  Papers must be from primary research articles that have been published in peer-reviewed journals. You cannot use review papers, perspectives, notes, briefs, short communications, etc.  Look for papers that are of reasonable length and complexity - if the paper is too short and simple or too long and complex, then it could adversely affect your presentation. Students cannot choose a paper already selected by another student.  Please note college policy that material submitted for grades in one course cannot be submitted for credit in another course - your presentation cannot be based on an article used in another class. You can choose a paper that interests you, and I will check whether it is suitable (i.e., not a review article, and neither too simple nor too complex).  I need to receive a copy of the paper by 4:00 pm one week before presentation, so that I can approve it – please send a .pdf copy of the paper by email.  The presentation will be displayed during the laboratory period.  Posters must be submitted at least 24 hrs before this lab (i.e., by 1:00 pm), as I need to post them on a website for viewing the day of the presentation.  If you do not send your poster to me 24 hours in advance then there is a 50% penalty, and a zero grade is awarded if the poster cannot be posted before presentation time.

1. Attendance

The Undergraduate Announcements state the general policy that students are expected to attend classes and that they are responsible for all material even when absent.  Conspicuous unexplained absence (i.e., more than 10% of the classes) may result in lower grade, or dismissal from class.  Acceptable reasons for absence include 1) student illness, requiring the student to be bed-ridden; 2) death or serious illness in the immediate family; 3) appearance in court; 4) religious holidays.  Note that you MUST have written documentation for your reason for absence (e.g., note from doctor, religious leader, etc.).

An exam missed during an unexcused absence (i.e. oversleeping or not being prepared) will result in a zero grade for that exam.  If you miss a exam, you MUST inform me before the test if at all possible, but if not physically capable, then notify me as soon as possible afterwards.  You can send me e-mail, phone my number (above) or the Biology Department (607-274-3161) to leave a message, and if you do not have the number with you, phone directory assistance and get the number for the main switchboard of the College (they will either transfer your call, or provide the correct number).  Such notification does not guarantee my accepting your reason for absence, but failing to notify me guarantees that you will not be excused.

2. Readings

You are expected to read the assigned readings BEFORE coming to class, as a background to that day's lecture.  If you have any questions regarding material in the reading, please ask during class.

3. Questions

Please feel free to ask questions in class.  Chances are that if there is something you don't understand, then others in the class are also confused. 

4. Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

I will make reasonable accommodations for any students with disabilities.  The student must inform me of their need for accommodation, and be registered with the Office of Academic Support Services for Students with Disabilities.  If tests or exams are to be written under supervision of Academic Support Services, appointments have to be made with their office at least 1 week prior to the test, and we also need to be notified at that time.

5. Personal Conduct

"A student's behavior must not interfere with the activities of the College or with other student's pursuit of educational objectives" (see General Information, Undergraduate Announcements).  Talking during lecture (except for questions or participating in class discussions) is disruptive and is disrespectful to other students and the instructor.  Cell phones, pagers, etc. must be kept turned off during classes.  Disruptions may result in the student being asked to leave the class and the student will be considered absent without excuse.  If asked to leave class on more than one occasion, the student will be dropped from the course.

6. Deadlines

Handing assignments in late puts me behind in grading, and disadvantages students who could use some extra time but who submit their assignments by the deadline.  Consequently, there is a penalty of 5% per day for written assignments (i.e., lab reports) and for submitting topics or papers for approval (i.e., poster presentation).  Posters must be submitted 24 hours in advance (by 1:00 pm) or there is a 50% penalty, and a 100% penalty if the poster cannot be posted by presentation time.  I can waiver penalties or give extensions if warranted by significant extenuating circumstances - e.g., student illness requiring the student to be bed-ridden, or serious illness/death in the immediate family.  Having tests or other assignments due is not a sufficient reason: other students have similar constraints on their time, and part of an education is time management. Please submit assignments in electronic form (Word, WordPerfect, Excel, or QuatroPro files as appropriate) – this avoids problems with printers, and provides a time stamp on your work.  Deadlines are indicated on the lecture schedule, in square brackets.

7. Plagiarism

Please be aware of plagiarism: if you take a sentence from someone else’s work and only change one or a couple of words, it is still plagiarism even if you cite the source.  You must rewrite the information or ideas in your own words.  Plagiarism is a serious offense of academic misconduct: check the student handbook and the library website for details, but it can lead to judicial proceedings and even expulsion from the college.  Each idea has to be referenced (and in the sentence where the idea appears), you cannot simply cite the reference once at the end of a paragraph containing many ideas from the same source.  In this course, there is potential for plagiarism in the laboratory write-ups and the poster presentation.

8. Course Evaluations:

Student input is highly valued and is important to maintain high quality instruction. Course evaluations are mandatory and must be completed by the last day of class.  An incomplete may appear on your transcript  if it is not submitted by that time.  The evaluation will be submitted to the Department Assistant. She will verify that you have submitted the form.  Once that has been checked, your identification will be removed and will not be printed with the comments. Further instructions will be given at the end of the semester.

[Disclaimer: this is not a fixed schedule, it is a forecast of the pace at which we will cover the material.]

Final Exam:  Thursday, May 10, 2012; 1:30 - 4 pm

LABORATORY SCHEDULE: Monday 1:00 - 3:50 pm, room CNS 212

[Disclaimer: this schedule may change, depending on availability / condition of animals, etc.)