BIOL 207-01, Animal Behavior, Fall 2009

Abstract

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the underlying mechanisms of animal behavior through lectures, discussions, and research. The specific objectives of this course are as follows. By the end of the semester, students should: - Understand the proximate and utimate causes of behavior; - Have broad knowledge of the many areas of behavioral studies, including evolutionary, neural, developmental, ecological, and environmental behavior; - Understand and be able to apply a range of theories associated with animal behavior; - Be confident to read, understand, critique, and discuss scientific literature; and - Have strong research and writing skills. Students will demonstrate their knowledge about and understanding of the subject material through a combination of exams, class discussions, summaries of scientific papers, and a review paper.