EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, BIOLOGY 262
First Semester, Academic Year 2000-'01
Instructor: Raymond Heithaus
Office and telephone: Biology 202, ext. 5393
Office hours: T 3:00-4:00 pm, W 1:30-4:00 pm, Thurs. 9:00-11:00 am + by appointment
Text: See lab handouts, reading assignments from Animal Behavior, Sixth Edition by John Alcock
| Date | Topic/Activity |
| Sept 1 | Introduction: detecting pattern and asking questions (field trip) |
| Sept 8 | Focal animal techniques: quantifying individual behavior (field trip) |
| Sept 15 | Survey techniques: Mate selection by flower beetles (field trip) |
| Sept 22 | Data analysis and interpretation (lab) |
| Sept 29 | Food location and recruitment in ants (field trip) |
| Sept 29 | FIRST LABORATORY REPORT DUE |
| Oct 6 | Sonar & Bat Orientation (lab, evening) OR Using models to understand behavior |
| Oct 13 | Food handling behavior by guppies (lab): LAB NOTES FOR PRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS |
| Oct 20 | Is food choice influenced by cost/benefit ratios? Guppy feeding behavior (lab) |
| Oct 27 | Video analysis of animal behavior (lab) |
| Nov 3 | Vigilance behavior in birds (field trip) |
| Nov 10 | Acoustic behavior of crickets OR Predator avoidance by snails (lab) |
| Nov 17 | Social behavior - group size in human associations (field trip) |
| Nov 17 | SECOND LABORATORY REPORT DUE |
| Dec 1 | Morphology of a mammalian brain (lab) OR Search Image and Foraging (by humans) |
| Dec 8 | Data analysis and final discussion |
| Dec 16 | LABORATORY NOTEBOOKS DUE - by 4:30 PM |
EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
OVERVIEW AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
This course is an introduction to the study of animal behavior in the field and laboratory, with a strong emphasis on the ecology and evolution of behavior. We will learn how to formulate questions and test hypotheses through careful observation and experimentation. A quantitative approach to studying behavior is emphasized. Some classes involve field work. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing for the weather.
Please note that during field trips you will encounter poison ivy and potentially stinging insects. You will minimize chances of "negative conditioning" if you exercise common sense and pay attention to your surroundings. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT BEING CAREFUL IS NOT A GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL AVOID STINGS OR POISON IVY. If you are allergic to these, especially to stings, please let me know.
The topics listed in the syllabus are tentative. Some depend on appropriate weather conditions or the availability of animals, neither of which care much about our syllabus. The sequence and specific topics are likely to evolve through the semester. Remember the most reliable prediction of ethology: "Animals will act as if they know what you expect and will do their best to surprise you."
Grading in Biology 262 will be based on the following:
40% Two laboratory reports (topics are to be determined, but due dates are given above.
40% A laboratory notebook. For each laboratory, you should have notes on the following: background given in class and the basic question; a description of the site (if in the field), experimental design and methods; data tables; data analysis; brief summary and interpretation. You can include laboratory handouts without repeating material given to you.
20% Attendance and participation in lab activities.
Your responsibilities should be clear from these components of grading. Since about one-third of your grade is based on writing, please be sure to review the Student Handbook statement on plagiarism. In particular, proper citation of sources is very important (for example, in laboratory reports.) We will discuss the differences between collaboration in the lab (which is encouraged) and independence in work that is presented for evaluation. The most basic guideline, however, is that study design, execution, and collecting data are collaborative processes. Data analysis and interpretation should be done independently.
If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your ability to carry out assigned course work, I would urge that you contact the Office of Disability Services at 5453. The Coordinator of Disability Services, Erin Salva (salvae@kenyon.edu), will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential