INSTRUCTOR:  Don C. Forester, Ph.D.                                                                                                                    SPRING, 2002

OFFICE:  Smith 255
WEB PAGE:  http://saber.towson.edu/~forester/Welcome.html
TELEPHONE:  (410) 830-2385

OFFICE HOURS:  11-Noon  MW; 11:00-Noon TR
          Others by appointment

 TEXT:   Animal Behavior: Mechanisms, Ecology and Evolution 5th Edition
    Drickamer, Vessey and Jakob

 ASSIGNED READINGS:  Available in the Quick Copy Center.

 Your text provides an excellent overview of animal behavior.  However, junior and senior undergraduates should become familiar with the scientific literature.  To this end, I will assign a number of outside readings.  These will include review articles from American Scientist as well as primary research articles in journals such as Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Ethology, Behaviour, and Animal Behaviour.  You will be expected to read these papers and their content will be covered on your lecture examinations.

GRADE DETERMINATION:  Based on a % of 450 Points (Total subject to change prior  to the last lecture period).  I use a traditional grading system:  >90=A,  80-89=B,  70-79=C, 60-69=D, <60=F.  I do not give C- grades, but reserve the right to administer minus and plus grades at my discression.

 Lecture Examinations
 (3)........................................……............300 Points

 Ethogram
 (1)..............................................…...........50 Points

 Lab Reports
 (4)..........................................................100 Points

Final Examination:  The time slot set aside for the final examination (Wednesday,  May 15, 2002, 8:00-10:00 a.m.) will be used for the third lecture examination.

Lecture examinations must be taken as scheduled unless serious illness prevents your attendance.  In such cases, a written excuse must be provided by your physician or the Student Health Center.  Adjustments can not be made for work, vacation, or other examinations.  All makeup exams will be administered at the convenience of the instructor.

Cheating Policy:  Cheating will not be tolerated and if documented will be dealt with harshly (i.e., the offending student will be asked to leave the class and will receive a grade of “F”).

Attendance Policy:  Lab attendance is mandatory and attendance in lecture is strongly encouraged.  I do not take roll, but if you anticipate successfully completing the course you should plan or regularly attending class—duh!

Class Participation:  Feel free to ask questions pertaining to topics being discussed in lab and lecture.  I will make an effort to provide an interactive lecture and your willing participation will greatly enrich the classroom exchange.
 

 TOPIC                                                                                           # LEC PERIODS                            TEXT CHAPTERS
 

1.  An Evolutionary Approach to Animal Behavior                                         2                                                         1

2.  Categories of Behavior                                                                             5                                                         2, 3 & 11

3.  The Genetics of Behavior                                                                          5                                                         4, 5 & 6

EXAMINATION   I                                                                                     1

4.  The Control of Behavior: Neural Mechanisms                                             3                                                           7

5.  The Control of Behavior: Hormonal Mechanisms                                         3                                                           8

6. Migration, Orientation and Navigation                                                          2                                                           13

6. Biological Rhythms                                                                                       3                                                           9

7.  The Development of Behavior                                                                     3                                                            10

8.  Evolution of Communication:
     Adaptation in Signalers and Receivers                                                         3                                                             12

EXAMINATION   II                                                                                       1

9.     Habitat Selection                                                                                       3                                                           14

10. Adaptive Feeding Behavior                                                                         3                                                            15

11. Conflict                                                                                                       3                                                            16

12.  Male and Female Reproductive Tactics                                                        3                                                           17

13.  The Evolution of Mating Systems                                                                 3                                                            17

12.  Parental Care                                                                                               2                                                            18

EXAMINATION  III

 Animal Behaviour Society Web Site
 Ethology and Evolution on the WEB
 Journal of Ethology Web Site
 Journal Behaviour WEB Site
 Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology WEB Site