Animal Behavior 11:704:441
Fall 2009 Course Syllabus
Mondays & Thursdays 12:35 - 1:55 PM
103 Cook/Douglas Lecture Hall
Instructor:
E-mail:
Office:
Marisol M. Gutierrez, PhD
mmgrib@rci.rutgers.edu
213C Bartlett Hall
(732) 932 - 3229
Office Hours: by appointment
Website: https://sakai.rutgers.edu/
Course Textbook (required): John Alcock (2009) Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary
Approach (9th Edition) MA, USA: Sinauer Associates, Inc. Although material for exams
will largely come from lectures, the textbook serves as a primary source for reinforcing
material presented in class. In addition, readings from the text, for which students are
responsible, will be assigned in lecture.
Grading
Performance in this course will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
examinations, writing assignments and participation. This course will not be graded on
a curve, so grading will be based on individual (not relative) effort.
Exams: The two midterms will each be worth 100 points and the final counts for
150 points. Material in this course is hierarchical; that is, ideas and concepts will
increasingly build upon one another throughout the semester. Thus, each exam,
while focused on a specific range of topics, is essentially cumulative. All exams
will have similar formats consisting of multiple choice, short answer and essay
questions. Success on exams requires thorough understanding of material
presented in lecture and knowledge of reading assignments. Makeup exams will
only be available under extraordinary circumstances with proper documentation.
Writing assignments: Writing exercises will be based on scientific journal
articles related to course topics. The first writing assignment is mandatory
and will be accompanied by separate instructions. Of the remaining five
assignments, the paper receiving the least points will be dropped, with four of the
five writing exercises counting toward the final grade. Students are to turn in a
two-page (double-spaced using standard margins and fonts) evaluation of the
journal article comprised of the following elements: 1) a summary of the
research findings, 2) an evaluation of the article’s strength and weaknesses, 3)
what you would have done differently, and 4) potential directions for future
research. Note that these four elements will be graded (weighted) evenly, which
should be reflected in your paper’s treatment of them. Relevant articles from
which to choose will be provided by the instructor at least one week prior to the
due date. Indicate article title, journal and names of authors in your paper. Each
writing assignment is worth 20 points. Deadlines for these assignments appear
on the Class Meeting Schedule below, and are expected to be met. A 10%
penalty will be assessed for each day that materials are past due, for up to five
days. Any assignments more than five days late will not be accepted.
Participation: Participation will be assessed with (largely) unannounced in-class
assignments. These assignments will consist of participation in short activities
and short answers to questions posed during class.
Grading Scheme:
Item
Points
Exam 1
100 (20%)
Exam 2
100 (20%)
Final Exam
150 (30%)
Writing Assignments
100 (20%)
Participation
50 (10%)
Total
500 (100%)
Grading Scale:
450 – 500 points
A
435 – 449 points
B+
400 – 434 points
B
385 – 399 points
C+
350 – 384 points
C
300 – 349 points
D
0 – 299 points
F
Academic Support
Resources are available at Rutgers Academic Learning Centers for students who are
experiencing difficulty meeting course requirements for any reason. The learning center
located on the Cook/Douglas Campus is located in Loree 124 (732-932-1660).
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities may be entitled to accommodations and must contact the
University’s Office of Disability Services to receive such accommodations.
Academic Integrity
All work handed in must be your own. Cheating on exams or assignments is not
tolerated, will result in a zero for that exam or assignment and is subject to disciplinary
penalties. See http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/integrity.shtml for the University’s
current policies.
Attendance
Attendance is not taken in lecture; however, excessive absences will hurt your
participation grade. In addition, you are responsible for all material presented in class
and for all readings assigned.
Class Meeting Schedule
DATE
September
3
8
10
14
17
21
October
24
28
1
5
8
12
15
19
22
26
November
29
2
5
9
12
16
19
23
30
December
1
3
7
TOPIC
Introduction/History of Ethology & Darwin’s Folly
(Student Information Cards)
Levels of Selection & Adaptation
Proximate &.Ultimate: The How & Why of Behavior
(Flash Card Activity)
How is Behavior Controlled?
Is Behavior Coordinated, or Just Happens?
Writing Assignment #1 due
Ontogeny of Behavior: From Genes to Behavior
(Course Evaluation)
Ontogeny of Behavior: Beyond Genes
Review
EXAM 1
Where to Go from Here?
Defending What is Yours
The Costs of Finding Energy
Writing Assignment #2 due
Foraging Tradeoffs: Should I Eat or Should I…?
(Search Paths Activity & Course Evaluation)
Avoiding Being Dinner
Evolution of Communication: The Hyena’s Case
Speaking without Words
Writing Assignment #3 due
Review
EXAM 2
Evolution of Sex: The Case for Males
Knowing Your Competition: Intrasexual Selection
(Course Evaluation)
Vying for Attention: Intersexual Selection
Writing Assignment #4 due
Mating Systems – Male Strategies
Mating Systems – Female Strategies
Parental Care: To Rear or Not to Rear
Social (R)Evolution
Writing Assignment #5 due
Special Byrne Seminar – Dr. Temple Grandin
“Animal Handling & Animal Welfare Auditing”
Master Class, 11am @ Round House
“Animals Make Us Human”
Public Lecture, 8pm @ MPR, Rutgers Student Center
Can Altruism Exist?
Human Ethology: We Behave Too
CHAPTER
1
1
2
4
5
3
8
8
8
7
7
6
9
9
10
10
10
11
11
12
13
13
14
10
Altered Behavior (A Toxicological Perspective)
Review
Writing Assignment #6 due
Monday, December 21st, 12:00 – 3:00 PM: FINAL EXAM
Any changes to the class schedule will be announced in class. Topics not covered in
lecture may be covered in reading assignments.
FIRST IV
The instructor for this course is a participant in the FIRST IV program. FIRST stands for
Faculty Institutes for Reforming Science Teaching and is a national dissemination
project designed to reform undergraduate science education through the professional
development of postdocs who will design biology courses for a learner-centered
classroom. Pursuant to the goals of the program, you (the students) will be ask to
complete online surveys (accessible via Sakai) for which you will receive participation
credit toward the final grade of this course. In addition, at least one full class meeting
will be videotaped for the purposes of instructor evaluation. For more information on
this program, visit https://www.msu.edu/~first4/ or inquire with your instructor.