BSCI360/708B Class Schedule 2008


(click on topic to see lecture outline or reading assignment)

Month

Day

Topic

Session

Notes

Reading

Sept

3

Intro & levels of analysis

Lecture 1

08pdf

Ch. 1


5

Animal behavior experiments

Discussion

 

8 Inferring evolution

Lecture 2

08pdf

Ch. 1, 182-186

10

Behavioral genetics-single genes

Lecture 3

08pdf

pp. 55-77

12

Drosophila courtship gene Discussion

15

Behavioral genetics - polygenes

Lecture 4

08pdf

pp. 78-88

17

Adaptation and selection

Lecture 5

08pdf

Ch. 1, pp 176-182

19 Selection on Soay sheep Discussion

22

Instinct and learning

Lecture 6

08pdf

pp 88-125

24

Social learning

Lecture 7

08pdf

Ch. 2

26 Social learning and teaching
Problem set I due
Discussion
29 Migration and navigation Lecture 8 08pdf
pp 130-140, 252-263
Oct 1 Biological clocks

Lecture 9

08pdf

pp 148-160

3

Migration

Discussion

 

 


3-4

Fall migration @ Cape May, NJ

Field trip

 

Optional

 

6

MIDTERM I (L1-9)

Exam

 

 

8

Optimal decision making

Lecture 10

08pdf

pp 209-228
10 Decision making by groups Discussion
 

13

Grant Proposal Discussion

Lecture 11

08pdf


15

Foraging in a variable environment

Lecture 12

08pdf

17 Chipmunk foraging Discussion

20

Group living

Lecture 13

08pdf

pp 175-181, 187-206, 220-222, 438-442

22

Conflict resolution

Lecture 14

08pdf

pp 216-220

24 Selfish herds of minnows Discussion

27

Assessment

Lecture 15

08pdf

pp 264-273

29

Dominance and territoriality

Lecture 16

08pdf

pp 241-252
31 Assessment by spiders and wasps Discussion

 Nov

3

Communication
Problem set II due

Lecture 17

08pdf

pp 228-237, 275-282, 297-314, 452-453

5

Sex and sex ratios

Lecture 18

08pdf

Ch. 10

7 Communication in chickens Discussion

10

Sexual selection

Lecture 19

08pdf pp 288-297,
Ch. 10

12

MIDTERM II (L10-19)

Exam

14

Sperm competition Discussion    

17

Mating systems

Lecture 20

08pdf

Ch. 11

19

Lekking

Lecture 21

08pdf

Ch. 11

21 Lekking in birds in mammals
Preproposal last chance
Discussion

24

Dispersal and life history

Lecture 22

08pdf

 

26

Parental care

Lecture 23

08pdf

Ch. 12

28

Thanksgiving

Holiday

 

Dec

1

Cooperative breeding
Grant Proposals DUE!

Lecture 24

08pdf

Ch. 13


3

Eusociality

Lecture 25

08pdf

Ch. 13


5

Grant proposal reviews

Discussion

 

8

Reciprocity

Lecture 26

08pdf

Ch. 13

10

Human behavior

Lecture 27

08pdf Ch. 14

12

Grant proposal reviews

Discussion

17

FINAL (L1-27) 8-10AM

Exam