BSCI360/708B Class Schedule 2009

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

Month

Day

Topic

Session

Notes

Alcock 9th

Aug

31

 Intro & levels of analysis

Lecture 1

09pdf

Ch. 1

Sept 2 Inferring evolution

Lecture 2

09pdf

Ch. 1, 190-195

4 Animal behavior experiments

Discussion

9

Adaptation and selection

Lecture 3

09pdf

Ch. 1, pp 183-190

11

Rapid evolution in crickets Discussion

14

Behavioral genetics - single genes

Lecture 4

09pdf

pp. 63-97

16

Behavioral genetics - polygenes

Lecture 5

09pdf

pp. 63-97

18 Genetics of finch song Discussion

21

 Instinct and learning

Lecture 6

09pdf

pp 97-105, 109-112

23

Social learning

Lecture 7

09pdf

Ch. 2

25 Social learning
 Discussion
28 Migration and navigation
 Problem set I due		 Lecture 8 09pdf
 pp 137-147, 261-274

30 Biological clocks

Lecture 9

09pdf

pp 153-170

Oct

2

 Migration

Discussion

 

 


2-3

 Fall migration @ Cape May, NJ

Field trip

 

Optional

 

5

 MIDTERM I (L1-9)

Exam

 

 

7

Optimal decision making

Lecture 10

09pdf

pp 219-238
9 Decision making by groups Discussion
 

12

Grant Proposal Discussion

Lecture 11

09pdf


14

Foraging in a variable environment

Lecture 12

09pdf

16 Deer foraging Discussion

19

 Group living

Lecture 13

09pdf

pp 196-217, 457-463

21

Conflict resolution

Lecture 14

09pdf

pp 228-231

23 Benefits of group living Discussion

26

Assessment

Lecture 15

09pdf

pp 274-284

28

 Dominance and territoriality

Lecture 16

09pdf

pp 249-261
30 Assessment by monkeys and wasps Discussion

 Nov

2

 Communication

Lecture 17

09pdf

Ch. 9

4

 Sex and sex ratios
Problem set II due

Lecture 18

09pdf

Ch. 10

6 Communication Discussion

9

Sexual selection

Lecture 19

09pdf Ch. 10

11

MIDTERM II (L10-19)

Exam

13

Sperm competition Discussion    

16

Mating systems

Lecture 20

09pdf

Ch. 11

18

Lekking

Lecture 21

09pdf

Ch. 11

20 Lekking in birds and fish Discussion

23

Dispersal and life history

Lecture 22

08pdf

 

25

Parental care

Lecture 23

08pdf

Ch. 12

26

Thanksgiving

Holiday

 


30

 Cooperative breeding
Grant Proposals DUE!

Lecture 24

08pdf

Ch. 13

Dec

2

Eusociality

Lecture 25

08pdf

Ch. 13


4

Grant proposal reviews

Discussion

 

7

 Reciprocity

Lecture 26

08pdf

Ch. 13

9

Human behavior

Lecture 27

08pdf Ch. 14

11

 Grant proposal reviews

Discussion

16

FINAL (L1-27) 8-10AM

Exam