Greene, Erick

English

University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Syllabi Course Syllabi 1-2003 BIOL 495.01: Topics in Animal Behavior Erick Greene University of Montana - Missoula, erick.Greene@mso.umt.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Greene, Erick, "BIOL 495.01: Topics in Animal Behavior" (2003). Syllabi. 1189. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/1189 This Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact scholarworks@mso.umt.edu. SYLLABUS FOR ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, SPRING 2003 Biology 405 W (3 credits - CR 33293) Topics in Animal Behavior, Biology 495  Instructor: Dr. Erick Greene; HS 205; 243-2179; erick.greene@mso.umt.edu Teaching Assistant: Gaby Palacios; NS 311; 243-4396; mg_palacios@hotmail.com  Office hours Erick Greene:   HS 205, Tuesday 11-12; Wednesday 1-2. Gaby Palacios: NS 311;   Overview This class focuses on the main conceptual underpinnings of Animal Behavior.  In the first part of the class we will review classical ethology, which focuses on “how” animals behave the way they do.  In the second part of the class we will focus on more recent developments in behavioral ecology, which focuses on “why” animals behave the way they do.    Course Objectives The objectives of this course are for you to be able to:   Understand the important organizing principles in the field of animal behavior. This will be accomplished mainly through assigned readings, class material, assignments and discussions.   Be able to use the scientific method to evaluate hypotheses.  This will be done through your critical reading of original papers from the primary literature, as well as group research projects (in the labs).   Develop your communication skills.  This will be done through your writing assignments, as well as with your group research projects.    Writing Requirement Biology 405 carries an upper level writing credit, and as substantial portion of your grade will be from your written assignments. You will have the opportunity to revise and resubmit some of your written material.  There are many resources for getting help on your writing.     The Writing Center is located in 211 Todd. You can call (243-2266), email (growl@selway.umt.edu) or drop in to set up an appointment to get excellent help with your writing.  There is also a lot of good information and additional excellent online resources at http://www.umt.edu/writingcenter. The Writing Center is an outstanding resource.   Strunk, W. and E. B. White. 2000. The Elements of Style. 4th Edition. Allyn and Bacon Press. ISBN 020530902X).  This little book is a classic, and is fun to read.  You can get it cheaply at the bookstore, or get a used copy for about $3!  Get it, read it, know it, and your writing will improve.     Laboratories The labs will meet on Monday (Section 1 – CR 32753) and Tuesday (Section 2 – CR 32754) from 1-5 PM in HS 204. Since we will try to get out doors for some of the labs, the dates of labs will depend upon weather and other acts of divine intervention. You will be provided with more information in the labs.  Miscellaneous   In addition to material covered in lectures, you will be responsible for about 20-30 pages of reading per week from the textbook and some important papers. Since the material builds upon previous topics, it is very important that you to keep up with the readings.  If you fall behind you will find it difficult to catch up.    If you have any problem, I urge you to talk with me as EARLY as possible. I am extremely accommodating if you let me know of problems early, but less so ten minutes before a test, and even less so if you are unhappy about a grade after the class is over.   If you cannot meet at any of our designated office hours, you can schedule an appointment at another time.    E-mail is an extremely good way to stay in touch about any problems you have, questions about assignments, or other issues.   If you wish to have material re-evaluated, you must talk with me within one week of when it is returned to you.    Grading                 405         495         Test 1 15 Test 1                    25 Test 2 15 Test 2                    25 Assignments 10 Assignments      25 Field Note 10 Field Note 20 Field Note bonus 5 Field Note bonus 5    Laboratory reports     15                     Independent Research Project                                      Written Report          15                      Oral Presentation         15                     Computing Resources The Division of Biological Sciences manages computer labs that are dedicated to use by biology students.  You need to sign up for an account, and this will enable you to have access to the computer hardware and software, scanners and printers. To get your account, go to Health Sciences 114 between 8 AM and 5 PM and a lab monitor will help you.  Once you have your account, you can also use the computer lab in Natural Sciences 102 (which is in the NS Annex near the greenhouse).    Change of Grading Option University policies on drops, adds, changes of grade option, or change to audit status will be enforced in this class.  These policies are described on page 19-21 of the 2002-2003 Catalog.  Before 10 March 2003, you can make changes in the grading status of your classes.  However, after this date you must petition to make changes, and such changes are NOT automatically approved.  The petition must be accompanied by documentation of extenuating circumstances that are spelled out in the catalog (illness, death in the family, etc.).  Note that requests to drop a course or change the grade basis to benefit your GPA WILL NOT BE approved.    Plagiarism Policy Although I encourage you to work collaboratively with others in this class, the work you hand in must be your own. A useful rule-of thumb is as follows.  You are encouraged to work with others to discuss questions, but when you put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), the work must be yours.  Recall the official University policy on plagiarism: "Plagiarism is the representing of another's work as one's own. It is a particularly intolerable offense in the academic community and is strictly forbidden. Students who plagiarize may fail the course and may be remanded to Academic Court for possible suspension or expulsion (See Student Conduct Code section of this catalog). Students must always be very careful to acknowledge any kind of borrowing that is included in their work. This means not only borrowed wording but also ideas. Acknowledgment of whatever is not one's own original work is the proper and honest use of sources. Failure to acknowledge whatever is not one's own original work is plagiarism." (From The University of Montana 2002-2003 Catalog, p. 22).   If you have any questions about the line between collaboration and plagiarism, see me before you hand in material.  Assignments from two or more students that have significant overlap will be regarded as reflecting a violation of the expectation that students turn in independent work.  All the students involved will be given no points for that material, and the violation will be dealt with according to the Student Conduct Code (see page 18 of The University of Montana 2002-2003 Catalog, or www.umt.edu/studentaffairs/CODE.htm).  Penalties may be as severe as suspension or expulsion from The University.      

BIOL 495.01: Topics in Animal Behavior

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BIOL 495.01: Topics in Animal Behavior

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