Class Information

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Course Outline:

The class information is as follows The study of animal behavior (ethology) is viewed as one portion of the science of biology. In this activity oriented course, students will use hands-on experiences, labs, and comparative analysis to study the behavior of invertebrates, vertebrates, and the relationships between human and lower-animal behavior. Recognizing that observation is the main tool of the behavioral scientist, students will perform observations in class, out of class, and/or during field trips. Writing, reporting, graphing, analyzing, and interpreting skills will be emphasized. Students will study how animals learn and then will use this knowledge in training an animal.

Assessments

Quizzes: Surprised and announced quizzes will be given regularly. Quizzes are worth 10 points or more and will be on vocabularyand reading assignments.

Tests: Unit exams will be given upon completion of the units. They include multiple choice, true or false, short answer, and essay questions.

Assignments: Daily work, homework, labs and other activites will be graded for the completion and accuracy. Students expect 3-4 assignments per week.

Extra Credit: Generally, extra credit will not be given to students that are missing work. Opportunities to improve your grade may be given to students that have completed all required work. The exception will be Kleenex: A box of Kleenex will be worth 10 points. You may only bring in one box per trimester.

This is the grading scale of the class:

  1. A=92% or higher
  2. A-=90-91%
  3. B+=88-89%
  4. B=82-87%
  5. B-=80-81%
  6. C+=78-79%
  7. C=72-77%
  8. C-=70-71%
  9. D+=68-69%
  10. D=62-67%
  11. D-=60-61%
  12. F=60% or below

Course Outline

Unit 1: Are reactsions predictable? Behavior Basics Unit 2: What's going on in the wild? Learned/Complex Behaviors Unit 3: What form of intelligent life are out there? Social Groups In Animals Unit 4: Can I control your mind? Application of Information Final Exam
What is an animal-lecture Behvior research project-poster Communication-lecture, video Types of learned behavior-lecture, simulation Cumulative Final Exam-over all materials
Definitions: behavior, stimulus, response-make a poster Preditor/Pray Relationships-lecture, simulation, video Social insects-bee research Nature vs. Nurture argument-article
Types of behavior: reflex, innate(instinct), involuntary, learned-video Biological Rhythm Gorilla Studies (Dian foosey)-pedigree study Chick Trick-teaching behavior in chicks, video
Taxes in animals-lecture, isopod lab Social Competitive Behaviors 1.Territoriality-crayfish lab 2.Dominance Hierarchy-video 3.Agonistic Behavior-betta fish lab Assessments:vocabulary quiz, research project,unit exam Animal Emotions-video, essay
Fixed Action Pattern-lecture Mating Strategies-computer simulation, video, lecture Assessments-vocabulary quiz, unit exam Assessments-vocabulary quiz, video presentation of trick
4 Types of Observation Techniques-cricket study
Jane Goodall-video
Assessments: vocabulary quiz, research project, unit exam