Biology 280 - Animal Behavior

Shaped by millions of years of evolution, animals have evolved myriad abilities to respond to their environment, their potential predators and prey, and members of their own species. This course examines animal behavior from both a mechanistic and a functional perspective. Drawing upon examples from a diverse range of taxa, and using articles from the primary scientific literature, we will discuss topics such as behavioral endocrinology, sexual selection and mating systems, animal communication, and kinship and cooperation. Four classroom hours per week.

Requisite: BIOL 181. Limited to 20 students. Fall semester. Professor Clotfelter.

How to handle overenrollment: Preference given to biology majors and according to class year (seniors first, etc.)

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: reading primary literature and in-class written exams and/or individual oral exams.