Cognitive Science 0294 - Field Methods Animal Behavior

This course is concerned with the hands-on study of animal behavior (and cognition) in the field. Taking advantage of varied habitats in the vicinity of the college - primarily our own fields and woodlands at Hampshire College, but also the Holyoke range, the Quabbin reservoir, the Berkshire hills and elsewhere - we will learn techniques for observing, recording, describing, measuring and analyzing the behavior of some local (primarily mammalian) species, including coyotes, deer, moose, black bear and fishers. Students will collect and analyze data and submit a final written report on one species of their choosing, and should be prepared to spend a lot of time outdoors. Prerequisite: prior coursework in animal behavior.

Independent Work Quantitative Skills Writing and Research The first class will be held in ASH 111, all other classes will be at the Farm Center. In this course, students are expected to spend an average of six to eight hours a week outside of class time for reading, writing and field observation.