Cognitive Science 0220 - Animal Behavior II

This is the second of a two-course sequence exploring the main theoretical ideas and methods of ethology, the scientific study of animal behavior. In this second semester we continue to explore the functional and evolutionary bases of animal behavior and cognition, including mating systems, parental care, development of behavior, and the influence of neural systems on behavior . Students will also continue to put into practice some of the ways that ethologists observe, record and measure behavior outdoors in the natural world. The main reading and discussion material for the course will be drawn from the second half of John Alcock's textbook, Animal Behavior, supplemented by journal articles from the professional scientific literature. Two summary/critique papers on the journal articles will be required, along with a report on a public lecture relevant to the themes of the course, and a full-length term paper on a species and research topic of the student's choosing. The final project will be presented to the whole class either orally or in a poster session. Prerequisite detail: Animal Behavior I, or instructor permission.

Mind, Brain, and Information Writing and Research Quantitative Skills Independent Work In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research. This course will have field trips and there will be a $30 cost per student.