Behavioral Ecology – B4180
uvacollab.virginia.edu
Butch Brodie
223 Gilmer Hall
(Mountain Lake Biological Station Office)
http://faculty.virginia.edu/brodie/
Overview – Behavioral ecology as a field
sprang from the desire to explain the bizarre behaviors of beasts and to
understand the natural history around us. Traditionally, Behavioral Ecology has
emphasized the adaptive value and explanations for animal behavior. The goal of
this course is to teach you to think critically and analytically about
explanations for natural phenomena rather than simply adopt the Just-so-Story
approach. In particular, weÕll examine hypotheses (and evidence for and against
them) explaining a range of behavioral phenomena from foraging decisions to
parental care to antipredator mechanisms to
sociality. The emphasis here is on evolutionary understanding, so we will draw
on a variety of tools from genetics, evolution, mathematics, ecology, economics.
Classes – Class periods will be predominantly lecture, but
will be much more interesting if you interrupt and ask questions. We will have
in-class exercises to break up the monotony and emphasize some topics. Because
natural history is a core of the field, weÕll incorporate some story telling
and occasional videos. Behavioral ecology can be a tremendously fun topic if
you choose to be interactive. I will make lecture powerpoints available after lecture.
Readings – The main text is Krebs and
Davies Introduction to Behavioral Ecology
3rd ed. You should consider the text supporting material. Lectures
will not necessarily follow the text, and primary readings will be assigned for
most lectures (available as pdfs on the uvacollab site).
Readings will be most useful if you complete them before lecture.
An
auxiliary text for the second part of the course is Olivia JudsonÕs Dr. TatianaÕs Sex Advice for All Creation.
The book is an in depth guide to the natural history and evolutionary biology
of sex. You should read the book just for fun, but for our purposes, it is a
tremendously complete insight into the variety of problems in mating systems,
sexual reproduction, mate choice and the like.
COLLAB
I will maintain a UVacollab site with resources
(lecture notes and readings) and updated schedule. Assignments will be turned
in through UVacollab.
Grading
Grades are based
on 2 in-class exams (30 % each), a final group presentation (30%), and literature
synopses + class participation (10%). Makeup
exams are not offered –3 hourly exams will be given,
you may count scores from any two. Exams will be a mix of short answer, short
essay and perhaps multiple-choice. Exams will focus mainly on recent lectures,
but may be cover any prior topic (ie, they may be
cumulative). No finals period final is planned.
Assignments
are penalized 30% for every 24 hrs late, starting immediately after the posted
deadline.
Literature Synopses (3 @ 2.5% each)
You will be asked to explore primary literature throughout
the semester. As part of this exploration, I will ask you to submit a 1p,
single spaced literature synopsis for each of three readings. The reading must
come from the primary empirical literature. Each synopsis must include an
identification of the hypothesis tested, and descriptions of the relevant
natural history of the organism, the empirical approach (methods), and most
pertinent result(s). A single figure or table summarizing the key finding from
the paper will also be required (in addition to the 1p text).
Final Presentation
The final
presentation takes the form of a research summary/grant proposal. Your team has
15 minutes to explain and motivate a problem in behavioral ecology, identify
and support an appropriate system for study, summarize the relevant knowledge,
and outline a path of new research. Teams of 3 students will work together on
the project and co-present. More details will be made available in October
The
presentation is in lieu of a final paper. You should approach it with the same
fervor as you would a written piece. Grades will be based on the presentation
itself, the powerpoint and
notes pages, and classmate reviews of the presentations. Attendance during and
review of other groupsÕ presentations will be mandatory and contribute to your
own grade. Each individual will anonymously grade the participation of his/her
own group members (pay careful attention during tit-for-tat and reciprocity
lectures!).
Contact/Communication
I am most easily
contacted by email or in person. I welcome you to stop by the Mountain Lake
office (223 Gilmer), but it is best to set a time in advance to catch me. I do
not generally schedule regular office hours except before exams.
Please
do not expect instant email response, especially before exams. Contrary to
popular belief, I am not usually awake at 2 am the morning of an exam, and if I
am, IÕm unlikely to be responding to course emails.
Absences
Attendance is up
to you except for exam and presentation dates, which are mandatory. Absences on
these days will be accommodated only for health issues (with doctorÕs letter),
documented family crises or pre-arranged official university commitments. In all cases, contact me beforehand if
you know there is a problem!
Honor Policy
I take the
concept of an Honor Code and ethical conduct seriously. I fully expect every
student to abide by the guidelines of ethical conduct spelled out by the
UniversityÕs Honor Code. I
consider any act of plagiarism, cheating, lying, wandering eyes, information
sharing on exams, or deception regarding an excused absence to be a violation.
I will report violations of the Honor Code and encourage students in my class
to do so as well. Regardless of findings of an eventual Honor investigation,
students found to be cheating on assignments or exams will earn an F for the
course.