LINK to
Outer Banks Powerpoint
We will leave at
HON
120-309: Observing Animal Behavior Spring
2003
Instructors: Mark
Galizio, Psychology, S&B 110C, 962-3813
Email: galizio@uncw.edu
Kate Bruce, Psychology,
Honors Office, 962-3374
Email: bruce@uncw.edu
Class Web Page: navigate
from http://people.uncw.edu/bruce/
…To a person uninstructed in natural history, his
country or seaside stroll is a walk through a gallery filled with wonderful
works of art, nine-tenths of which have their faces turned to the wall.
--Thomas Huxley, 1854
Purpose: Discussion and hands-on experience using
different techniques to observe animals in their natural environments and in
laboratory environments. Discussion of
current issues related to animal research.
Format: The class will meet both at the scheduled
time on Tuesday afternoons (3:30 to 4:45) as specified below and at other times
for field trips- times TBA.
Participation/Class
Discussion:
Regular attendance and informed participation in class discussion form the
basis for this portion of your grade.
You are expected to attend each class and field trip. Assigned readings will be made available on
library reserve; no textbook is required.
Readings will be announced in class at least one week prior to class
discussion. Purchase of a good field
guide to Eastern US birds is recommended (we will give suggestions in
class). Binoculars are also strongly
recommended.
Field Trips: Field trips will include:
a) Naturalistic observation of waterfowl behavior at the Outer Banks (Feb
21-22-23); b) Marsh Hike and captive animal observations at the NC Aquarium
(April 13). In addition, we will go to the Tote-em-in
Zoo one Tuesday afternoon during class time.
Reaction Papers to Field Trips: Each reaction paper should be typed, double-spaced,
approximately 2 pages long. You should
describe the animals and/or behavior you observed and include your reactions
and interpretations of the observations you made during the experience. Feel free to relate your observations to your
readings on the topic when appropriate or to class discussion. Also turn in your class field notes with the
reaction.
Independent Project. Each student will develop an independent
project observing animal behavior and will present the findings to the class
and in a short summary paper. This
project can be an extension of one of the field trip experiences (e.g., further
focal animal sampling observations). You
could also volunteer to observe animal behavior activities with a faculty
member whose research involves animal behavior- we will give you some ideas in
class. Alternatively you may develop
some other independent project. In all
cases, you must discuss your project idea with one or both of us before
beginning your project. You should spend
at least 5 hours observing animals for your project and summarize and discuss
your observations and interpretations in a 3-4 page typed, double-spaced paper.
You will also turn in your field notebook.
This is due the date of the class presentations.
January 14 Introduction to Class (Lehner, Chapter 1)
January 28 Observation Techniques (Lehner, Chapter 4)
February 4 Observation Techniques (Lehner, Chapter 8)
Feb 25 Animal Behavior in the laboratory
March 4 Animal Einsteins
March 11 No class: Spring Break
*********topics
due*************
March 18 Ethics & Animal Research (Field Notes
Due)
March 25 no class
Evaluation:
Participation: (25%) in class discussion based on readings and field experiences.
Field notes and reaction papers (40%)-Two sets of field notes
on animals from the 2 field trips along with a 1-2 page summary of your
reactions/observations of the trip (20% each).
Final Project (35%), including field or lab notes, 5-10 minute class presentation
and 3-4 page paper.
Note:
Reading for class,
definitions, and project ideas: Lehner, Philip (1996, second edition). Handbook
of Ethological Methods, Cambridge University Press. on reserve.
Chapter
1: Introduction- What is Ethology? (Lehner, Chapter 1)
Chapter 4:
Reconnaissance Observation- Field Notes (Lehner, Chapter 4)
Chapter 6:
Design of Research: Variables and
Definitions (Lehner, Chapter 6)