ANIMAL BEHAVIOR COURSE OUTLINE 2014
Mrs. Chase
Phone: 542-5030 ext. 4224
Email:
Website: http://www.akronschools.org/chase
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
· 3 ring binder
· Bring a pencil/pen every day
· Agenda
CLASSROOM RULES:
· Be a good listener when others are talking
· Follow directions.
· Be in your seat with a pencil, paper, book, homework …etc when bell rings.
· Treat others with respect
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Inappropriate behavior in Science class is not only disruptive to ALL students’ learning but can be down right dangerous! Discipline guidelines in ACS student handbook will be followed. I WILL CALL HOME ABOUT ANY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS.
TREATMENT OF ANIMALS: You will be handling animals at various times throughout this course. You are expected to treat them humanely and follow teacher instructions so neither you nor the animal will be harmed. Failure to comply with this will result in immediate removal from the course.
HELP: I will be available before and after school and at arranged times to answer any questions or to provide additional help. There is no such thing as a “dumb” question. Please ask for help if you do not understand the concepts!
WEBSITE: For info about homework, due dates, class presentations, copies of assignments, a website has been set up to help students and parents at: http://www.akronschools.org//Domain/148
EVALUATION/GRADING: Overall final course grade is determined by the following:
1st Quarter = 40%; 2nd Quarter = 40%; Final Exam = 20%
**A semester project will consist of observation of animals at the zoo. We will attempt to plan a field trip to the zoo**
ATTENDANCE/MAKE UP POLICY: It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to arrange for completing any make up work. If you know IN ADVANCE you will be absent (including for school activities) you must arrange to complete the work BEFORE the absence. If you have an excused absence NOT known in advance, you will have 1 day for each day absent to complete any makeup work.
ORGANIZATION:
Students need to come to class prepared to work. Please remember to bring a pencil, paper/notebook, and any homework to class EVERY DAY. Extra trips back to your locker for forgotten items interrupt class, and will not be allowed. Students are asked to keep all assignments, handouts, etc in a science notebook/binder for use on semester test.
LATE WORK: Learning to budget your time and meet deadlines is a valuable job/life skill which students will need in the “real world”! LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!
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DEAR PARENT/GUARDIAN: Above you will find info regarding ANIMAL BEHAVIOR this semester.
Please KEEP THE FIRST SHEET FOR FUTURE REFERENCE and have your student return this portion with a signature, so I know you have received this information.
STUDENT NAME ______
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE ______
Animal Behavior Topic Outline
Animals have patterns of behavior that help them survive and reproduce. Some of these behavior patterns are inherited and some are learned. Humans, like other animals, have both types of behavior, and these patterns enable their survival as well.
1. Introduction to Animal Behavior
2. Innate Behavior
a. Inherited Behavior
i. Natural selection favors certain behaviors
ii. Genes form the basis of innate behavior
b. Automatic Reponses
i. Nervous System & endocrine System
1. Internal & external cues
2. Kinesis & Taxis
ii. Reflex
iii. Fight-or-Flight response
iv. Fixed Action Pattern
1. Releaser
c. Instinctive Behavior
i. Courtship behavior ensures reproduction
1. Mating Systems
ii. Territoriality reduces competition
iii. Aggressive behavior threatens other animals
iv. Submission leads to dominance hierarchies
v. Foraging Behavior
vi. Parental Care
vii. Behavior resulting from internal and external cues
1. Cyclic behavior
a. Biological Rhythms
b. Migration
c. Hibernation
d. Social behavior
i. Cooperative behavior
ii. Altruism
iii. Kin Selection
3. Learned Behavior
a. What is learned behavior?
b. Kinds of learned behavior
i. Habituation: A simple form of learning
ii. Imprinting: a permanent attachment
iii. Learning by trial and error
iv. Classical conditioning: learning by association
v. Operant Conditioning
vi. Insight: The most complex type of learning
c. The Role of Communication
i. Most animals communicate
1. Chemical signals
2. Tactile signals
3. Visual signals
4. sound signals
ii. Using both innate and learned behavior
iii. Some animals use language
4. Evolution of Behavior
a. Costs & Benefits
5. Primate Behavior
6. Human Behavior