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Bi/CNS 216
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6 units (4-0-2); first term
A course of lectures, readings, and discussions focused on the genetic, physiological, and ecological bases of behavior in mammals. A basic knowledge of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology is desirable. Given in alternate years; offered 2009-2010.
Class meets Wednesdays 2:30-4:00 and Fridays 2:00-4:00 in 200 Broad.
Instructor: John Allman
TA: Nicole Tetreault
Grading is based on:
1. Presentations made on the listed readings. Each student will be responsible for three presentations. The presentations should be 15-20 minutes and be made in PowerPoint. They should be in the nature of a journal club talk; students are welcome to use related literature to enhance the presentation.
2. Final Exam -- A five page (not including literature cited) grant proposal based on some aspect of mammalian behavior. (See the December 4th due date on the schedule below for more details.)
Texts (order online):
- David MacDonald, The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals. Readings from The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals should be completed before the viewing date of the associated films. These readings will not be presented. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals is a softcover and is available at Amazon, among other places.
- Frans de Waal and Frans Lanting, Bonobo, the Forgotten Ape. Here is an Amazon link. Both soft and hard cover editions are available.
Movies are available for borrowing AFTER they are shown in class. They can be checked out from Atiya Hakeem in BBB (Beckman Behavioral Biology) 224. You can call x4819 to make sure she is in her office or to determine whether a particular movie is available. Please sign all movies out on the sheet provided and keep them only as long as you need (a night or two) -- other students may need to check out the movie as well, so keep the Honor Code in mind.
| Wednesday | Friday |
| September 30 NO CLASS |
October 2 Organizational meeting--syllabus discussed, readings assigned for presentation Echo and Other Elephants (first two episodes, 107 min.) |
| October 7 Leopards of the Night (60 min.) Gremlins of the Night (prosimians, 30 min.) PEM 442-473 (bats), 302-306 (bush babies, lorises, pottos, tarsiers) |
October 9 Evolution of mammals |
| October 14 Gremlins: Faces in the Forest (marmosets and tamarins, 60 min.) The Web of the Spider Monkey (45 min.) PEM 314-320 (marmosets and tamarins) |
October 16 Biparental care |
| October 21 White Wolf (50 min.) Rocky Mountain Beaver Pond (45 min.) PEM 590-619 (dog family), 142-147 (beavers) |
October 23 Family groups |
| October 28 Meerkats United (30 min.) and Meerkats Divided (30 min.) Kangaroos: Faces in the Mob (60 min.) David Attenborough naked mole rat video PEM 660-667 (mongooses), 48-59 (kangaroos and wallabies), xxiii (kin selection and reciprocal altruism) |
October 30 Large communities |
| November 4 Capuchins: the Monkey Puzzle Monkeys of the Temple Forest (45 min.) PEM 324-331 (capuchins), 336-357 (guenons, macaques, baboons) |
November 6 Capuchin Tool Use and Cooperative Behaviors |
| November 11 Reflections on Elephants (55 min.) Killer Whales: Wolves of the Sea (60 min.) PEM 90-101 (elephants), 852-857 (toothed and gray whales) |
November 13 Matriarchies |
| November 18 People of the Forest: The Chimps of Gombe (90 min.) PEM 384-390 (chimpanzees) |
November 20 Great apes I |
| November 25 Elephant Seals (72 min.) Elephant seals: selected readings |
November 27 Thanksgiving Recess NO CLASS |
| December 5 Pygmy Chimpanzee: The Last Great Ape (30 min.) Orangutans: The High Society (55 min.) PEM 400-405 (orangutans) |
December 4 Great apes II FINALS DUE |