Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Animal Behavior (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 4410-01

Course: BIOL 4410-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 30949

Course Description

Study of adaptive value of animal behavior and behavioral diversity, including foraging, territoriality, communication, mating systems, sexual selection, and social behavior, with emphasis on evolutionary and ecological interpretations. Three (3) hours of lecture per week. Field trip to the Pacific Ocean may be scheduled. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3110 and MATH 1040 and satisfactory completion of the ETS Major Field Exam - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C 

This course will provide you with an understanding of the study of animal behavior; i.e., how and why animals behave as they do. In addition to identifying major behavioral patterns and processes, you will be given experience in observational and experimental techniques used to study behavior. We will also be exploring the scientific literature of this field. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be expected to be able to: Understand both evolutionary and physiological/developmental forces in influencing behavioral patterns; Apply scientific methods to experimental and observational study of behavior; Use scientific literature to formulate questions and hypotheses; Effectively communicate (oral & written) to discuss scientific findings, concepts, and advanced topics related to behavior.

Required Texts

Rubenstein D.R. and J. Alcock. 2019. Animal Behavior, 11th ed. Oxford University Press ISBN:97/1605355481 (paperback), ISBN: 9781605357706 (ebook).
 You may use older versions of the book as well.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge of Biology: Students will demonstrate an understanding of general knowledge of biology: its language, history, findings and applications.

Understanding of Interactions and Adaptations: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of interactions and adaptations within and among biological systems.

Methodologies of Science (Inquiry and Analysis): Students will demonstrate an understanding of the methodologies of science and will synthesize new knowledge from scientific literature; students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the following: 1. the scientific method and 2. reading, understanding, and critiquing peer-reviewed literature.

Effective Communication: Students will communicate effectively in oral, written, and other formats; students will demonstrate their skills in the following areas: 1. oral presentation of scientific work or synthesis of knowledge from the field and 2. written presentation of scientific work or synthesis of knowledge from the field.

Course Requirements

Research Project: You and up to two other students will propose, carry out, write, and present a research project based on an animal behavior topic of your choice. A research trip to San Diego is planned, but you may work on your project locally. Preliminary group proposals (introduction, outline of methods, & two annotated citations) are due on Sept. 18, at which time you will discuss your ideas with the instructor (Project Review Days). At the end of the semester, your group’s final products for the project will consist of an oral presentation (presented by your group) and a written paper (completed individually). Proposal and paper guidelines will be available through canvas. Proposals and final papers can be turned in online (canvas).

Class Discussions: We will be having lectures/discussions each week. To be prepared on these days, you must complete a reading before coming to class. You will be working within a group of three or four to outline the readings. You will use these outlines to discuss certain topics within your group. In these class periods, you will be given a set of questions to address as a group and to complete individually. These are due at the end of class. There are no make-ups for these conclusions, as they are a result of your participation in discussions.

Literature Reviews: There will be five papers taken from the literature as external readings. These papers need to be reviewed and a brief summary turned in (see class schedule for dates). Papers are available through canvas and reviews can be submitted online.

Laboratory notes & investigations: Although there is no formal lab, we will be conducting scientific investigations each week on Tuesday. Assignments based upon these investigations will allow you to hone your application and presentation of scientific techniques. You must keep a separate lab/field notebook to document all of your notes & observations made during these investigations. Field notes must also include all notes & observations from your research project. There are no make-ups for missed investigations.

Exams: Exams will consist of short essays where you will be required to synthesize and apply the material you’ve learned up to that exam. The week before the exam, you will be given a review sheet with possible topics & questions. Materials from readings, lecture/discussion, and lab activities will be included. 

Grading Criteria Points 
Lecture exams – 150 points each, 2 exams 300 
Research Project Proposal (initial, peer-review, final) 75
Presentation 50
Paper 75
Labs (10 points each) 80
Literature Reviews (20 points each) 100
Class Assignments (10 points each) 120
Total Points 800


Grading Scale (the exact grades will depend on the point distribution in the class)
 94-100% A 74-76% C
 90-93% A- 70-73% C-
 87-89% B+ 67-69% D+
 84-86% B 64-66% D
 80-83% B- 55-63% D-
 77-79% C+ <55% F

Course Outline

Tentative Class Schedule
Date Lecture topic Reading 10th edition with older editions in ()
Aug 28 Introduction, Projects & Field Notes 
Evolution & Animal Behavior Alcock Ch. 1 and 10
Sept 2 Generating Questions/Hypothesis Lab 1
Sept 4 Proximate & Ultimate Questions Alcock Ch. 10 (Ch. 2)
Sept 9 Constructing an Ethogram Lab 2
Sept 11 Ultimate: Survival Adaptations Alcock Ch. 5 (Ch. 6); Significance of Animal Behavior review due
Sept 16 Observing and Quantifying Behavior Lab 3
Sept 18 Ultimate: Feeding Behavior Alcock Ch. 5 (Ch. 7); Proposals Due!
Sept 23 Proposal Review
Sept 25 Proximate: Behavioral Development Alcock Ch. 11 (Ch. 3)
Sept 30 Statistical Analysis Lab 4
Oct 2 Proximate: Neural Mechanisms Alcock Ch. 12 (Ch. 4)
Oct 7 Ultimate: Habitat Choice Alcock Ch. 6 (Ch. 8)
Oct 9 Catch-up and review
 Exam #1 in Testing Center
Oct 11-14 Fall Break and Field Trip to San Diego
Oct 16 Proximate: Neurons and Hormones Alcock Ch. 13 (Ch. 5); Von Uexkull's Tick review
Oct 21 Data presentation Lab 5
Oct 23 Ultimate: Communication Alcock Ch. 4 (Ch. 9)
Oct 28 Data Analysis: Using R Bring data from research 
Oct 30 Ultimate: Reproductive Behavior Alcock Ch. 7-8 (Ch. 10-11); His Brain, Her Brain review due
Nov 4 Spatial learning Lab 6
Nov 6 Ultimate: Parental Care Alcock Ch. 9 (Ch. 12); Social Cognition in Dogs review due
Nov 11 Signaling Simulation Lab 7
Nov 13 Ultimate: Social Behavior Alcock Ch. 2-3 (Ch. 13)
Nov 18 Mating Ecology Simulation Lab 8
Nov20 Ultimate: Human Behavior Alcock Ch. 14, Selfish Sentinels review due
Nov 24-28 Holiday – Thanksgiving Break
Dec 2 Presentations Paper due
Dec 4 Presentations 
Dec 10 (Wednesday) Comprehensive Final Exam 3:00 PM – 4:50 PM (In Class)


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Your Responsibilities as a Student: 
• Show up to class on time! 
• Turn off cell phones during class! 
• Course requirements must be completed independently. Plagiarism of any of the course requirements will not be tolerated, this includes the use of AI to complete your work. If you have been determined to be dishonest in completion of any course requirement, you will receive a zero for that work and depending on the extent of the dishonesty, may fail the course and may receive further action from the university.

Policy on Missed or Late Work: Exams and assignments are due during the class period indicated and will not be accepted late without either prior approval or if you experience a serious injury/illness or death in the family. You must notify me immediately and take the exam or turn in your late assignment within a day of your return back to school. Other excuses must be discussed with me and evaluated on an individual basis.

Canvas: Lecture notes, review papers, writing instructions, etc. will be available online through canvas. You will also be required to submit your written work through canvas. You can also view your current grades through canvas so you can keep track of your course progress.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required so if you need to miss class for any reason please contact me.

You will lose ½ of the available points for late assignments (up to one week). If assignments are turned in after one week you will not be given credit for the assignment. If you miss a assignment, quiz or exam and do not have a medical or otherwise valid excuse you will not be able to make up the material. If you know you are going to miss an assignment, quiz or exam please make arrangements to take the exam or quiz early if possible and hand in any assignments. If something comes up please contact me and we can make arrangements based on your situation.

You cannot learn biology just by sitting in a lecture hall listening to a lecturer; I expect you to take an active role in your learning. This requires that you come to class prepared, ready to participate by asking questions about what you do not understand, and by applying what you learn to novel situations. I will test on concepts and you will be expected to interpret information and data. It is to your advantage to attend lectures as well as labs.

Treatment of Live Animals

TREATMENT OF LIVE ANIMALS: In this course, we will conduct experiments using live animals. These animals are to be treated with respect at all times. In addition, any vertebrate animal used in this course is covered by protocols and permits under the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (http://www.iacuc.org). IACUC has strict requirements for the ethical care and use of animals in research and educational settings. Guidelines for animal care set forth by IACUC will be followed at all times. Failure to comply with IACUC guidelines will result in a failing grade for the research project. Students do not have the authority to make decisions regarding proper animal care and use. All decisions should be made in conjunction with the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.