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Behavior of Mammals
Bi/CNS 216
6 units (4-0-2); first term (Fall 2015)
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.
Class meets Wednesdays 2-4 and Fridays 2-4 in 200 Broad.
Instructor: John Allman
TA: Tobin Ivy
Grading is based on:
1. Presentations made on the listed readings. Each student will
be responsible for at least two 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 urged to use
related literature to enhance the presentation.
2. Grant Proposal -- A five page (not including literature cited) grant
proposal based on some aspect of mammalian behavior. Submit your proposal
topic by October 25. The full proposal is due Wednesday, November 25,
submitted via email to Tobin Ivy as a Microsoft Word (.doc) attachment.
You don't have to include a budget, but your proposal should be feasible.
Base your proposal on the "project description" section of an NSF grant proposal
(taken from http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/nsf04_23/2.jsp#IIC2d).
The Project Description should provide a clear statement of the work to be
undertaken and must include: objectives for the period of the proposed work
and expected significance; relation to longer-term goals of the PI's project;
and relation to the present state of knowledge in the field, to work in progress
by the PI under other support and to work in progress elsewhere.
Other helpful links may include: NIH grant writing tips
Grading breakdown:
1. Two presentations, each worth 25% of the grade
2. Quizzes, worth a total of 25% of the grade
3. Grant proposal, worth 25% of the grade
Texts (order online):
- David MacDonald, The Encyclopedia of Mammals. Readings from the
Encyclopedia of Mammals should be completed before the viewing date
of the associated films. These readings will not be presented.
- Frans de Waal and Frans Lanting, Bonobo, the Forgotten Ape.
Both these books can be easily obtained from Amazon.
Wednesday |
Friday |
September 30
NO CLASS |
October 2
Organizational meeting--syllabus discussed, readings assigned for presentation
Wolves transformed into dogs, Robert Wayne, CARTA symposium,
2014
http://carta.anthropogeny.org/events/domestication-and-human-evolution |
October 7
Gremlins of the Night (prosimians)
Short Lecture: Early primate evolution
EM 442-475 (bats), 302-307, 312-313 (bush babies, lorises, pottos,
tarsiers) |
October 9
Evolution of mammals |
October 14
Gremlins: Faces in the Forest (marmosets and tamarins)
Rocky Mountain Beaver Pond
Allman and Hasenstaub (2000) Caretaking, risk-seeking, and survival in
anthropoid primates. [pdf]
EM 314-318 (marmosets and tamarins), 142-147 (beavers) |
October 16
Biparental care |
October 21
White Wolf
Dogs Decoded
EM 590-619 (dog family) |
October 23
PROPOSAL TOPICS DUE
Family groups |
October 28
Meerkats United
Kangaroos: Faces in the Mob
EM 660-667 (mongoose), 48-59 (kangaroos and wallabies), xxxi
(kin selection and reciprocal altruism) |
October 30
Large communities |
November 4
The Monkey Puzzle (David Attenborough)
http://www.veoh.com/watch/v1409539kcDBdYCz
Monkeys of the Temple Forest (45 min.)
EM 286-305 (strepsirhines), 336-357 (guenons, macaques, baboons) |
November 6
Primate troops |
November 11
Reflections on Elephants (55 min.)
Dolphins (55 min.)
EM 90-101 (elephants), 814-857 (toothed and gray whales) |
November 13
Matriarchies |
November 18
The Last Great Ape (56 min.)
EM 384-391 (chimpanzees), 420-425 (orangutans) |
November 20
Great apes |
November 25
GRANT PROPOSALS DUE
Orangutansr:, the High Society (55 min.)
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November 27
Thanksgiving Recess
NO CLASS |
December 2
Elephant Seals (72 min.)
| December 4
Discussion of grant proposals
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