| Instructor: | Curtis L. Blankespoor |
|---|---|
| Science 207 | |
| 10:30-11:00am MWF or by appointment | |
| (616) 957-6498 | |
| (616) 243-0996 (not after 10:00pm, please) | |
| cblankes@calvin.edu | |
| http://www.calvin.edu/~cblankes |
Lecture Textbook: Alcock, J. 1993. Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach, 5th Edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA
Catalog Description: A study of the mechanisms and adaptive significance underlying the behavior of animals. Topics include natural and sexual selection, behavioral ecology, social behavior, orientation and navigation, animal communication, and chemical ecology. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisites: 242 and 243.
Course Home Page:
http://www.calvin.edu/~cblankes/bio338
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance: Attendance will be critical to your success in this course. Please be prompt and prepared for each class.
Laboratory: Laboratory exercises related to recent class lectures or discussions will be conducted every week. Unless otherwise instructed, a short laboratory worksheet will be due at the end of each lab. Please see me if you miss a lab for any reason.
Debate: You are required to debate (in teams of three or four) one of three selected animal behavior topics. Each team will have the opportunity to give an opening statement, present evidence for their position, rebut an opposing position, and give closing arguments.
Symposium: In lieu of a formal writing assignment, you are required to review a selected animal behavior topic, compile a short annotated bibliography, and present your results orally. Specific instructions for this assignment will be given in class.
Late work: You need to bring late assignments to me in person during my office hours or at some other previously arranged time. Unless special arrangements are made in advance, I will deduct 20% per day for all late work. In fairness to students who complete their work on time, this policy will be strictly enforced.
Exams: Three unit exams and a comprehensive final will be used to evaluate your progress. They will consist of a combination of objective questions and short answer essay questions. Although you must take every exam, the lowest score of your 4 exams will be dropped. For this reason, make-up exams will not be given and only verified medical or personal emergencies will warrant special arrangements. If possible, please notify me of such an emergency at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled exam.
Grades:
| Lecture Exams/Final | 3 of 4 | @ | 100 pts. | = | 300 pts. | (60%) |
| Lab Worksheets | 10 of 11 | @ | 10 pts. | = | 100 pts. | (20%) |
| Debate | = | 30 pts. | (6%) | |||
| Symposium | = | 70 pts. | (14%) | |||
TOTAL |
= |
500 pts. |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A CONTRACT
| If your total points are: | I will guarantee you at least a(n): | |||||
| 450 or more | (90% +) | A | (A- or A) | |||
| 400 to 449 | (80% +) | B | (B-, B, or B+) | |||
| 350 to 399 | (70% +) | C | (C-, C, or C+) | |||
| 300 to 349 | (60% +) | D | (D-, D, or D+) | |||
Signature  |
A RECOMMENDATION
The material in this course is best learned by regular, consistent
study (an hour or so each day) which includes reading the textbook
assignments, reviewing lecture notes, participating in class discussions,
and asking questions when things are unclear. It has been my
experience that this is the most effective way of mastering the
subject material. It also eliminates much of the frustration
associated with cramming for an exam.
A COMMENT
If I can help you, please let me know. I will make every effort
to assist you in any way I can. I look forward to working
with you and getting to know you.