Animal Communication

 

Syllabus

 

Instructor:                 Dr. Jerry Wilkinson

 

Office:                         Room 2223B (inside lab 2223) Biology/Psychology Bldg

Phone:                        301-405-6942

Fax:                             301-314-9358

Email:                        wilkinso@umd.edu

Web page:                  www.life.umd.edu/faculty/wilkinson/bsci338

 

Office hours:              Tuesday 1-2:00 or by appointment

 

Lectures:                    Tuesday and Thursday, 11-12:15; 1130 Plant Sciences Building

 

Prerequisites: Required: Biology 106; one semester of physics, one semester of organic chemistry.  Highly recommended: A course in animal behavior or biopsychology

 

Text: Principles of Animal Communication  by Jack Bradbury and Sandra Vehrencamp, Sinauer Press, 1998

 

Software: Raven Pro v.1.3, Interactive Sound Analysis Software available from the Cornell lab of ornithology at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/raven/RavenVersions.html

 

 

Overview: 

 

During the first part of this course we will examine the mechanisms by which animals produce and receive signals in each sensory modality.  We will then consider methods for quantifying the type and amount of information conveyed in signals and how animals may attend to such information.  In the final section of the course we will use optimality reasoning to make predictions about signal design in different social and ecological contexts.  Some sections of this course will require that you integrate material from other science courses, e.g. in discussing olfactory communication it will help to remember some organic chemistry and in discussing auditory communication you will need to know some introductory physics to understand how sound is produced and propagated through the environment.  Other topics will extend beyond traditional science courses, such as the evolution of language, and will incorporate material from psychology, philosophy, computer science and linguistics.  Consequently, the prerequisites for this course will be enforced.  This course is intended for advanced undergraduate or graduate students with interests in animal behavior, physiology, psychology, cognitive science and artificial intelligence.

 

Goals:  

 

By illustrating the diverse ways in which animals modify each others' behavior using sound, visual displays, chemicals, surface vibrations, and electrical signals, I hope to persuade you that animals, including ourselves, interact using a far greater array of morphological and physiological adaptations than you might think judging from your own sensory experiences.  I also hope to reinforce basic evolutionary principles by providing a logical framework for understanding the evolution of signal production and reception adaptations.  By requiring that you write two papers and work as a group to complete a project, I hope to improve your ability to synthesize scientific issues and express yourself clearly and logically.  Finally, by utilizing simple-to-use, but sophisticated software I hope you will gain appreciation for how new technology is enabling scientists to conduct studies that were impossible until recently.

 

Exams:

 

There will be one midterm examination which will count 25% of your grade, and a final that will count 30% of your grade.  Both exams will be held in PLS 1130.  Tests will be short answer and will include some problem solving.  Material from both lecture and the text will be covered on the exams.  Make-up exams will only be allowed after presentation of a medical excuse from a doctor.

 

Literature summaries:

 

Five 1-page journal article summaries will be required.  These papers should summarize the content of a recent (published between 2005-2009) publication and explain how the methods and results are relevant to recent lecture material.  These review papers will be assigned about every other week to correspond with different sets of topics.  If you are registered for BSCI 338W you should read one article for each review.  If you are registered for BIOL 708W you should read and review 2 articles each time (and you can write 2 pages).  Each summary will count 20 points and together will constitute 15% of your grade.

 

Group Project:

 

We will divide into small groups (3-4 students), and each group will be responsible for collecting and analyzing a series of animal sounds.  You can record these sounds yourself using my or your equipment, you can use recordings I provide, or you can use sounds downloaded from web sites or other recordings.  Each group must decide what to measure, and then use bioacoustic analysis software (Raven v. 1.3) to extract measurements from the calls.  You will be graded on a 5-page project proposal, due March 31, and a group presentation, which will occur in class between May 5 and 12.

 

The project proposal will describe the project the group intends to complete.  A problem must be stated and put in context, source of the sounds and species name identified, and the analysis planned should be described. Students in a group are encouraged to work together to develop their hypotheses and experimental methods. However, each person must write their own proposal. Consequently, at a minimum, the introduction and discussion should be different for each person within a group. This project proposal will constitute 10% of your grade.

 

Each group will also present their results to the rest of the class during the final two weeks of class. Presentations will be evaluated by other members of the class, as well as by me. The presentation will constitute 20% of your grade.

 

Suggestions for success:

 

In my experience, a strong predictor of success in any class is attendance.  I urge you to always come to class.  If you miss class, ask a neighbor for their notes and/or see me.  I will be happy to review material covered in class with you.  If you have any questions or comments during the course, please ask or tell me.  I am most easily be reached by email, but I am also available during office hours and by appointment.

 

Academic code of conduct:

 

Academic dishonesty is not tolerated on this campus. The Code of Academic Integrity is spelled out at www.testudo.umd.edu/soc/dishonesty.html. Definitions of academic dishonesty include: CHEATING: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise.  FABRICATION: Intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.  FACILITATION: Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to violate any provision of the Code of Academic Integrity.  PLAGIARISM: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise.  You will be asked to sign an honor pledge on all exams and papers.

 

To further exhibit your commitment to academic integrity, remember to sign the Honor Pledge on all examinations and assignments: "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination (assignment)."