Students must complete BIO 128 with a grade of C or better to register for either BIO 203 or BIO 204. Studies the basic concepts of behavior as seen through ethnological, ecological and psycho-biological perspectives. Stresses the evolution and adaptive significance of behavior. Topics include the biological basis of social interactions, territoriality, aggression, mating strategies, predator-prey relationships, instinct and learning, as well as the genetic basis of behavior. Satisfies general curriculum distribution requirements.
Ecology examines relationships between species and their environment.
The contributions of abiotic and biotic factors to limitations in numbers and distributions of organisms are explored. A strong emphasis is placed upon classical ecological Issues such as production dynamics, predator-prey interactions, competition, and life history strategies in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. This course will focus on recent advances concerning the evolution and adaptive significance of behavior from a comparative point of view. Topics will include the genetic basis of behavior, the nervous system and integration of behavior, innate behaviors vs. learning and memory, social behavior, mating, predator-prey relationships, migrations, and the biological basis of aggression, territoriality and communication. This course also will address some of the above topics as they pertain specifically to marine mammals.