COURSE SYLLABUS

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

BIOL 4241 (UG)/6241 (G); PSYC 4630 HORMONES & BEHAVIOR

 

     Class hours: Tues./Thursy. 1:00 – 2:40 PM.; GCB431

     Instructor: Dr. Matthew S. Grober

            Office: Kell 204G

            Office hours: Tues 3:00-4:00, Monday 3:00-4:00.

            E-mail: mgrober@gsu.edu

PREREQUISITES: Biol 3840

COURSE DESCRIPTION / PURPOSE:

            This course is a comparative examination of hormones and behavior in animals.  We will take an evolutionary approach to this topic by emphasizing 1) the common selective pressures that act on all animals and the common hormonal and behavioral responses to these pressures, and 2) how extreme selective pressures drive the evolution of unique mechanisms in the field of behavioral endocrinology.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

            Upon successful completion of the course the student shall demonstrate:

 

1.      An understanding of the major hormonal control mechanisms that underlie behavior in animals.

 

2.      An understanding of how natural selection drives the evolution of both hormones and behavior.

 

3.      The ability to synthesize information from diverse animal taxa into a cohesive discussion regarding animal behavior and hormonal mechanisms.

4.      The ability to produce high quality written presentations of your ideas. 

 

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND RESOURCES:

            Required text:

                  Nelson, Randy J., (2005) An Introduction to Behavioral Endocrinology –3nd Ed.

                 Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, Massachusetts

            Optional text:

Carew, Thomas J., (2000) Behavioral Neurobiology: The Cellular Organization of Natural Behavior. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, Massachusetts

 

TEACHING / LEARNING METHODS:

            This course utilizes a discussion format with emphasis on student input and interaction. I expect you to play an active role in the learning process.  You will learn more and enjoy the process more if you participate. The textbook for this course is excellent, and the lecture notes are designed to highlight aspects of the text or bring in additional information to supplement the text treatment of specific topics. All of the reading assignments will be given in advance and I will assume that you have read them before attending the lecture. ‘Lecture notes’ will be posted on WebCT and 85-90% of the exams will be taken from this material and the book chapters from which the notes are excerpted.  In class we will do active learning exercises to deepen your understanding of the course material.  One common form of active learning will be a discussion / quiz session that will start each class period.  I will ask the class if they have any questions about the chapter and lecture notes for that day and we will discuss all questions at that time.  This discussion could take up the entire class period.  If there are no questions, we will have a quiz or related assessment activity to determine whether the lack of questions reflects a thorough understanding of the material or a complete lack of understanding.

            Any information from the assigned readings, lecture notes and in class activities is fair game for the exams.  If you miss a class, you will need to get the information from a classmate.

            In addition to the scheduled exams on the information provided in the discussion and lecture portions of the course, you will have to read and review articles from the primary literature.

 

EXTRA CREDIT:

            The is no formal opportunity for extra credit in this course, however the quizzes / assessment tools will provide the students with the opportunity to significantly bolster their grades.

 

GRADUATE CREDIT:

            Graduate students will have to do an additional literature review and will have one additional question on each exam. 

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

            The absolute highest standard of integrity and ethical conduct is a requirement of this course.  Deviations from this policy on any graded activity will not be tolerated.  Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of “F” on that assignment.

 

UNIVERSITY DROP / WITHDRAWAL POLICY:

            During the first two weeks of the semester you can choose to drop this course and it will not appear on your academic records.  The deadline for unrestricted withdrawal (W appears on your transcript) is 15 October.  After this date, the ‘W’ grade is not automatic (WF may appear on your transcript).  Please refer to the Schedule of Classes or General Catalog if you have any questions about these guidelines.  There will be no exceptions from University policy.

 

GRADING POLICY:

            YOU determine your grade in this course.  I do not control whether you earn an A or a C.  I simply add up the total points that you have accumulated, divide by the total possible points, and then assign your grade in accordance with University policy (see below).  Your final grade will be based on your scores on the following:

 

            1 hour lecture exams: 2 each worth 100 pts                                           200

            Quizzes / assessment tools (20-30)                                                       150

            Final exam (lecture III [50] + comprehensive [50])                                100

            Literature Review                                                                                 100/50 (G/UG)

 

                                                                                                                    ______

                                                                                    Total                            550/500 (G/UG)

 

Final grades will be assigned based on the following scale:

 

                        100  -  90 %  =  A                   69  -  60 %  =  D

                          89  -  80 %  =  B                          <60 %  =  E                                                                                     79  -  70 %  =  C

                       

            To insure that students are properly educated and continue to develop communication skills, spelling and grammar will be considered in grading all materials turned in for this class.

            Keys of the exams will be posted, and you are encouraged to compare your exam with them.  After the exams are returned to you, I will not discuss them for 48 hr -- under any circumstances.  If you feel that your exam was misgraded, you may submit it for regrading by the instructor within three weeks after your exam is returned.  Please bring any errors in calculating scores to my attention as soon as possible (after the 48 hr grace period). 

            Lecture exams may be taken late, but within one week following the scheduled date and only with prior approval of the instructor AND in cases of official University functions or serious emergencies.  You will be asked to submit proof of cause in either case. 

 

 

Tentative Schedule

August 21 (Ch.1)

            Introduction to the course / Course mechanics / Syllabus

            The Study of Behavioral Endocrinology - I

 

August 23 (Ch.1)

            The Study of Behavioral Endocrinology - II

 

August 28 (Ch. 2)

            The Endocrine System - I

 

August 30 (Ch.2)

            The Endocrine System – II

 

September 4 (Ch. 2)

            The Endocrine System - III

 

September 6 (Ch. 3)

            Sex Differences in Behavior: Sex Determination and Differentiation - I

 

September 11  (Ch. 3)

            Sex Differences in Behavior: Sex Det. and Diff. – II

 

September 13 (Ch. 4)

            Sex Differences in Behavior:  Animal Models and Humans - I                                                         

 

September 18 (Ch. 4)

            Sex Differences in Behavior:  Animal Models and Humans – II

 

September 20 (Ch. 5)

            Male Reproductive Behavior – I

           

September 25 (Ch. 5)

            Male Reproductive Behavior – II

 

September 27 (Ch. 5)

            Male Reproductive Behavior – III

 

October 2 (Ch. 6)

            Female Reproductive Behavior – I

 

October 4 Exam I (Introductory material through male reproductive behavior)

 

October 9 (Ch. 6)                                                                                                        

            Female Reproductive Behavior – II                                                                                                

 

October 11 (Ch. 6)

            Female Reproductive Behavior - III / Lit. review I due (G/UG)

 

Monday, Oct. 15th is the last day to withdraw from classes with a W grade

 

October 16 Ch. 7)

            Parental Behavior - I

 

October 18 (Ch. 7)

            Parental Behavior – II

 

October 23 (Ch. 7)

            Parental Behavior – III

 

October 25 (Ch. 8)

            Social Behavior – I

            Dr. Larry Young, Emory University – How parental behavior became pair bonding

 

October 30  (Ch.8)

            Social Behavior - II

 

November 1 (Ch.8)

            Social Behavior - III

 

November 6 (Ch.11)

            Stress I

 

November 8 Exam II (female reproductive behavior through social behavior)

 

November 13 (Ch. 11)

            Stress – II

 

 

November 15 (Ch. 11)

            Stress – III/ Lit. Review II due (G)

 

November 20-24 NO CLASSES – Thanksgiving Holidays

 

November 27 (Ch. 11)

            Stress – IV

 

November 29 (Ch. 12)

            Learning and memory - I

 

December 4 (Ch. 12)

            Learning and memory - II

 

December 6 (Ch. 12)

            Learning and memory – III

 

December 11: (12:30-2:30) FINAL EXAM (50% on stress/learning and memory; 50% comprehensive)