Field Studies in Science: Evolution and Animal Behavior

The primary focus of this course will be the study of animal behavior in a scientific and, more precisely, evolutionary context. We will approach this subject through both the academic study of evolutionary biology, animal behavior, outdoor experiential learning and through scientific field-based studies of animals. The class will be primarily devoted to the behavior of wild, non-domesticated animals, but there will also be some time devoted to domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, and horses. Field research will be in small groups and will involve developing research methods, conducting field research, analyzing data, and writing up field study results.