Learning Goals for Psychology 406: Insect Behavior
Sean O’Donnell
Course Learning Goals:To develop a working knowledge base of invertebrate, especially insect, biodiversity and the relevance of that diversity to our modern understanding of animal behavior. To appreciate the how insects have contributed to our understanding of causes and evolutionary consequences of behavioral variation (assessed by midterm and final exams).
To develop scientific writing skills (assessed by cooperatively produced review paper of approximately 10 pages in length).
To learn to read and summarize the primary scientific literature by writing a review paper on a topic of personal interest to you. You will become familiar with writing in scientific journal formatting and style by modeling after the important review journal series Annual Reviews (assessed by cooperatively produced review paper of approximately 10 pages in length. This is the same review paper mentioned above with scientific writing skills).
To question, discuss and analyze complex scientific concepts and findings (assessed by in-class participation).
To effectively collaborate with classmates in completing a graded group project, including a formal in-class presentation (assessed by cooperatively produced in-class presentation approximately 25 min long).