Would you like to be a zoologist out in the field studying animal behavior? Does Bigfoot really exist? Should we bring back the Woolly Mammoth? Are birds really dinosaurs? How do Monarch Butterflies know where to migrate each year? What do whales talk about? Why are dogs “man’s best friend”? What careers can I work in if I love animals? Explore the answers to these questions and much more in this fascinating course that delves into the world of zoology and the science of animal behavior. Discover the relationships animals have with other animals, their environment, and humans. Learn about the diversity of animal life and how it has flourished. Explore why animals behave the way they do (even humans). Investigate innate (genetic) behaviors and learned behaviors, including how animals learn and communicate, find food, avoid predators, choose mates, and raise their offspring. This course incorporates a variety of multimedia learning tools which include virtual field trips, podcasts, discussion blogs, current events, and many more activities that keep students engaged. A thorough understanding of zoology and animal behavior is achieved using varied assignments and assessments, designed to ensure student success.
Course Essential Questions:
- How does the process of natural selection explain the vast diversity of animal life on our planet?
- What are the complex factors that drive an animal's behavior, and how do those behaviors ensure its survival and reproductive success?
- How do the interactions between different species—from predator and prey to cooperation—shape the balance and health of an ecosystem?
- What can the study of animal behavior teach us about human society and our role in the natural world?
Course Learning Objectives:
- Explain how the process of natural selection leads to new adaptations and the diversity of animal species.
- Analyze the principles of animal classification and taxonomy to explain the evolutionary relationships and vast diversity of animal life.
- Evaluate how a range of animal behaviors—including innate responses, learned actions, feeding strategies, and social structures—contribute to an individual's survival and reproductive success.
- Analyze the roles animals play within their ecosystems by examining key interspecific interactions and their impact on ecological stability.
- Synthesize information from modern zoological research to evaluate current issues in animal science and explore potential career paths in the field.