Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

This course has been changed from the previous catalog, the changed field(s) are highlighted in red:

 Course Title:   Behavioral Ecology

 Title Abbreviation:   BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY

 Department:    ENVC

 Course #:    405

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.5

 CIP:    030101

 EPC:    16B

 REV:    2019


 Course Description  

Investigates the evolutionary and ecological behavioral adaptations of animals. Various taxonomic groups will be examined with an emphasis on vertebrate species as well as species of ecological and economic importance. Ecological behavior will be viewed in light of ecosystem management activities.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Admission to BASEC or Department Chair permission.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory N/A  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Investigate causes and consequences of variation.
  2. Understand comparative analysis of natural selection and adaptation.
  3. Analyze development of behavior.
  4. Investigate adaptations of feeding behavior and survival.
  5. Compare behavioral strategies in habitat selection.
  6. Analyze behavioral strategies in reproductive behavior and the development of mating systems.
  7. Investigate the development of social behavior and the consequences for conservation and management.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. Consequences of animal variation.
  2. Natural selection and adaptation.
  3. Development of animal behavior
  4. Feeding behavior and survival.
  5. Behavioral strategies in habitat selection.
  6. Behavioral strategies in reproductive behavior and development of mating systems.
  7. Development of social behavior and management challenges.