Agricultural Science Curriculum

AGSC 429: DOMESTIC ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

Dr. Glenn R. Wehner
3076 Magruder Hall
 785-4593
gwehner@truman.edu


COURSE OUTLINE

Introduction

Origins of domestic animals
Three perspectives on animal behavior

Aggressive behavior
Animal communication and identification
Types of animal groups and territoriality

Sexual behavior of wild ancestors and relatives of domestic species
General aspects of sexual behavior
Sexual behavior of females
Sexual behavior of males
Display of homotypical and heterotypical sexual behavior
Sexual dysfunction

General characteristics of maternal behavior
Maternal behavior of monotocous species
Maternal behavior of polytocous species

Feeding behavior of herbivores
Food preferences and aversions
Control of food intake
Eliminative behavior

Principles of behavioral genetics
Physiological mechanisms of genetic influences on behavior
Genetic considerations in animal domestication and breeding
Applied and practical considerations

Prenatal and neonatal influences
Maternal and peer influences: Effects of deprivation
Development of attachments and preferences
Applied and practical considerations

Principles of classical conditioning and habituation
Principles of operant learning: Animal training
Comparative aspects of animal learning
Applied and practical considerations

Behavioral influences on hormone secretion
Behavioral effects of testicular hormones
Behavioral effects of ovarian hormones
Applied and practical considerations

Controversies in animal welfare concerns
Comparison of animals with ourselves
Animal health and suffering
Animal behavior and suffering

1. Two exams (1 hour) throughout the semester and one final (2 hour)
2. Short researched paper 3-5 pages with 5-10 references due the second to the last Monday of the semsester. Topics are open but must deal directly with animal behavior.
3. Grades assigned on the standard curve (ie: 90-80-70-60)