Courses Commonly Taken in Evolution, Ecology and Behavior
Our courses are open to all interested graduate students.
Skip to courses in: Biological Sciences, Geography, Geology, Psychology
Evolutionary Biology Colloquium (1-3) (APY 550, BIO 553, GLY 555 )
This is the core course for the Graduate Group in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology. It consists of lectures and seminars by the faculty and student paper presentations on current topics in Evolution and Ecology. Typically, 2-3 major topics are covered each semester.
Seminar in Evolution, Ecology and Behavior
A monthly seminar series in which distinguished faculty from other institutions present research talks in the areas of evolutionary biology, ecology and behavior. (The seminar series is not a formal credit bearing course, but participation of students in the Program is required.)
Anthropology
APY 518 Primate Behavior and Social Structure (pdf) (Lec, 3)
This course surveys the literature on primate social behavior and social organization. We emphasize both classic and recent socio-ecological research. Throughout the survey, we examine the ways researchers extract general principles of behavior from the observational data, particularly those that are concerned with evolutionary processes. Methods of research used in the field are emphasized, although laboratory studies are also discussed when they lead to a greater understanding of natural behavior patterns.
APY 544 Animal Communication (pdf) (Lec, 3)
This seminar course provides a survey of communication systems among animals, including humans. We focus on the diversity of complex communicative systems, on the ways in which they are associated with particular social systems and on theoretical explanations of their causes, development, functions and evolution.
APY 546 Physical Anthropology Topics (Lec, 3)
Primate Ecology & Evolution - the evolutionary history of the order Primates, a group of mammals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, and prosimians. Through the study of the fossil record, illuminated by the principles of modern evolutionary and ecological theory, we can reconstruct a broad outline of how primates originated and how they have diversified into more than 200 living species. This course provides students with fundamental tools to understand how paleontologists study primate diversity, ecology, and evolution.
APY 547 Ethology Practicum (pdf)(3)
This is a methods course in ethology for students who would like to learn how to go about observing animals and humans in a scientific manner. In this course, students learn both by doing and by reading and discussing. Students attend lectures on observational methods used by animal behaviorists in the field, in captive groups, and in the laboratory. With guidance, they complete a semester-long research project of their own at the Buffalo Zoo in which they pick an exhibit to observe, generate a research question about the behavior of the animals in the exhibit, design a protocol to answer their question, gather data, analyze them and write up the results in the form of a scientific journal article. In the last class of the semester, students present their projects to the class as they would at a professional meeting.
APY 557 Human Evolution Theories (Lec, 3)
This is a course about the key questions, concepts, and theories of human evolution. What differentiates humans from other primates? Why did bipedalism arise? Why did humans undergo such dramatic encephalization? What are the roots of human culture? What is the role of environmental dynamics in triggering evolutionary change? An understanding of these questions requires a firm grasp of the hominid fossil record and of evolutionary principles. Therefore, the first part of the course is devoted to readings and lectures on the empirical evidence for human evolution. The second part of the course is devoted to readings and discussions of the major questions raised above within an evolutionary and ecological framework.
APY 561 Human Paleontology (pdf) (3)
This class is structured around 3 major problems in human evolution. First, when, where, and how did humans diverge from the apes? We will explore the fossil and molecular evidence of human origins, and the relationship between the earliest hominids and the Miocene apes. Second, when, where, and how did the genus Homo appear? Early Homo diverged from other hominids in Africa, but the timing of this divergence is not well known. Is early Homo alone responsible for the earliest traces of the archeological record? Did early Homo emerge as a consequence of climatic changes in the African Pliocene? Third, when and where did modern Homo sapiens evolve? What is the relationship between Homo sapiens and the Neanderthals? How do we recognize the emergence of the human mind in the paleontological and archeological record? In other words, when did we become the species we are now?
Biological Sciences
BIO 500 Bioinformatics / Genome Analysis (pdf) (LEC/LAB, 4)
Computerized analysis of genetic information from a biological perspective. Lectures focus on assumptions, limitations, and strategies of bioinformatics algorithms and statistics. Labs use computers to address biological questions.
BIO 514 Topics in Advanced Ecology (SEM, 2)
Explores a series of current topics in advanced ecological studies. Lectures and discussion may include such topics as roles of density dependent and independent population regulation; effects on coevolution on community structure, research methods in ecology; sampling methodology and modeling; community stability and succession; and readings in ecology. Topics vary from year to year, and may be taken for credit more than once.
BIO 556 Evolutionary Genetics (LEC, 3)
Genetic and population-level processes that underlie evolutionary change; topics include population genetics, the effects of population size and selection, population structure, molecular evolution, intragenomic conflict, molecular phylogenetics, and evolutionary development.
BIO 558 Molecular Ecology (LEC, 4)
The use of molecular genetic markers is becoming a wide-spread and important approach to studying ecological phenomena, such as population structure, migration, mating systems, and natural selection. Students in this course learn to isolate and use molecular markers for ecological and evolutionary studies.
Geography
GEO 506 Geographical Information Systems (LEC/LAB, 4)
Introduction to the use of high-speed digital computers in geographic research. Topics include advanced programming, introductory machine architecture, large file handling and data base management systems, computer graphics and digitizing. Students are expected to complete a major applications programming project as part of the course requirement.
GEO 515 Conservation Biogeography (SEM/LEC, 3)
The goal of conservation biology is the preservation and management of biodiversity. We examine the components of biodiversity: structural, compositional and functional, all at multiple ecological levels. We consider the major threats to biodiversity: habitat degradation and loss, fragmentation, overexploitation, and species invasions. We explore the solving of conservation problems using species, landscape, and ecosystem approaches; sustainable development; and adaptive management. A fieldtrip visits a local conservation program that protects globally rare species of molluscs and fish.
GEO 545 Restoration Ecology (SEM, 3)
Restoration ecology involves the repairing of lands that have become damaged through natural or human disturbances. We will examine the ecological and social context for restoration. We will focus on the theory and methods of repairing the physical structure, chemical flows and biotic composition of damaged ecosystems.
Geology
GLY 500 Comparative Paleobiology (LEC, 3)
This course is intended for graduate students in paleontology, evolutionary biology, ecology, and anthropology. Its goal is to present the major tools and concepts employed in the collection and analysis of morphological data in studies of the systematics, taxonomy, and evolutionary history of organisms, principally animals. Emphasis will be on practice rather than theory, although the latter will appear as motivation for the work, an exam, and completion of a project employing one or more of the methods discussed.
GLY 509 Advanced Ecology (LEC, 3)
An advanced course in the foundations of ecology emphasizing population and community ecology. Lectures in basic ecological principles are supplemented with discussions of both current and historically important issues, as well as application of ecological principles to environmental problems. (Prerequisite: a basic course in ecology)
GLY 511 Tropical Marine Ecology (LEC, 3)
Surveys marine ecosystems, with an emphasis on tropical reef communities. Examines processes controlling abundance and distribution of marine taxa using primary literature.
GLY 512 Field Course in Tropical Marine Ecology (LEC/LAB, 3)
An intensive two week field course in the Bahamas focusing on coral reef communities. Combining lectures, fieldwork, and laboratory analyses, students conduct in depth studies of Caribbean marine habitats.
GLY 558 Macroevolution (LEC, 2)
Patterns and meaning of genetic variation in natural populations, species properties and boundaries; selection in its multiple guises; speciation and rates of change in ecological and geological time; the role and limitations of adaptation in evolution and the origin of evolutionary novelties; phylogenetic and biogeographic studies and their relationship to understanding macroevolution.
Psychology
PSY 513 Biological Bases of Behavior (LEC, 3)
This is a general survey of the physiological bases of behavior, emphasizing understanding basic brain organization and function.
PSY 634 Animal Behavior (SEM, 3)
In this course, comparative studies of behavior with emphasis on similarities and differences between species. Structural bases for observed similarities and differences are considered.
PSY 715 Behavior Genetics (SEM, 3)
This course covers Mendelian and quantitative genetic analysis in human and animal research, mechanisms of gene action (genomics) on physiology and anatomy, genetic influences on behavior.