Behavior and Disease

Catalog description

Course covers the ways in which animals’ behavior reflects selection to avoid contacting or transmitting disease-causing organisms (micro and macro), to recover from disease, or to make sure one’s offspring have the best chance against disease. It also covers the problem of disease organisms’ manipulating the behavior of their hosts. Topics include evolution of virulence, processes of immunity that are tied in with the behavioral adaptations of avoidance and recovery, and parasites as ecological factors and conservation issues. Mixed lecture-discussion, emphasis on primary literature and student-chosen topics. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Biology or permission of instructor. Offered in Spring. Fixed