My courses are geared towards ‘doing biology’ — I facilitate learning through discovery-based curricula. We collaborate on novel class-wide and small group experiments that get students into the field and wet lab and have an emphasis on quantitative modeling. For course offerings by semester see the Biology Department course listings.
Alex Baugh
Associate Professor Swarthmore College
Teaching
My Courses
(1) BIO 002: organismal and population biology, an introductory-level course;
(2) BIO 002-SP: scholars program attachment to BIO 002
(3) BIO 030: animal behavior, an intermediate-level course;
(4) BIO 131: animal communication, an advanced seminar course;
(5) BIO 127: behavioral neuroendocrinology, an advanced seminar course;
(6) BIO 093: directed reading in animal behavior, a literature research credit;
(7) BIO 094: independent research, an empirical research credit for course majors; and
(8) BIO 180: honors research (biology or neuroscience), an empirical research credit for honors biology or neuroscience majors.
BIOL 002. Introduction to Organismal and Population Biology
Introduction to the study of organisms integrating morphology, physiology, behavior, ecology, and evolution of whole organisms and populations. Lab and field components (including field trips) introduce hypothesis testing, experimental design, statistical analysis and scientific writing. The laboratory component culminates in small group projects during the final month of the semester.
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.
BIOL 030. Animal Behavior
This course provides an integrative and inquiry-based approach to understanding how and why animals behave the way they do. We build from the foundation of ethology (the study of natural behavior) and explore the current state of the art in this field. During the first half of the semester students are introduced to the major mechanisms (e.g., nervous systems, hormone systems and genetics) that underlie important behaviors (e.g., learning and memory, communication, sexual behavior, offspring care). During the second half of the semester, we shift to understanding how these mechanisms and behaviors evolve under natural and sexual selection. Major principles of evolution are covered, including phylogenetics and speciation. Textbook material is supplemented by primary research articles. The lab component tracks the lecture organization with a focus on practical laboratory, behavioral testing and quantitative skill development. Field trips are typically offered to provide an opportunity for data collection and group projects. This course serves as a Group A Neuroscience elective.
Prerequisites
BIOL 001 and 002, or their equivalents.
BIOL 131. Animal Communication
This seminar examines animal communication from a cross-disciplinary perspective, with a focus on the mechanistic basis and evolution of communication systems. Weekly readings and student-led discussion of the primary literature are modeled after a seminar-style course in graduate school and allow students to develop an in-depth understanding of scientific critique. Engaged participation in these “crit sessions” provides students with the skills and confidence to decompose complex scientific studies, extract the relevant results, and evaluate the rigor of experimental design. By coupling these discussions with semester-long group projects in the lab, students combine theory and practice in a way that translates into a more complete and mature understanding of the scientific process. This class takes an explicitly quantitative approach to understanding animal communication.
Prerequisites
BIOL 001 and 002, or their equivalents.
Completion of BIOL 030 (Animal Behavior) or permission of the instructor.
Recommended: a course in statistics (e.g. STAT 011 or higher).
BIOL 127. Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
This seminar examines major themes in how hormone systems in the brain influence animal behavior. A weekly journal club format allows us to understand and critique the primary literature in this field, and will include topics such as how sex steroids organize the development of behavioral differences, the hormonal basis of animal personality, how stress hormones impact decision making, the role of peptide hormones in feeding and fasting, and other topical areas in the field. Students work in small groups to present primary articles each week and lead discussions. Occasional field trips and guest researchers enrich the instructional experience. This course serves as a Group A Neuroscience elective.
Prerequisites
BIOL 001 and 002, or their equivalents.
and
Completion of one of the following intermediate courses: (a) Animal Behavior; (b) Animal Physiology; or (c) Neurobiology.
BIOL 132. Evolution of Brain and Behavior
This seminar examines major themes in how nervous systems and behavior evolve. A weekly journal club format allows us to understand and critique the primary literature in this field, and will include topics such as the evolution of brain structure and size, cognitive ability, the extended phenotype, creative expression and play, and other topical areas in the field. Students work in small groups to present primary articles each week and lead discussions. Occasional field trips and guest researchers enrich the instructional experience. This course serves as a Group A Neuroscience elective.
Prerequisites
BIOL 001 and 002, or their equivalents.
and
Completion of one of the following intermediate courses: (a) Animal Behavior; (b) Animal Physiology; (c) Neurobiology; or (d) Evolution.