Hormones and Behavior

This class will explore the hormonal basis of animal behavior. We will assess this relationship at the molecular, cellular, physiological, and evolutionary levels, focusing on a wide range of species beyond humans. Our goal is to understand the diverse mechanisms by which hormones act throughout the animal body to mediate what individuals do in their natural environment. We will explore how selective forces shape these mechanisms to not only arrive at common behavior traits, but also unique and unusual traits that allow species to thrive in harsh or extreme environments.