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 are focused on sensory biology (olfaction, vision, audition/seismic and electroreception) and compelling and provocative studies in the field of animal signaling systems. Small group student-led discussions of the primary literature are modeled after a seminar-style course in graduate school and allow students to develop an in-depth understanding of this field and the process 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. Discussions are supplemented with a combination of field excursions and/or lab experiences.

Group A Neuroscience Elective.
Prerequisite: Spring 2026: Prerequisite include any Group II or Group III Biology course (BIOL 020-039) completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better, or with permission of the instructor.
Recommended: A course in statistics (e.g. STAT 011).
Natural sciences and engineering.
1 credit.
Eligible for COGS
Spring 2026. Baugh.
Catalog chapter: Biology
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/biology

Access the class schedule to search for sections.