This course was taught in Spring 2009.
It will be on offer again, but possibly not until Fall 2011 or later.
If you are a student interested in the course, drop me an email, so I can judge how many people would like to take it.


We will discuss current research topics related to the coevolution of pollinators and plants. This will include issues of cognitive ecology, signal detection & evolution, evolution of mutualisms, cheating and cooperation, foraging theory, biological markets, etc. Students will also have the opportunity to suggest topics for discussion.
The goal of this class is to give students a comprehensive background in current issues and research topics related to the evolution and ecology of pollinator-plant interactions. In addition, students will get the opportunity to discuss how theory and conceptual advances in this area relate to their own research topics. We will mostly stick to current literature, but also read a book on cognitive ecology of pollination as an introduction. The format of the class will enable students to get training in giving presentations and chairing discussions, as well as skills in summarizing and evaluating relevant literature.
Students will become familiar with the terminology and methods used in cognitive ecology, foraging theory, and ecology and evolution of mutualisms research. Students will practice reading and discussing current research in fields that are not directly related to their own. They will also be trained in presenting on their own field/interests to a non-specialist audience.

We are very lucky that some of the most prominent scientists in this area have agreed to give guest lectures in the class: Dan Papaj, Nick Waser, James Thomson, Ted Fleming, and Judie Bronstein.

Grading: there is no end-of-term paper or exam. The main assignment is to prepare a presentation and discussion session (including a one-page handout) and to write or revise a "Wikipedia" entry related to the topic of your presentation. Grades are also based on participation in discussions, and reading the readings.

STUDENTS: make sure you give a 'who's who' presentation in every class from now on - you have to do 5 total - one slide only, no more than 5 min - include a picture of the person, their research area and their major contributions made so far, and some personal stuff (where do they work, where did they do their PhD, etc.).
Also, make sure you pick a topic to write your Wikipedia article on, and start thinking about how to do that.

open sections of this course: 467, 567

Please email me if you have questions about the course: dornhausemail.arizona.edu

Instructor: Anna Dornhaus
I'm a biologist with a special interest in collective behavior and cognition (esp. 'collective intelligence'). I work with social insects, particularly bumble bees, honey bees, and ants.
check out my lab webpage, department webpage, or personal webpage
Feel free to contact me with questions about the course or if you are interested in working in my lab:
dornhausemail.arizona.edu