BIOL 4230 - Biodiversity in Mate Selection

(3) Credit Hours

Have you ever wondered how animals select their mates? Is it based on appearance? Or the resources that individuals have? Or perhaps mates are chosen based on smell? Or is it something else? This course will provide a look into the amazing diversity of mate choice in animals (including humans!). We will address the following central questions: 1) how variable is mate choice in animals? 2) why do females tend to be the choosier sex in many animals? 3) what traits are preferred in mate choice across non-human animals? 4) how do humans select mates? 5) what are the evolutionary consequences of mate choice? Spring semesters, as needed.Prerequisites: BIOL 3060 and BIOL 3350 with minimum grades of C or Department Head approval.

Effective Spring 2026.