Primate Behavior and Ecology Program

College of the Sciences
Ellensburg
Dean Hall, room 357A

509-963-3201
Fax: 509-963-3215
www.cwu.edu/primate
See website for how this program may be used for educational and career purposes.

Program Director
Lori K. Sheeran, PhD, anthropology, Dean Hall, room 335

Professors
John Alsoszatai-Petheo, PhD, biological anthropology
Daniel Beck, PhD, biology, habitat selection, physiological ecology, foraging behavior, rattlesnake ecology, biology of helodermatid lizards
Megan D. Matheson, PhD, psychology, general experimental and comparative psychology, nonhuman primate social behavior, stress and coping, post-conflict behavior
Lori K. Sheeran, PhD, anthropology, primate behavior, primate conservation, gibbon behavior and ecology, biological anthropology
Lixing Sun, PhD, Biology, ecology and evolution of animal behavior (especially communication systems), chemical ecology

Associate Professors
Mary Lee Jensvold, PhD, anthropology, chimpanzee sign language studies, ape behavior, communication and culture, chimpanzee care and enrichment, non-verbal behavior
Steve Wagner, PhD, biology, conservation population genetics, herpetology, molecular evolution

Assistant Professors
Matthew Altman, PhD, early modern philosophy (Kant), 19th century philosophy, ethics and applied ethics, social and political philosophy, philosophy of art
Joseph G. Lorenz, PhD, anthropology, intraspecific genetic variation, molecular phylogenetics, ancient DNA, genotype–phenotype associations, evolutionary anthropology

Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI)
Mary Lee Jensvold, PhD, Director, CHCI Bldg., room 118
Bonnie Hendrickson, MS, Associate Director, CHCI Bldg.

Staff
Penelope Anderson, secretary senior, anthropology
Lynn Whitacre, program coordinator, CHCI

Program Information
This program provides majors with interdisciplinary perspectives on the behavior and ecology of nonhuman primates in both captive and free-living settings. It serves as background for graduate study in the behavior, ecology, or phylogeny of primates, as well as for care-giving careers with primates living in laboratories, zoos, or other captive facilities. Lab fees required for PRIM 220, PRIM 320, and ANTH 416.

A double major is REQUIRED with the PBE degree. Students must complete the requirements for the PBE major as well as the requirements for a 45-plus-credit major in anthropology, biology, or psychology. Students interested in the major should contact the program office as soon as possible for further information, application forms, and assignment of an advisor. PBE majors are expected to meet with their advisor at least once a quarter.

Special Programs
The program sponsors and is affiliated with a wide range of on- and off-campus activities that provide students with opportunities to conduct faculty-mentored scientific projects or internships.

The PBE library in room 204 Dean Hall houses several hundred books, articles, and DVDs/videotapes related to primatology. The room includes a TV, DVD player, and four computer work stations.

The PBE program has available for student use one video camera, two digital cameras, two DVD players, one television, observational software (The Observer), and two PDAs for using this software at remote locations. The Observer software can also be used on two desktop computers.

Students and faculty who have been approved to conduct research at CHCI may have access to resources housed there. These include an extensive library of articles, books, videos, and DVDs, and more than 20 years of archived video footage collected from the chimpanzees living there. CHCI also houses several VCRs, TVs, DVD players, video cameras, and computers that students can use in research projects conducted at CHCI. Access is considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the director and associate director of CHCI.

The Anthropological Genetics Laboratory in room 232A Dean Hall is equipped for performing DNA extractions, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplification, genotyping, and DNA sequencing. Software for analyzing genetic data and performing phylogenetic analysis is also available.

The anthropology department owns casts of fossil and living nonhuman primates. These span a variety of taxa including prosimians, monkeys, and apes. Access is considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the anthropology faculty.

The PBE program is affiliated with the Conservation and Biodiversity Field School in China, which is coordinated through the CWU Office of International Study and Programs.

Students can develop faculty-mentored internship experiences based at CHCI, the Woodland Park Zoo, and other sites.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Primate Behavior and Ecology Major, BS

Courses

Primate Studies