Objective 4 - Synthesize: To integrate book-learning and practical experience, we encourage students to dialogue about the "big picture" ideas in each module, and how these relate (or do not) to their chosen career paths. Part of this involves standing back and "looking at the forest for the trees". There is alot of information in each chapter and it is easy to miss the big picture. By applying skills of synthetic thinking, students sort through what is useful to keep in long-term memory.

• Participate in the threaded discussion for each module using the discussion tool on elearning
• Practice critical thinking about the practical utility of the conceptual approaches in behavioral ecology
• Integrate what you learned from the readings, webinars and supplements you chose for your essays
• Debate the take-home messages that will stay with you beyond this course and this semester