Thomas Root
Professor Emeritus of Biology
- troot@middlebury.edu
- Additional Programs
- Biology Neuroscience
My teaching and research interests are broad, but are primarily in zoology, physiology and neurobiology and specifically on the neural control of behavior.
Since 1979, our lab has worked on varied questions with many different animals, but primarily involving the neural control of behavior and invertebrates as subjects. Our approach is the progressive study of an animal’s sensory abilities and movements, and how those permit an animal to locomote, feed, escape or behave in other effective ways. While I have published in the past almost exclusively on arachnids, and my students have published studies ranging from clams and turtles to humans, our lab has explored new directions over the past two decades including studies of bird song, animal senses and currently, discrimination and learning in octopuses. In the octopus studies we are examining the visual, chemical and tactile abilities of these amazing animals, how they move, how use those senses to direct exquisite and precise movements, and how they learn to make a choice and adapt their learning for effective behavior. Therefore, as with all animals we study, we examine an animal’s behavioral abilities from several different perspectives to appreciate both its complexity and its beauty.
Courses Taught
BIOL 0216
Animal Behavior
Course Description
Animal Behavior
The behavior of animals primarily from an ethological perspective, with respect to genetics, physiology, evolution, and other biological factors. The course follows the history and methods of studying individual and social behaviors like feeding, courtship, mating, parental care, defense, predation, and migration. We examine live animals in the field and lab to illustrate such processes as instinct, learning, and communication. Discussion topics address recent research, and students design their own research projects. Oral, and written reports are required. (BIOL 0140 or BIOL 0145) 2.5 hrs. lect./1 hr. video screen./3 hrs. lab
Terms Taught
Requirements
BIOL 0500
Independent Study
Course Description
Independent Study
In this course students complete individual projects involving laboratory and/or field research or extensive library study on a topic chosen by the student and a faculty advisor. Prior to registering for BIOL 0500, a student must have discussed and agreed upon a project topic with a member of the Biology Department faculty. Additional requirements include attendance at all Biology Department seminars and participation in any scheduled meetings with disciplinary sub-groups and lab groups. This course is not open to seniors; seniors should enroll in BIOL 0700, Senior Independent Study. (BIOL 0211. Approval required) 3 hrs. disc.
Terms Taught
BIOL 0700
Senior Independent Study
Course Description
Senior Independent Study
In this course students complete individual projects involving laboratory and/or field research or extensive library study on a topic chosen by the student and a faculty advisor. Prior to registering for BIOL 0700, a student must have discussed and agreed upon a project topic with a member of the Biology Department faculty. Additional requirements include attendance at all Biology Department seminars and participation in any scheduled meetings with disciplinary sub-groups and lab groups. (BIOL 0211. Approval required; open only to seniors) 3 hrs. disc.
Terms Taught
BIOL 0701
Senior Thesis
Course Description
Senior Thesis
Seniors majoring in Biology who have completed one or more semesters of BIOL 0500 or BIOL 0700 and who plan to complete a thesis should register for BIOL 0701. In this course students will produce a written thesis, deliver a public presentation of the research on which it is based, and present an oral defense of the thesis before a committee of at least three faculty members. Additional requirements include attendance at all Biology Department seminars and participation in any scheduled meetings with disciplinary sub-groups and lab groups. Open to Biology and joint Biology/Environmental Studies majors. (BIOL 0211 and BIOL 0500 or BIOL 0700 or waiver; instructor approval required for all students) 3 hrs. disc
Terms Taught
NSCI 0500
Independent Research
Course Description
Independent Research
Students enrolled in NSCI 0500 complete individual research projects involving laboratory or extensive library study on a topic chosen by the student and approved in advance by a NSCI faculty advisor. This course is not open to seniors; seniors should enroll in NSCI 0700. (Approval required)
Terms Taught
NSCI 0700
Senior Research
Course Description
Senior Research
This course is for senior NSCI majors who plan to conduct one or more semesters of independent research, or who plan to complete preparatory work toward a senior thesis, such as researching and writing a thesis proposal as well as, if appropriate, collecting data that will form the basis for a senior thesis. Senior NSCI majors who plan to complete a senior thesis should register initially for NSCI 0700. Additional requirements may include participation in weekly meetings with advisors and/or lab groups and attending neuroscience seminars. (Approval required, open to seniors only)
Terms Taught
NSCI 0701
Senior Thesis
Course Description
Senior Thesis
Senior NSCI majors who have completed one or more terms of NSCI 0700, who have a GPA of 3.3 in their major courses, and who plan to complete a senior thesis should register for NSCI 0701 for the final semester of the senior thesis process. Students enrolled in NSCI 0701 write a thesis, give a public presentation of their research, and present an oral defense of the thesis before a committee of at least two Neuroscience faculty members. Faculty may recommend High honors in Neuroscience after considering the quality of these components of a student’s thesis and the student’s GPA in major courses. Additional requirements may include participation in weekly meetings with advisors and/or lab groups and attending neuroscience seminars. (NSCI 0700, Approval required)
Terms Taught
Publications
Sample Publications
Root, T.M. 1990. Scorpion Neurobiology. In: Biology of the Scorpionida, Gary Polis
(Editor). Princeton University Press. pp. 341-413, 4 plates, 27 Figures
Root, T.M. 1985. The central and peripheral control of scorpion locomotion. In: Neurobiology of Arachnids. Springer-Verlag. CH. XVII.