Comparative Anatomy - BIOL 332
Catalog Description
A comparative study of organs and systems of representative forms of chordates keeping in mind the evolutionary development and relationships of these forms. Concepts of embryology are applied to an understanding of the adult organism. Laboratory work is concerned with a detailed dissection and comparative study of the amphioxus, necturus, dogfish, and cat. Prerequisites: BIOL 209 or equivalent.
Current Syllabus
Comparative Anatomy – BIOL 332
Syllabus and Schedule
Lecture MWF 12:10-1:00PM – BY 202
Lab Thursday 1:50-4:30PM – BY 202
Instructor Dr. Carol Z. Plautz
Email cplautz@shepherd.edu
Office Byrd Science Center 112
Laboratory Byrd Science Center 200/202
Phone (304) 876-5773
Office Hours M, T, and W 2:00-4:00PM and by appointment
Catalog Description:
A comparative study of organs and systems of representative forms of chordates keeping in mind the evolutionary development and relationships of these forms. Concepts of embryology are applied to an understanding of the adult organism. Laboratory work is concerned with a detailed dissection and comparative study of the amphioxus, necturus, dogfish, and cat. Prerequisites: BIOL 209 or equivalent.
Overall Course Goal:
To introduce students to the diverse evolutionary relationships, structures (anatomy), and functions (physiology) among the vertebrates.
Required books:
- Pough, Janis, and Heiser, Vertebrate Life, 8th Edition, Pearson. ISBN 9780321545763
- Homberger and Walker, Vertebrate Dissection, 9th Edition, Thomson. ISBN 9780030225222
Other required materials:
- Dissecting Kit ($10 in Shepherd Bookstore)
- Lab coat (cheap kind available for ~$5 in Shepherd Bookstore)
Attendance: Regular, on-time attendance in lecture and lab is required for success in this course. Absences will result in missed information, missed activities, and missed quizzes, none of which can be made up.
Academic Integrity: Cheating of any sort (including plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration) will NOT be tolerated (refer to the section entitled “Academic Dishonesty” under “Academic Information” in the Shepherd University Catalog for a full description of Academic Dishonesty). All parties participating in such activity will receive a grade of “zero” for their “work”. For second offense, student will receive a final course grade of “F”.
The last day to withdraw from this course is November 5, 2010.
Grading:
- Exam #1 100
- Exam #2 100
- Exam #3 100
- Average of 5 quizzes/activities (drop lowest 2 of 7) 100
- Final Exam 100
- Lab Practical #1 100
- Lab Practical #2 100
- Total Points: 700
Final Grades:
- A 630-700 (90-100%)
- B 560-629 (80-89%)
- C 490-559 (70-79%)
- D 420-489 (60-69%)
- F 419 or lower (0-59%)
Make-Up Policy:
Exams: Make-up exams will be given if: 1) the student has obtained permission from Dr. Plautz prior to the exam, or 2) there is a documented medical/family emergency, brought to the attention of Dr. Plautz (in person, by telephone, or email) prior to or within 2 business days after the exam. Otherwise, exams must be taken at the scheduled time or a “zero” will be given. Quizzes: There will be no make-ups for quizzes or activities. To allow for unexpected emergencies, students will drop two quizzes as noted in “Grading” above. Lab Practicals: There will be no make-ups for lab practicals due to the huge amount of setup and breakdown time involved. Exceptions will be made under extreme circumstances IF it is within a very short time interval from the scheduled practical.
Other Policies:
* I expect you to read the assigned material prior to the corresponding lecture.
* Inclement weather: if the university is open, class will be held. Shepherd University communicates closures due to weather through several means including NBC-25 TV, several local radio stations, announcement on the website (www.shepherd.edu), and announcement on the main phone number (304) 876-5000. Commuters should observe common sense with regard to road safety. See “Snow Policy” in the Shepherd University Student Handbook.
* No food or drinks in the classroom/lab at any time.
* Other laboratory safety & cleanliness rules will be discussed in lab – students must abide by these.
* Your phone is not to be seen, heard, or used during class or lab (exception: if you need it for emergency contact, put it in your pocket on “vibrate”).
* Failure to abide by these policies may result in a final course grade of “F”.
To account for unforeseen circumstances, this syllabus & schedule may be altered at the discretion of the instructor.
APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE – BIOL 332 – Fall 2010
|
Week of |
Lecture Topic |
Assigned Reading |
Laboratory Activity |
|
Aug 16 |
Diversity & Classification of the Vertebrates |
Chapter 1 and 2 |
Safety; Movie |
|
Aug 23 |
Vertebrate Structure |
Chapter 2 and 3 |
Axes of symmetry, Intro to the Chordates |
|
Aug 30 |
Primitive Vertebrates; Aquatic Vertebrates |
Chapter 3 and 4 |
Integumentary System |
|
Sep 6 |
M: No Classes (Labor Day) Aquatic Vertebrates |
Chapter 4 |
Skeleton 1 |
|
Sep 13 |
Monday 9/13: EXAM 1 Chondrichthyes |
Chapter 5 |
Skeleton 2 |
|
Sep 20 |
Modern Bony Fishes |
Chapter 6 |
Skeleton 3; Review |
|
Sep 27 |
Terrestrial Vertebrates; Tetrapods |
Chapter 8 and 9 |
Lab Practical #1 |
|
Oct 4 |
Amphibians |
Chapter 10 |
Muscular System 1 |
|
Oct 11 |
M: No Classes (Fall Break) W: Amphibians Friday 10/15: EXAM 2 |
Chapter 10 |
Muscular System 2 |
|
Oct 18 |
Synapsids vs. Sauropsids; Turtles |
Chapter 11 and 12 |
Sense Organs |
|
Oct 25 |
Lepidosaurs |
Chapter 13 |
Nervous System |
|
Nov 1 |
Other Diapsids; Birds |
Chapter 16 and 17 |
Digestive & Respiratory Systems |
|
Nov 8 |
Synapsids |
Chapter 18 and 20 |
Cardiovascular System |
|
Nov 15 |
Monday 11/15: EXAM 3 Mammals |
Chapter 20 and 21 |
Reproductive & Excretory Systems |
|
Nov 22 |
No Classes (Thanksgiving Week) |
-- |
-- |
|
Nov 29 |
Primate Evolution |
Chapter 24 |
Review |
|
Dec 6 |
M: Last Class F: Final Lecture Exam, 3:00-5:00PM |
-- |
Laboratory Practical #2, 3:00-5:00PM |