Vertebrate Biology BIO366, 3 cr.

Fall 2011 Tentative Schedule

 

Lecture:  MW 2–2:50, CBLS 10

Professor: Dr. Cheryl Wilga, cwilga@uri.edu, CBLS 183, x9020

Office Hours:  Mon & Tues 4:30-5:30, Wed 3-5, or by appointment

Laboratory:  Thursday 9:30–12:15 and 12:30–3:15, CBLS 235

Teaching Assistant: Jordan Balaban, jbalaban@my.uri.edu, CBLS 190

Required Texts: 1) Pough, H.F., C.M. Janis, and J.B. Heiser. 2004. Vertebrate Life. 8^th ed. ISBN-13:9780321545763. 2) National Audubon Society Regional Guide to New England. 1998. ISBN-13: 978-0679446767

 

Date MW	Text Chapter + Lecture Topic	Th	Laboratory Exercise
Sept 7 W	1 Vertebrate Diversity +  Evolution	8	1 - Phylogenetics
Sept 12 M	2 Vertebrate Relationships
Sept 14 W	3 Early Vertebrates	15	2 -Marine Fishes + Quiz 1
Sept 19 M	5  Chondrichthyan Diversity
Sept 21 W	5  Chondrichthyan Behavior	22	3 - Freshwater Fishes + Quiz 2
Sept 26 M	6 Teleostome Diversity
Sept 28 W	6 Teleostome Behavior	29	Field Ex 1 – Marine Fishes
Oct 3 M	9 Origin of Tetrapods
Oct 5 W	10 Amphibians	6	4 - Amphibians + Quiz 3
Oct 10 M	Columbus Day, No class Mon. 10th, Monday classes meet on Wed. 12th.
Oct 12W	Exam 1 Fish and Amphibians	13	Field Ex 2 – FW Fish +Amphibians
Oct 17 M	12 Turtles
Oct 19 W	13 Lepidosaur Diversity	20	Lab Symposium
Oct 24 M	13 Lepidosaur Behavior
Oct 25 W	16 Archosaur Diversity	27	5 - Lepidosaurs + Quiz 4
Oct 31 M	16 Evolution of Birds and Flight
Nov 2 W	17 Ecology and Behavior of Birds	3	6 - Archosaurs + Quiz 5
Nov 7 M	17 Ecology and Behavior of Birds
Nov 9 W	16 Dinosaurs	10	Field Ex 3 – Bird Study
Nov 14 M	18 Mammalian Evolution
Nov 16 W	Exam 2 Sauropsida	17	7 - Mammals + Quiz 6
Nov 21 M	20 Mammalian Biogeography
Nov 23 W	20 Mammalian Diversity	24	Thanksgiving Holiday, No Lab
Nov 28 M	20 Mammalian Diversity
Nov 30 W	21 Mammalian Specializations	1	Field Ex 4 – Mystic Aquarium
Dec 5 M	21 Marine Mammals
Dec 7 W	23 Echolocation	8	Field Ex 5 – RW Zoo
Dec 19 M 12:30  Exam 3  Synapsida

 

Lecture: This course is designed to explore the biology of vertebrate animals:  we will survey the diversity of vertebrate animals and their characteristics, and in the process introduce you to the classification, evolution, and ecology of the major vertebrate taxa.  We will make a brief comparative survey of the major vertebrate groups.  This survey will take place within an evolutionary framework, and we will examine hypotheses to explain patterns in their morphological, ecological, physiological, and behavioral diversity.  We will use the principles of systematic phylogeny throughout the course as a conceptual and interpretive tool to define the relationships between the many species of vertebrates.  Using the phylogenetic approach, we will trace each group of vertebrates from its origins, outlining the major changes associated with its evolution, and reviewing selected elements of its current diversity.  You will be introduced to important ideas about the biology of vertebrates, and we will critically examine how these hypotheses were conceived, tested, and modified. Slides of lecture and laboratory materials, study guide, journal paper presentation guidelines and grades are on Sakai.

 

Study Tips: Most students find vertebrate biology to be a very challenging subject. In order to do well in this course, you must make a serious commitment to practice good study techniques. Here are some study suggestions that will help you to do well in this course.

1 – Read the chapter before class. This way you are familiar with the material and hearing the main points presented in lecture reinforces your understanding and facilitates note taking.

2 – Take notes during class and lab. Students that do well find that rewriting their lecture notes after each class is not only a good review but increases their understanding of the material.

3 - After each chapter, write a paragraph explaining the function, ecology, behavior and or evolution of the vertebrates discussed for practice essay questions.

4 – If you learn the Latin and Greek word roots, then you will be able deduce the meaning of most terminology as we encounter them repeatedly (i.e. suaria means lizard).

5 – On average, you should devote 2-3 hours of study time per 1 hour of lecture.

 

Laboratory: The lab will complement the material covered in lecture. The labs are designed to study the shared and unique characters of the vertebrate groups, examining the form and function of general and specialized structures, and learning about major taxonomic groups.  Field exercises will focus on the ecology and behavior of vertebrates. 

1. Be prepared for lab by reading the material covered in lecture. The lecture text is also your lab text so bring it to class as well as lab.

2. Some labs will involve studying preserved specimens. You must wear gloves when handling these specimens. Typically, you will be expected to learn no more than 20 species and their taxonomic grouping per major vertebrate group studied in each lab period (20 each for FW fishes, SW fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals).

3. Dress appropriately for the field exercises; those in flip flops will not be allowed to participate in the field trip and will get a zero for that lab and exercise. We will go out regardless of the weather conditions.

4. Non-field labs will begin with a Quiz (including specimen ID) on the TA lecture and material covered in the previous laboratory exercise. After the quiz, your TA will present a short lecture on the material to be studied for that session.

5. Make sure that your table is clean at the end of the lab session. Field gear must be cleaned and put back in their appropriate place.

 

Journal Paper Presentation: In lab and working in pairs, you will select a topic in vertebrate biology and give an oral presentation together of a journal paper related to that topic to the class during the laboratory period on October 20^th. You will have 10 minutes for your presentation followed by 2 minutes for questions. The paper must be selected from recent issues (2000 to current) of a peer-reviewed journal and must be on vertebrate biology (non-human). I must approve the paper and you must provide me with a copy by September 21^st. You will be graded on your oral presentation and a single spaced, typed critique (2 page limit, one paper per group) of the paper to be turned in at the time of the oral presentation, both of which should address the goals of the research, the methods employed to carry out those goals, what was learned from the study and how might the study be improved or expanded in the future.  Oral presentations must be in powerpoint. I will grade your critique and myself, the TA and classmates will grade your presentation according to scientific standards. The presentation evaluations will be averaged and a summary sheet given to the presenters. Extra credit points will be given for those in the audience who ask a question of the presenter.

 

Grades: The standard grading system will be used, unless I see fit to scale, 360 points possible:

            Lecture Exams @ 50 points each                         150 points

            6 Laboratory Quizzes                                               60 points

            5 Field Exercises and participation                                  100 points

            Journal article and presentation                           50 points

           

Make-up Policy: Please give us advanced notice if you expect to miss a lecture or laboratory session, or inform us as soon as possible after if advanced notice is impossible. Slides are on Sakai and make sure to get notes from a class or lab mate.  Make-up lecture exams are all essay and make-up quizzes are oral.

 

Cheating: Have respect for yourself and your fellow students and do not cheat. Cheating will not be tolerated and will be dealt with according to university regulations. The university has a formal policy against cheating and plagiarism and it is part of our job to enforce this policy.  See the relevant parts of the university manual (www.uri.edu/facsen/8.20-8.27).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Academic Enhancement Center. Success in this course requires that you keep up with the class work and study the course materials effectively. The Academic Enhancement Center (www.uri.edu/aec) can help.  Their friendly staff of learning specialists and student tutors can help you find an approach to studying that suits your needs and schedule, develop effective study strategies, understand course concepts and practice productively.   

 

Disability Services. Any student with a documented disability is welcome to contact me early in the semester so that we may work out reasonable accommodations to support your success in this course.  Students should also contact Disability Services for Students, 330 Memorial Union.