Vertebrate Biology BIO366, 3 cr.

Fall 2007 Tentative Schedule

Lecture:  MW 2–2:50, Gilbreath Hall 118

Professor: Dr. Cheryl Wilga, cwilga@uri.edu, BISC B115, x9020

Office Hours:  Monday 4-5, Wednesday 3-5 or by appointment

Laboratory:  Thursday 9:30 – 12:15 and 2 – 4:45, BISC B111

Teaching Assistant: Jason Ramsay, jasonramsay@mail.uri.edu, BISC B114, x7442,

Required Texts:  Lecture: 1) Pough, H.F., C.M. Janis, and J.B. Heiser. 1998. Vertebrate Life, 6^th Ed., Lab: 2) Gergus E.W. and G.W. Schuett. 2000. Labs for Vertebrate Zoology: An Evolutionary Approach, 2nd Edition, 3) National Audubon Society Regional Guide to New England. 1998.

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.

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(s) 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 anatomical 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. Do NOT fall behind, there is a lot of material to cover and if you fall behind you will have a hard time trying to catch up.

2. Some labs will involve studying preserved specimens. You must wear gloves when handling these specimens. Dress appropriately for the field exercises; we will go out regardless of the weather.

3. Non-field labs will begin with a Quiz (5 pts each, 10 questions) 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. Field exercises 1-4 are due by then next field trip day, exercise 5 is due by the practical day.

4. 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. Students in the last lab of the day must put their chairs on top of the table at the end of lab for the cleaning crew.

Practical (50 pts) will consist of stations containing questions about the lab or field exercises. Thoroughly studying the material in your lab session is an excellent way to learn the material and results in better retention and less non-productive “cramming” prior to the practical. Use the figures of the models and specimens in your lab and web manuals when not in the lab to study for the practical. This is very important if you want to do well in the lab. A review session will be held prior to the practical.

Journal Paper Presentation: In lab and working in pairs, you will select a topic from those listed in the syllabus and give an oral presentation of a journal paper related to that topic to the class during the last laboratory period in the lab symposium. The time limit of your presentation will be determined by November 14^th (~ 5-8 minutes with 1-2 minutes for questions). The paper must be selected from recent issues (1980 to 2005) of a peer-reviewed journal and must be on vertebrate biology. I must approve the paper and you should provide me with a copy by October 1^st (day of exam 1). You will be graded on your oral presentation and a single spaced, typed critique (2 page limit) 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. 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, 300 points possible:

            Lecture Exams @ 50 points each                           150 points

            Laboratory Practical                                                  50 points

            Laboratory Quizzes                                                   50 points

            Field Exercises                                                           50 points

Make-up Policy: Please give us advanced notice if you expect to miss a lecture exam or laboratory session, or inform us as soon as possible after if advanced notice is impossible. You must have an approved university excuse to make up an exam.  Make-up lecture exams are all essay and make-up practicals 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 formally policy against cheating and plagiarism that is defined in the university manual, and it is part of our job to enforce this policy.  Please read the relevant parts of the university manual (http://www.uri.edu/facsen/8.20-8.27.html).

General course information for BIO 366 can be found at www.uri.edu/cels/bio/wilga

 Slides of lecture and laboratory materials, study guide, and grades are on WebCT

Instructions for logging onto WebCT:

In your web browser enter   http://webct.uri.edu or www.uri.edu/webct (also on the students URI webpage). Your

YY e-Campus ID in lowercase is your WebCT login. 

Click on the course BIO 366 to get the course materials.

Close your web browser to close WebCT.

The Academic Enhancement Center. The work in this course is complex and intensive. To do the best you can, it’s a good idea to visit at the Academic Enhancement Center (AEC) in Roosevelt Hall. The AEC offers a comfortable environment in which to study alone or together, with or without a tutor. AEC tutors are your peers – they’ve taken your courses, and can answer questions, clarify concepts, check your understanding, and help you to study.  You can make an appointment or walk in anytime during office hours.  For a complete schedule -- including when tutors are available -- go to www.uri.edu/aec, call (401) 874-2367, or stop by the fourth floor in Roosevelt Hall.