Vertebrate Zoology (BSCI 4/5/70556)

Spring 2000

Instructor:Dr. Mark W. Kershner

Room: 251 Cunningham Hall; Phone: 672-2738

Office hours:Tuesday 2:00-3:30pm; Wednesday 11:00am – 12:30pm; 

or by appointment.

Required Text:Vertebrate Life (5th Edition) by Pough, Janis, and Heiser 

Click here for lab syllabus


 

Dates

Class Type

Material Covered
Jan 19 – Feb 7
Lecture
Text, Part 1 – Vertebrate Diversity, Function, and Evolution; pp. 2-153
Feb 9
Discussion
To be announced…
Feb 11
EXAM 1
Part 1
Feb 14 – Mar 3
Lecture
Text, Part 2 – Aquatic Vertebrates: Fishes; pp. 154-261
Mar 6
Discussion
To be announced…
Mar 8
EXAM 2
Part 2
Mar 10 – Apr 5
Lecture
Text, Part 3 – Terrestrial Ectotherms: Amphibians and Reptiles; pp. 262-485
Apr 7
Discussion
To be announced…
Apr 10
EXAM 3
Part 3
Apr 12 – May 1
Lecture
Text, Part 4 – Terrestrial Endotherms: Birds and Mammals; pp. 486-733
May 3
Discussion
To be announced…
May 5
EXAM 4
Part 4

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will introduce you to the evolution, systematics, physiology, anatomy, ecology, and behavior of vertebrate organisms, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds. (Note:our coverage of birds will be limited given that Ornithology is taught each Spring at Kent State.)This course will also expose you to important ideas/concepts in the fields of evolution, ecology, systematics, and morphology, as they relate to vertebrate organisms.

GRADING

Your grade in this course will be based upon your performance on four lecture examinations, participation in class discussion periods, and your laboratory grade.

Your grade will be determined as follows:

Four lecture examinations @ 100 points each400

Four discussion periods @ 25 points each100

Laboratory Grade (2 lab practicals, project report)300

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TOTAL POINTS800

Lecture examinations will be a combination of fill-in-the-blank, matching, short answer and essay questions.Points for the discussion periods will be awarded on the basis of attendance and participation.Discussions will center on current issues in vertebrate zoology, chosen by either the instructor or the students.

Letter grades will likely be assigned as follows:

A100-90%800-720 points

B89-80%719-640 points

C79-65%639-520 points

D64-57%519-456 points

F< 57%< 456 points

GENERAL RULES

ØAttendance is required for discussion periods and all laboratory periods.Attendance during lecture periods is not required, but highly recommended.

ØThere will be no extra credit opportunities.

ØWritten excuses are required for missed examinations, discussion periods.

ØMissed examinations must be taken within one week of the scheduled exam date and may be given in any format.Missed discussion periods will be made up by writing a brief report.Only excused absences can be made up.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Students with Disabilities:In accordance with University policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which accommodation is required. Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) in the Michael Schwartz Student Services Center (672-3391). If you have any special needs, particularly with respect to testing, please let me know as soon as possible.
 

Click here for lab syllabus