BIOLOGY 337 - COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY

An anatomical survey of the major vertebrate groups with laboratory emphasis on amphioxus, lamprey, shark, mudpuppy and cat. Comparisons will be made in both lecture and laboratory among these forms and others from the standpoint of their organ morphology to include integumentary, muscular, skeletal, circulatory, digestive, urogenital and nervous systems. Discussion of ontogenetic and evolutionary changes throughout will be developed within the framework of functional morphology and adaptation.

Lecture: VERTEBRATES: COMPARATIVE ANATOMY, FUNCTION, EVOLUTION, 3rd Ed.

              by Kenneth V. Kardong, McGraw-Hill 2002

Laboratory: ATLAS AND DISSECTION GUIDE FOR COMPARATIVE ANATOMY, 5^th Ed.

by Saul Wischnitzer, W.H. Freeman and Co., 1993

The two 75 minute lectures given weekly, on Tuesday and Thursday, will follow the topical outline attached. The course will be divided into four parts with an exam to follow the completion of each. Laboratory work (schedule will be provided in lab) will consist of a morphological survey of the major vertebrates and protochordates: Urochordata, Hemichordata, Cephalochordata, Cephalaspidomorpha, Chondrichthyes, Amphibia and Mammalia.

               Requirements:            Textbook and Laboratory Manual (above)

                                                High quality dissecting kit (UC Bookstore)

              Recommendations:     Colored pencils or pens

                                                Huber or Bartlett probe (if not in your kit)

                                                Rubber gloves

                                               Smock or other protective garb

                                               Hand lotion

GRADING:

                 1.    Lecture Exams (3)                      100 pts. ea.          300

                        Laboratory Practicals (4)           100 pts. ea.           400

                        Laboratory quizzes (?)                100 pts. total        100

                        Final Exam (comprehensive)       200 pts                200

                                                                         Total pts.             1000

                2. Certain laboratory assignments will allow the student to achieve additional (bonus) points. Unannounced ("pop") quizzes will be given during lecture and will count as additional (bonus) points.

                3. The final exam will not be given at any other than the scheduled time. Make-up exams will be given only under extreme circumstances (illness, death in family etc.), may be essay in nature and will be administered only during finals week. A grade of incomplete will be given only to students who are passing the course and for some reason of emergency fail to complete its requirements.

                4. Final grades will be based on the percentages of the total points achieved and will be scaled as follows: A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%,D=60-69%, below 60% is failing. NO extra credit work is applicable.

CMU provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities and services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should contact me as early as possible.

LECTURE SCHEDULE

FINAL EXAM Thursday, May 1 , 2003, 12:00noon-1:50 p.m.

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