Syllabus for ZOO 4307

Vertebrate Biodiversity

Spring 2014

Lecture Instructor:

Dr. Matthew Smith

316 Bartram Hall

Office hours: Wednesday 2-4 (Bartram 316)

Lecture location:Bartram Hall, Room 211

Tuesday &Thursday: Periods 3-4(9:35 - 11:30 p.m.)

Lab TAs:

MarielaPajuelo () Office hours: T 9-10, Carr 412

Sharon Holte (). Office hours: Th 3:00-3:50, Bartram 310

Lab: Carr 120

Section: 11EB - Tuesday,Period 8-10 (3:00 - 6:00). Mariela

Section: 11E1 - Wednesday,Period 3-5 (9:35 - 12:35). Sharon

Section: 17H8 - Wednesday,Period 7-9 (1:55 - 4:55). Sharon

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES: 6Monday 2014

LAST DAY OF CLASSES: 23 April2014

FINAL EXAM: Monday 28April, 3-5 p.m. in BAR 211

  1. Course Description: Comparative biology of vertebrates, with an emphasis onmorphology, evolution, ecology, and behavior.

Laboratory may include field trips.

Prereq: BSC 2011 and 2011L, or equivalent, with minimum grades of C.

  1. Textbook and other materials:

(1) Pough, Vertebrate Life

(2) Target copy: Lab manual

  1. Credit Hours: 4
  1. Course Objectives:

This course explores the diversity, adaptations, and ecology of vertebrates. The lectures and labs are coordinated as much as possible so that laboratory work expands upon information provided through lecture and reinforces an understanding of diversity and adaptation.

V.Policies and requirements:

Lecture Attendance

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes.

This course covers a great deal of material; absences/excessive tardiness should be avoided as you may find yourself hopelessly behind. If unavoidable circumstances (= a valid excuse) prevent a student from attending a scheduled class, that student MUST notify the instructor in advance or within 24 hours of the missed class so we can arrange for you to make up any work missed (e.g. a test). If a test is missed due to an EXCUSED absence, the student is responsible for scheduling a retest with the instructor. If the retest is not taken before the next scheduled test, a zero for the missed test will be given. Students who, without a valid (e.g. doctor’s) excuse, request to takean exam late, will automatically have 20 pts deducted from their 1st late exam and 30 points from their 2nd late exam, and 40 points from their third (In other words, don’t call in “sick” because you want more time to study). I will take roll and/or give random quizzesduring class. Attendance and preparation will be taken into account when determining your final grade.

Lab Attendance

Expectations for lab attendance follow the above and have the following additional specifications: labs are held on Tuesday and Wednesday, so there is little opportunity to make-up missed lab. Notify your instructor immediately if you will miss a lab and if at all possible attend the lab for one of the other sections. Lab attendance and participation are part of your grade and there will be minimal (=no) opportunity to review the missed material if you do not attend lab. Note that labs meet once a week for three hours – plan accordingly.

Classroom behavior

Behave with courtesy towards your fellow students and the instructor. Avoid talking during lecture as it is highly disruptive to other students. Cell phones should be turned off before coming to class. Any student who persists in interrupting the class or who acts aggressively/disrespectfullywill be asked to leave.

Grammar

Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization and paragraphing should be incorporated in exams as well as any typed reports. Spelling and Grammar will be graded.

Lecture Examinations

Any material covered during the lecture period or assigned in your readingmay be included in the examinations. This can include textbook illustrations, films, .ppt slides AND actual lectures. Take notes! Lecture tests will consist of 50-100 questions including multiple choice, T/F, short answer, and essay. Exams may be in-class, take-home or a combination(if take-home, you will be notified ~1 week ahead of time). Quizzes may be given at any time, without notice. There will be no make-up quizzes. If a student misses one exam due to a preapproved excused absence, s/he must make up the missed test before the next exam or receive a zero for the missed test.

Lab Examinations

Due to the time involved for set-up and breakdown of practical (lab) exams, a missed lab exam should be avoided if at all possible. If unavoidable circumstances result in a missed lab exam or quiz, a make-up will be offered in an alternate format providing the absence was excused. If the absence is unexcused, there will be no make-up available. Lab exams will be held Wednesday evening the week of the exam. You must sign up for a time slot in advance. One time will be 6:00-7:30pm, and the second will be 7:30-9:00.

Lab Quizzes

Quizzes are administered at the beginning of lab (5 minutes after class begins); no make-ups will be given during class or afterwards. You are required to attend your registered lab section for all quizzes unless you have a verifiable excuse or permission of the lab instructors involved. You must arrive within 10 minutes after the start of lab in order to take the quiz. Arriving after 10 minutes or after the quiz has been given will result in a 0 for that quiz.Each scheduled quiz will be administered separately to each lab section. Because these quizzes are unique to each section it is recommended that you take your section’s quiz. If you have an excused absence on a quiz day, you may take the quiz in another section.

Lab Assignments

Graded assignments are due at the beginning of the lab session one week after the actual lab work was done, unless otherwise noted. Assignments turned in after the start of the lab session will be considered late work. If you are unable to turn in your work during your regular lab section and are not able to hand it in directly to your instructor, DO NOT leave an assignment at your instructor's office. Rather (1) make a photocopy of your assignment for safekeeping and (2) hand in the original to the staff of the departmental office (220 Bartram Hall) during regular office hours (8am -4pm). Late work will be penalized 10% of the total points per day.

Field report

Students will complete a formal field report as part of their lab grade. You will complete this assignment by yourself, but for the field observation section you may in groups of 2 or 3. Meet with your lab partner(s) in an area you expect to find several species of vertebrates (e.g. a park or preserve, a veterinary clinic, a 'wild' area on campus, or your favorite fishing spot). Note weather conditions, date, and time. Observe/photograph and identify at least 25 species of vertebrates. Try to get as many vertebrates in one spot as possible. Write the field report to describe your findings. Briefly state your purpose, where you were, what you did, and how you observed your animals in an Introduction. For every taxon that you ID, include the scientific name, who first gave it a scientific name (authority), and the year (e.g. “Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicusvarius (Linnaeus, 1766)”) at least once along with its Class and current Family name. Provide at least one photograph or illustration of the animal in a Figure (with caption and attribution), distributional data, and biogeographical, ecological, and/or conservation information. Try to find out something new and interesting about each animal. Use the report to force yourself to dig for information, the more the better! Use in-text citations. Include Conclusions (What can you say about the area you visited? What did you learn?) and Literature Cited sections; peer reviewed sources only, please use an appropriate citation style.

Incomplete (“I”)

If a student has completed the majority of the course work and particular DOCUMENTED circumstances prevent completion of the course in the time allotted, the student may, with the agreement of the instructor, be assigned an “I” pending resolution of the grade. All incompletes MUST be resolved by the end of the following term or the student will receive a grade of “E” (failing).

VI.Drop/Add/Withdrawal:

A student can drop/add during the drop add period with no penalty. After drop/add, a student who drops will receive a W until the date listed in the academic calendar. After that date, the student may be assigned an “E” (fail). Note: it is the responsibility of the STUDENT to withdraw from a course, not the instructor. Failure to attend class is NOT a drop.

VII. Honesty Policy:

All students registered at the University of Florida have agreed to comply with the following statement: “I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University.”

In addition, on all work submitted for credit the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.”

If you witness any instances of academic dishonesty in this class, please notify the instructor or contact the Student Honor Court (392-1631) or Cheating Hotline (392-6999). For additional information on Academic Honesty, please refer to the University of Florida Academic Honesty Guidelines at:

VIII. Accommodation for Students with Disabilities:

Students who will require a classroom accommodation for a disability must contact the Dean of Students Office of Disability Resources, in Peabody 202 (phone: 352-392-1261). Please see the University of Florida Disability Resources website for more information at:

It is the policy of the University of Florida that the student, not the instructor, is responsible for arranging accommodations when needed. Once notification is complete, the Dean of Students Office of Disability Resources will work with the instructor to accommodate the student.

IX. Software Use:

All faculty, staff and student of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.

X.UF Counseling Services:

Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals. The resources include:

UF Counseling & Wellness Center, 3190 Radio Rd, 392-1575, psychological and psychiatric services.

Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career and job search services.

Many students experience test anxiety and other stress related problems. “A Self Help Guide for Students” is available through the Counseling Center (301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575) and at their web site:

XI. Course assignments and grading policies

Graded Item / Date / Time/Place / Total Points / Percent
Homework
Lecture exam 1
Lecture exam 2
Lecture exam 3
Lecture exam 4
Final exam / -
23 Jan
25 Feb
18 March
8 April
28 April / -
Take-home
In-class
Take-home
In-class
3-5 Bar 211 / 50
125
100
125
100
100 / 5.0
12.5
10.0
12.5
10.0
10.5
------
Lab worksheets /activities (5 pts)
Lab quizzes (15 pts)
Field report
Lab mid-term practical
Lab Final practical / 7 April
17 Feb
21 April / In lab
In lab
Field
In lab
In lab / 65
90
45
100
100 / 6.5
9.0
4.5
10.0
10.0
FINAL GRADE / 1000 / 100

GRADE SCALE:

A100 - 95

A-90 - 94

B+87 - 89

B83 - 86

B-80 - 82

C+77 - 79

C73 - 76

C-70 - 72

D+67 - 69

D63 - 66

D-60 - 62

Final grades will be determined by the instructor after consideration of the class’s overall average. Grade adjustment will ONLY be upwards; an assigned grade will never be lower than your raw point score.

XII. Lecture Schedule for Spring 2014*** SUBJECT TO REVISION****

Week / Lecture / Chapter / Topic
1 / 7January
Tues / 1, 2 / Introduction, What is a vertebrate?
Classification and phylogeny of vertebrates.
9January
Thurs / 1, 2 / Phylogenetic systematics: how to read a tree
2 / 14January
Tues / 3 / Jawless vs. jawed fishes; appearance of the gnathostomes
16January
Thurs / 3 / Jawless vs. jawed fishes; appearance of the gnathostomes
3 / 21January
Tues / No Class
23January
Thurs / 4
Exam ICh 1-4; take-home
Due 30 Jan 11:55 p.m. / Living in water
4 / 28January
Tues / 5 / Chondrichthyes: diversity, reproduction, human impacts and conservation
30January
Thurs / 5 / Chondrichthyes: diversity, reproduction, human impacts and conservation
5 / 4February
Tues / 6 / Osteichthyes: diversity, locomotion, reproduction, human impacts and conservation
6February
Thurs / 6 / Osteichthyes: diversity, locomotion, reproduction, human impacts and conservation
6 / 11February
Tues / 9 / Tetrapoda: living on land
13February
Thurs / 10 / Amphibians: diversity and taxonomy
7 / 18 February
Tues / 10 / Amphibians: Gas exchange, metamorphosis, defense, conservation
20 February
Thurs / 11 / Sauropsids vs. synapsids: key differences in anatomy, reproduction and thermoregulation
8 / 25 February
Tues / Exam II
(chapters 5, 6, 9, 10) / In class
27 February
Thurs / 12 / Turtles are from Mars (evolution, anatomy, reproduction, habitat, adaptations, conservation)
9 / 4-6 March / Spring Break
10 / 11 March
Tues / 13 / Lepidosaurs(tuatara, lizards and snakes)
13 March
Thurs / 13 / Squamates (lizards) diversity, anatomy, feeding, reproduction, social behavior, human impacts
11 / 18 March
Tues / 13
Exam III; take-home
Ch 11, 12, 13
Due 23 October 11:55 p.m. / Squamates (snakes)diversity, anatomy, feeding, reproduction, social behavior, human impacts
20 March
Thurs / 16 / Archosauria: Crocodylians: diversity, anatomy, feeding, reproduction, social behavior, conservation
12 / 25 March
Tues / 16 / Archosauria: saurischians and ornisthischians
27 March
Thurs / 16 / Theropods to Aves: diversity, anatomy, feeding, reproduction, social behavior, conservation
13 / 1 April
Tues / 17 / Aves: Paleognaths and Neognaths: diversity, anatomy, feeding, reproduction, social behavior, conservation
3 April
Thurs / 17 / Aves: Neognaths: diversity, anatomy, feeding, reproduction, social behavior, conservation
14 / 8 April
Tues / Exam IV; Ch 16, 17 / In Class
10 April
Thurs / 20, 21 / Mammals:Prototherians, Metatherians: diversity, anatomy, feeding, reproduction, social behavior, conservation
15 / 15 April
Tues / 21, 24, 25 / Placentals I: diversity, anatomy, feeding, reproduction, social behavior, conservation
17 April
Thurs / 21, 24, 25 / Placentals II diversity, anatomy, feeding, reproduction, social behavior, conservation
16 / 22 April
Tues / 21, 24, 25 / Placentals III diversity, anatomy, feeding, reproduction, social behavior, conservation
28 April
Mon / FINAL EXAM
Ch 20, 21, 24, 25 / 3-5 p.m. in BAR 211

XII. Lab Schedule for Spring 2014 *** SUBJECT TO REVISION****

Chapter / Week of: / Quiz
(15 pts EACH) / Topic / Activities / Worksheets
(5 pts EACH)
6 Jan / NO LABS
Lab 1 / 13Jan / Phylogenetics & Chordate Biology / - Activity 1 (cladistics);
- Activity 2 (evol. thinking)
Lab 2 / 20Jan / Quiz 1 / Gnathostomes / - Activity 4 (perch dissection);
- Worksheet 1
Lab 3 / 27Jan / Quiz 2 / Jawed fish diversity / - Worksheet 2 (matrix in lab)
(TRIP) / 3 Feb / Fish Diversity / Florida Collections Museum
- Worksheet 3
Lab 4 / 10 Feb / Quiz 3 / Amphibian form, function, diversity / - Activity 6 (frog dissection);
- Worksheet 4
(EXAM) / 17 Feb / LAB MID-TERM EXAM - 100 pts
Lab 5 / 24 Feb / Turtle form, function, diversity / - Worksheet 5
3 March / NO LABS
Lab 6 / 10 March / Quiz 4 / Lepidosaur form, function, diversity / - Worksheet 6;
- Snake dissection (optional)
Lab 7 / 17 March / Quiz 5 / Archosaur form and function; bird anatomy / - Worksheet 7
Lab 8 / 24 March / Archosaur diversity
(TRIP) / 31 March / Bird Field Trip / - Activity
Lab 9 / 7 April / Quiz 6 / Mammal form, function, anatomy, diversity / - Worksheet 8
(REPORT) / 7 April / FIELD REPORT DUE - 45 pts
Lab 10 / 14 April / TBA
(EXAM) / 21 April / LAB FINAL EXAM - 100 pts
Total Points / 400pts = / Quizzes
90 pts / Exams / Report
245 pts / Worksheets
65 pts