Course Essentials
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Course Description
This course will cover comparative anatomy and physiology of vertebrates. You will learn the similarities and differences between both the structure and function in a variety of organisms. You will gain an appreciation for why certain structures and/or organs evolved as they are. This course is challenging, but a lot of fun!!
Learning Objectives:
This class should allow you to understand and discuss the following:
The connection between structure and function in vertebrate organisms.
The evolutionary constraints organisms have.
The structural adaptations that organisms have to fit their environments.
Anatomical terms.
Basic anatomy of vertebrate organisms.
Dissection skills!
Text Book
Text Book:
Pough, F.H., W.E. Bemis, B. McGuire, and C.M. Janis. 2022. Vertebrate Life, Eleventh Edition. Pearson, San Francisco, CA
This text will serve as your primary reference for this course, along with lecture notes. The text will be helpful to verify and improve your understanding of lecture information. You may use different versions of this book, but chapter numbers may be different from what is on the syllabus.
Exam questions will be taken from oral class discussions, lecture notes, this textbook, the lab manual (see below) and Slack discussions.
Lab Manual:
Fishbeck, D.W., and A. Sebastiani. 2015. Comparative Anatomy, Manual of Vertebrate Dissection, Third Edition. Morton Publishing, Englewood, CO.
This Dissection Manual will be critical to your performance in lab. You may share with group members if you choose to do so. However, keep in mind that if your or your group member gets sick, you may no longer have access.
Other Required Materials:
You will need a dissection kit. Again, these can be shared, but you'll want at least two per group. We have space for you to keep these in the lab so that you don't have to carry it around. You should write your name on it in some way so that you know which one is yours.
The links below (underlined) have some suggestions for you. The big thing is that you want a scalpel (with blades), scissors, forceps, and a blunt probe (more than one if you can find a kit with extras!!). So, if you already have one, or find a different one, that's totally fine!
Recommended Materials:
I recommend something to wear over your clothes in lab. I wear hospital scrub shirts over my work clothes in lab. You could opt for a lab coat, an apron, or just an old t-shirt. It just protects your clothes from getting anything gross on them. Also, sharks are smelly, so it might keep some of the stench off of your clothes. It's not required, but I recommend this!
Canvas
All course materials, quizzes, exams, and assignments will be posted on Canvas. You will need to have consistent access to that page throughout the course. You will find all lecture readings, Powerpoint presentations, lab materials, and Zoom links on Canvas. I will also have due dates for exams and other assignments posted on the Canvas calendar.
Slack
Slack will be used to enhance communication between you, your classmates, and myself. I will use it to communicate with you, but it will also be a way for you to contact me, share cool things related to the course, and ask questions. Please see the Course Communication Plan page for more information.