University of Guam
Course Outline
Course Number: BI 333 & BI 333L College (or Sponsoring Unit): CAS/NATURAL SCIENCES
Course Title:
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Credit Hours: 3/1 .
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Lab
Date of Final
Approval: Semester Offered: Spring/even
years .
Course counts as: __________General Education Requirement
__________Part of
___________________________Major Program
__________Elective
1. Catalog
Description
A study of the basic
morphology of vertebrates, with lecture emphasis on the evolution of vertebrate
systems and laboratory emphasis on dissection of these systems in selected
vertebrates. Six hours of lecture and lab weekly.
2. Course Content
Taxonomy, phylogeny,
morphology and physiology of the animal vertebrates with lecture emphasis on
the evolutionary patterns of vertebrate history and lab emphasis on the
taxonomy and morphology of selected species.
3. Rationale for the
Course
Biology majors can
utilize information about vertebrate animals especially within a framework of
evolutionary history and the relations of structure and function.
Pre-medical,
pre-veterinary medicine, and zoology students can also get practice in
lab/clinical techniques, particularly dissection and microscope work.
4. Skills and
Background Required or Expected
Students are required
to have taken BI-101a & BI101b or their equivalent. In addition, previous experience to
laboratory dissection techniques is highly recommended. Basic study and language skills are assumed
and will be relied on to successfully complete this course.
5. Teaching
Methodologies and Anticipated Class Size
Lecture sessions are
taught by lecturing; student recall and review are encouraged by
c1uestioning. lab sessions involve
examination of representative vertebrates using microscopes and dissecting
techniques. Course is taught every other year, so about 15 to 20 students are typical.
6. Additional Course
Descriptions
None
7. Learning
objectives for Students
1. Students gain practice with concepts of
evolution using vertebrates as models.
2. Students gain facility with techniques
of dissection and microscopy.
3. Students continue studying the topic of
phylogeny, using vertebrates of the animal kingdom.
4 Students continue studying organism
morphology, animal physiology, and animal behavior.
5 Students
continue to increase their base of scientific information, which is the
foundation for later understanding of relationships and processes
8. Methods of
Evaluation
The primary basis of
evaluation will be written exams in both lecture and lab. Overall understanding
and retention of both lecture material is measured by a midterms, and a final
exam. Procedures and analyses performed in lab will be the sole basis of
material covered in lab practical exams.
9. Required and
Recommended Texts and/or Study Guides
Hildebrand, M., 1995. Analysis of Vertebrate Structure, Fourth Edition, John
Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York.
10. Subsequent
courses
Knowledge gained in a
science course makes any subsequent science course easier. This is a course
appropriate for further work in Animal Behavior, Animal Physiology, Evolution,
Embryology or Animal Diversity.
The Calendar of
assignments, attendance and grading policies are to be included in the course
syllabus