COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY SYLLABUS
SPRING 2017

DEPARTMENT : Biological Sciences
COURSE PREFIX:   BIO                 COURSE NUMBER: 320                            CREDIT HOURS: 5

Professor: Dr. Terry L. Derting,
                  Office:  BG 0102;  Phone: 809-6327

Teaching Assistants: Mr. Philip Day
                  Office:  BG 0102;  Phone: 809-6363

Class Meetings:  TTh 8:00-9:15 and TTh 1:30-4:20 BG 1104

I.  TITLE:  Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITE(S):   Dissection and study of representative chordate systems with emphasis on the anatomy and evolution of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Two four-hour class sessions per week.
Prerequisites: BIO 115, 216, and 221 or permission of instructor.

III.  COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The student will be able to:

• learn the basic morphological features of representative chordate systems,
• learn the relationships between morphological features and their functions within representative chordates,
• explain the evolutionary basis of morphological differences and similarities among vertebrate taxa,
• critically analyze, synthesize, and evaluate diverse sets of information concerning vertebrate anatomy,
• be familiar with new developments in the field of comparative vertebrate anatomy,
• understand ways in which the study of comparative vertebrate anatomy impacts directly and indirectly on human society,
  
• develop your ability to work  collaboratively, and
  
• use higher level cognitive skills (i.e., analysis, synthesis, and evaluation).
  

V.  INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
             Lecture and laboratory activities are integrated.  For each topic studied, background information will be presented and discussed, along with hands-on laboratory work related to that topic.  You will be given written and/or oral instructions for each exercise.  A majority of the laboratory work will involve dissection of preserved specimens and comparative reviews of anatomical similarities and differences among these specimens. You are responsible for reading all assigned readings.   You are also responsible for learning the assigned laboratory information and techniques.  

NOTE: Cell phones must be kept in your backpack, purse, or otherwise put away when formal instruction is occurring. You will be asked to leave a class session if you violate this policy.           

VI.  FIELD, CLINICAL, AND/OR LABORATORY EXERCISES:
             The topic for each laboratory is given in the attached schedule.

VII.  TEXT(S) AND RESOURCES:
Required:

• Kardong, K. V.  2015.  Vertebrates: Comparative anatomy, function, and evolution. 7th edition. McGraw Hill Publ., Boston, MA. 
• Fishbeck, D.W. and A. Sebastiani. 2008. Comparative anatomy: Manual of Vertebrate Dissection. 2nd edition. Morton Publishing Co., CO.

Recommended:

• Adam, B.J.. and J. L. Crawley.  2005.  Van De Graaff's photographic atlas for the zoology laboratory.  7th. ed.  Morton Publishing Co.
• Other texts and laboratory manuals are available in my office.

On-Line Comparative Anatomy Atlas  - an atlas of specimen systems and assessments to test your knowledge

             Several resources are available to you for this course.  The textbook provides an excellent overview of comparative anatomy of chordates.  Rather than simply stating and describing numerous anatomical parts, the author integrates discussion of anatomy with evolution and function.  Reading the text will improve your understanding of how the many individual parts of organisms function within the larger context of an organism and its environment, and evolutionary relationships among taxa.  The text also contains numerous illustrations and descriptions of anatomical structures for use during dissections. The dissection manual provides descriptions of structures and dissection instructions for most the specimens that you will study during the course.  The recommended photographic atlas provides photographs of some specimens that you will dissect, but that are not illustrated in your dissection manual.  It is essential that you integrate learning of structures during dissections with understanding of their evolution and function, as described in your main text.
             One of the most important resources available to you is the preserved specimens.  Detailed study of each specimen will provide you with a far better understanding of comparative anatomy than will simply reading the text.  You will be provided with all specimens except the cat.  You and your partner are responsible for purchasing a cat from the MSU Wildlife Society.  You will also need to purchase gloves and to purchase or rent a dissecting kit.  In addition to your specimens, a photographic atlas with accompanying text is available through the course web site and on Blackboard (see link above).  You will find this web based atlas a valuable resource when doing dissections and when studying for quizzes and exams.
             Discussions with your classmates while conducting laboratory activities and studying for exams and quizzes are strongly encouraged.  Discussion of concepts and questions is an excellent way of learning and checking your knowledge. The Teaching Assistants and/or I are available to help you during scheduled class periods.  You may also schedule other meeting times with a TA or me as needed.  

VII.  EVALUATION AND GRADING PROCEDURES:

 Grades for all components of the course are assigned as follows:

             Exams                            60% (30% lecture, 30% lab)
             Comprehensive Final      15%
             Quizzes                          15%
            Class Activities               10%
                                                     ___
                                                  100%

 

           Written exams will be short answer and essay in format. Exams will cover theoretical and objective information, including an emphasis on practical questions on specimens studied in class.  Questions on specimens and anatomical parts that you have not seen before will also be used on exams to evaluate your ability to use the information you have learned. The final exam will cover key concepts and general information that you are expected to have learned during the semester.  To assist you with your studying, the goals and objectives of each week of class, including study questions, is posted on Blackboard each week.  The study questions are not questions you are likely to see on an exam.  The questions are designed to help guide your studying and help you determine what you do and do not understand. A list of the anatomical parts that you are responsible for learning will also be posted each week.  All assignments are due on the assigned due date.  The only exception to this policy is in the event of a medical or other emergency or an approved university event (e.g., Senior Breakfast).  Written documentation must be provided in evidence of such an emergency.  Practical exams can only be taken at their scheduled time.

X.  ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:           
Murray State University takes seriously its moral and educational obligation to maintain high standards of academic honesty and ethical behavior. Instructors are expected to evaluate students’ academic achievements accurately, as well as ascertain that work submitted by students is authentic and the result of their own efforts, and consistent with established academic standards. Students are obligated to respect and abide by the basic standards of personal and professional integrity.

Violations of Academic Honesty include:
Cheating - Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized information such as books, notes, study aids, or other electronic, online, or digital devices in any academic exercise; as well as unauthorized com­munication of information by any means to or from others during any academic exercise.
Fabrication and Falsification - Intentional alteration or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Falsification involves changing information whereas fabrication involves inventing or counterfeiting information.
Multiple Submission - The submission of substantial portions of the same academic work, including oral reports, for credit more than once without authorization from the instructor.
Plagiarism - Intentionally or knowingly representing the words, ideas, creative work, or data of someone else as one’s own in any academic exercise, without due and proper acknowledgement.
Instructors should outline their expectations that may go beyond the scope of this policy at the beginning of each course and identify such expectations and restrictions in the course syllabus. When an instructor receives evidence, either directly or indirectly, of academic dishonesty, he or she should investigate the instance. The faculty member should then take appropriate disciplinary action.

Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to the following:
1) Requiring the student(s) to repeat the exercise or do additional related exercise(s).
2) Lowering the grade or failing the student(s) on the particular exercise(s) involved.
3) Lowering the grade or failing the student(s) in the course.
If the disciplinary action results in the awarding of a grade of E in the course, the student(s) may not drop the course.

Faculty reserve the right to invalidate any exercise or other evaluative measures if substantial evidence exists that the integ­rity of the exercise has been compromised. Faculty also reserve the right to document in the course syllabi further academic honesty policy elements related to the individual disciplines.

A student may appeal the decision of the faculty member with the department chair in writing within five working days. Note: If, at any point in this process, the student alleges that actions have taken place that may be in violation of the Murray State University Non-Discrimination Statement, this process must be suspended and the matter be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity. Any appeal will be forwarded to the appropriate university committee as determined by the Provost.

XI.  NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Murray State University endorses the intent of all federal and state laws created to prohibit discrimination. Murray State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability in employment, admissions, or the provision of services and provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal access to participate in all programs and activities. In particular and without limiting the preceding and pursuant to and consistent with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its regulations 34 CFR 100 et seq.; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its regulations 34 CFR 104; Title IX of the Education Amendments  of 1972, 20 USC 1681 et seq., and its regulations 34 CFR 106 et seq; and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and its regulations 34 CFR 110, Murray State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its educational programs and activities.  This non-discrimination in education programs and activities extends to employment and admissions and to recruitment, financial aid, academic programs, student services, athletics, and housing. Murray State is required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex and the prohibition against sex discrimination specifically includes a prohibition of sexual harassment and sexual violence.  For more information contact the Executive Director of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Access/ Murray State University Title IX Coordinator, Murray State University, 103 Wells Hall, Murray, KY 42071 Telephone: (270) 809-3155 Fax: (270) 809-6887; TDD: (270) 809-3361; Email: msu.titleix@murraystate.edu

XII. OTHER REQUIRED DEPARTMENTAL OR COLLEGIATE COMMITTEE INFORMATION

None