BIOLOGY 3350 – Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

Spring 2004

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 ¹ Text Book: Kardong, K. V.  2002.  Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution. 3^rd Ed.  McGraw-Hill, Boston, MA.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

BIOL 3350. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy. 3-0-3. Prerequisite: BIOL 2107, 2108. Corequisite: BIOL 3350L. A survey of representative vertebrates and related chordates emphasizing phylogeny and anatomical adaptations. Evolutionary trends are examined in the context of large-scale environmental changes that have occurred over geological time.

OUTCOMES

You will be able to demonstrate via written exams/quizzes, and by using diagrams, an understanding of the structure and function of the main organ systems in the vertebrates. You will be able to "build" a vertebrate from an anatomical, embryological and evolutionary perspective.

COURSE PHILOSOPHY

   Comparative anatomy is an upper level course designed for biology and related majors. Prerequisites for this course are 10 quarter hours or 8 semester hours of majors level introductory biology. If you do not have these prerequisites, drop this course.  The lab is co-requisite for the lecture and the lecture is co-requisite for the lab.  That is, you must be enrolled in both lecture and lab.  Students without these prerequisites, or who are not enrolled in both lecture and lab, will be administratively withdrawn from the class.

     The major emphasis of lectures will be on the evolution of vertebrates (craniates) and the major changes that have taken place in the anatomy of vertebrates.  The focus will on certain key events that occurred in the evolution of vertebrates (e.g., evolution of vertebrates from proto-vertebrate ancestor; evolution of jaws; anatomical changes that occurred at the water to land transition).   Within this evolutionary context, you will learn not only descriptive morphology (i.e., the names of structures)  but some functional anatomy as well (i.e., how the structures work especially in terms of adaptation). 

   Please be aware that this syllabus is tentative.  There is so much to talk about in such a course and not everything can be covered.  If we decided to spend more time on a topic of interest at the expense of another, so be it!  Furthermore, dates and total points are subject to change if there are circumstances, deemed by me, to be extenuating.  You will be given verbal notification of any changes in class and/or it will be posted on the Class information link on the course web site (URL: http://science.kennesaw.edu/~rmatson/biol3350home.html). 

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance:  Class attendance is highly encouraged.  Much of the material for the lecture exams will be taken from the lecture and so it is in your own interest to attend each lecture. Furthermore, you must be in lecture at the beginning of class to take the quizzes. If you miss a lecture, it is your responsibility to obtain lecture notes from a classmate; my notes will not be made available to students.  If, for any reason, you miss more than one week of lecture you should strongly consider withdrawing from the course.  Please arrive before the beginning of lecture so as not to disturb your fellow students.  You are encouraged to ask questions during lecture.  Make certain to obtain any handouts and assignments as well.  I will have extra copies in my office but generally do not bring them to subsequent lectures.

    Please arrive before the beginning of lecture so as not to disturb your fellow students.  DO NOT bring other people (friends, spouses, children etc.) to lectures.  Only people enrolled in the class are allowed in the classroom. Turn off all cell phones, pagers etc.

Examinations and Grades:  There are two examinations scheduled during the semester along with a final exam.  Each exam will cover the material covered in the lectures and  readings since the last exam with emphasis being  placed  on the lectures. Furthermore, there will be three (3) quizzes given during the semester (see schedule) at the beginning of class. You will have 10 minutes to take the exam which will be given at the beginning of lecture. You must be present at the beginning of class to take the quiz. If you are late, you will not be allowed to take the quiz. The final exam will primarily cover material since the last lecture exam but it will also contain material covered since the beginning of the course  (i.e., it  will  be cumulative/comprehensive).   Exams/quizzes may include  matching, short answer  and/or essay questions.  For these  questions, you  are expected  to  answer  each  question clearly, concisely and logically, using correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.  Colored pencils may be helpful (for both the exams and lecture).  You must  take all exams/quizzes on the date offered unless you  provide an excuse deemed by me to be satisfactory (e.g., make  arrangements in advance, provide a note from a physician).  If an acceptable excuse is provided for either midterm exam, then you will receive the appropriate number of points for the missed exam on  a  pro-rated  basis.   The number of pro-rated points received will  be based on the mean percent of the points earned from the remaining midterm and  final.  Pro-rating of exams will  not  be done retroactively (i.e., you cannot substitute a pro-rated score  for an exam  in which you received a lower score).  If you miss an exam/quiz without an acceptable excuse, you will receive the grade  of  0 (zero) for that exam/quiz.  You must take the final exam to receive credit for this course; the final exam grade cannot be pro-rated.  Tentative exam dates are given on the course schedule--  please mark your calendars.  If an exam/quiz has to be canceled  because of inclement weather (i.e., if the entire university is closed) it will be given during the next scheduled class period (check your local TV/Radio stations and/or here to see if the campus is closed).  If there are multiple days of inclement weather, I reserve the right to cancel an exam/quiz and adjust the total points for the course accordingly. If I decide to change the point totals for the course, you will be notified verbally and/or via the course web site.   If you receive 50% or less of the points on the first exam, please talk to me.  Such a score indicates that you are having trouble in this class and you may need to consider withdrawing.

    The grading procedure for this course is as follows:

Your grade for this course will be based on the following point distribution: A = 400-360 points; B = 359-320 points; C = 319-280 points; D = 279-240 points; F = < 239 points.  There is no “extra-credit."  The final grading scale may be adjusted at the discretion of the instructor.  If you have any questions about the grading of an exam, please discuss the situation with me immediately after receiving the graded exam.  If I decide to regrade an exam, the entire exam will be regraded, not just a specific part.  Grades can go up, down or remain the same upon being regraded.  Exams or other assignments will not be regraded at the end of the semester.  Any material  not  picked-up  by  the end  of  the  semester  will be discarded within 60 days of the end of the semester.  You may look at, but not have nor copy, the final exam within these 60 days. I reserve the right to adjust the point totals for this course if the need arises.  You will be notified of such changes in lecture and/or via the Class Information link on the Biology 3350 homepage. You are responsible for any changes posted.

 GRADES WILL NOT BE POSTED at the end of the semester. Please check Owl Registration to view your grades.

Accommodations: Any student with a documented disability or medical condition needing academic accommodations of class-related activities or schedules must contact the instructor immediately. Written verification from the KSU disAbled Student Support Services is required. No requirements exist that accommodations be made prior to completion of this approved University documentation. All discussions will remain confidential.

Academic Honesty: Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.  Section II of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University's policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards.   Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an "informal" resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct's minimum one semester suspension requirement.

You are expected to follow the regulations as stated on pages 233-236 of the 2003-2004 of the Kennesaw State University Undergraduate Catalog.  Plagiarism and cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.  This includes copying papers and not providing proper literature citations.  Any violations of the Student Conduct Regulations will be handled through the University Court.

Withdrawal Policy: The withdrawal policy as stated on page 40 of the 2003-2004 Kennesaw State University Undergraduate Catalog will be followed; see also the current schedule of classes. For this semester, the last day to withdraw without academic penalty is 03 March 2004.  Make certain to follow all procedures if you decide to withdraw; failure to do so will result in your being assigned a grade of  "F" for the course.  If you withdraw from this course, make certain to withdraw from Biology 3350L as well (they are corequisite to each other and you must be enrolled in both).  Please note, that while there is no academic penalty for withdrawing, there can be financial and other types of penalties. For example, a grade of "W" does count against hours attempted for Hope scholarship purposes. A pattern of withdrawing can hurt you in your attempt to get a job or into graduate/professional school. Do not make a habit out of withdrawing.

Recycling Policy: REDUCE WASTE AND RECYCLE.  If possible, please use (purchase) recycled goods.  On campus, paper can be recycled in the bins found in the front of each classroom and aluminum cans can be recycled in theappropriate containers in the hall.   Please do not mix waste with the materials to be recycled.  It's your planet, your campus, your health and well being and your economy -- help them all by recycling.   See page 248 of the current catalog for the KSU Position Statement on Environmental Awareness.

URL: Copies of this syllabus, along with other material relevant to this course, can be found on the course Homepage.  The URL for the course Homepage is:

http://science.kennesaw.edu/~rmatson/biol3350home.html

Click here to find web sites related to this course.  You may be required to utilize this web site to obtain some course materials.  See me if you have any trouble accessing this or any other web site. There are computers available for your use in the atrium of the Science Building, and in computer labs in the Science Building, Burruss Building, and the Student Center as well as at other locations on campus.  I will post messages relating to any changes to this syllabus on this website. Check the "Class Information" page for other information that is relevant to this course. You are responsible for any changes posted.

Office Hours: My office hours are listed on the first page of this syllabus.  I encourage you to avail yourself of them.   If you cannot make it to any of these scheduled hours, please make an appointment.  I'm certain that we can find a mutually acceptable time to meet.  Furthermore, note that my e-mail address is on the top of the first page.  Feel free to e-mail me. I will respond as soon as possible.

Your continued presence in this course signifies your acceptance of the policies and procedures outlined above.