Biology of the Vertebrates

From EEBedia

EEB 2214 (Biology of the Vertebrates) is being offered in the Summer Session I 2008 (June 2 through July 11). The class meets 5:30-8:45 Tuesdays and Thursdays in BSP 130. The course covers the evolution, biology, natural history, behavior and diversity of the vertebrates. I've set up a course HuskyCT website, please refer to the HuskyCT site for more course information.

For more information, you can also contact the instructor Dr. Chuck Smith at:

Chuck Smith (smithcf@hotmail.com)
Assistant Professor-In-Residence
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
U-3043, Torrey Life Science Building
The University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06268
486-4158

Here's a tentative lecture schedule. We'll be meeting for three hours Tuesdays and Thursdays, so each meeting will be divided into 60-75 minute lectures with a break in between. We'll also occasionally be venturing out on field trips to observe vertebrates in their natural habitat. I'll post a list of items you'll need to bring well in advance of a field trip (rain coat, boots, etc.).

Class Schedule:

Grading: Exam 1 50% (100 points) Exam 2 50% (100 points) Disabilities If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, you should contact a course instructor and one of the following offices within the first two weeks of the semester: Center for Students with Disabilities, Wilbur Cross Building, Room 201 University Program for College Students with Learning Disabilities, Gentry Building, Room 003 How to do well in this course I’ll be using an abundance of multi-media to support the lectures. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you do not miss class and that you do not try to write down everything that I say during class, but rather attempt to capture the key points and concepts of the lectures. Don’t get lost in the details! Lectures are open for discussion, so if you have a question or don’t understand something, ask!

lecture	topic
1	Diversity, classification, and origin of vertebrates
1	Vertebrate body plans and organ systems I
2	Vertebrate organ systems II
2	Evolution of early vertebrates
3	Evolution of jaws and Chondrichthyes
3	Evolution of primitive bony fishes
4	Respiration, locomotion and schooling in fish
4	Feeding adaptations of fishes
5	Reproductive behavior of fishes
5	Origin of tetrapods
6	Diversity, morphology and feeding of living amphibians
6	Amphibian reproductive behavior
7	EXAM 1
7	Tuataras, lizards and snakes
8	Reptile reproductive behavior
8	Physiological adaptations of ectotherms
9	Dinosaurs and other Mesozoic diapsids
9	Evolution and structure of birds
10	Bird mating systems
10	Evolution of mammals
11	Mammalian feeding adaptations
11	Physiological adaptations of endothermic vertebrates
12	Mammalian mating systems
12	EXAM 2