Biology of the Vertebrates
The evolution of form, function, and diversity of the vertebrates
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30-1:45 in BSP130
Textbook: Pough F. H., C. M. Janis, and J. B. Heiser. 2005. Vertebrate Life, 7th Edition. Prentice Hall.
Contents
Instructors
Dr. Kentwood D. Wells
Office: Torrey Life Science Room 380
Phone: (860) 486-4454
Office hours: by appointment
Dr. Margaret Rubega Note: All emails must contain "EEB2214" in the
Office: Biology/Pharmacy 500 subject line to avoid being filtered out & deleted
Phone: 486-4502
Office hours: by appointment
Diego Sustaita (Teaching Assistant)
Office: BioPharm 402
Phone: 486-0309
Office hours: TBA
Lecture Schedule & Links
Date | Topic | Readings | Links | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Part I: Sept 1 - Oct 15, Dr. Kentwood D. Wells | ||||
Sept 1 | Diversity, classification, and origin of vertebrates | Ch. 1, 2 | ---- | |
Sept 3 | Vertebrate body plan and organ systems | Ch. 2 | ---- | |
Sept 8 | Fossil and living jawless vertebrates | Ch. 3 | ---- | |
Sept 10 | Evolution of jaws; biology of Chondrichthyes | Ch. 3,5 | ---- | |
Sept 15 | Evolution of bony fishes; sarcopterygians | Ch. 6 | ---- | |
Sept 17 | Respiration, feeding, schooling of fishes | Ch. 4,6 | ---- | |
Sept 22 | Fish reproduction, mating systems, parental care | Ch. 6 | ---- | |
Sept 24 | Origin of tetrapods | Ch. 7,8,9 | ---- | |
Sept 29 | Diversity, morphology, and feeding of amphibians | Ch. 10 | ---- | |
Sept 30 | Midterm Exam I Review session | ---- | ---- | |
Oct 1 | MIDTERM EXAM I | ---- | ---- | |
Oct 6 | Reproduction and mating systems of amphibians | Ch. 10 | ---- | |
Oct 8 | Amniote evolution, morphology, reproduction | Ch. 11 | ---- | |
Oct 13 | Lepidosaur biology | Ch. 13 | ---- | |
Oct 15 | Physiological adaptations of ectotherms | Ch. 4,13,14 | ---- |
Help Resources
Under construction
FAQ's
Review sessions
Study Materials:
- PHYLOGENY TUTORIAL
- Practice Tree Quiz
- Practice Quiz Answers
- Study guide for Exam 1
- Practice Multiple Choice Questions
(Check regularly for frequent updates)
Grading
Point Distribution & Policy
Midterm Exam I..........100 pts
Midterm Exam II..........100 pts
Final Exam....................100 pts (Midterm Exam III) + 100 pts (cumulative) = 200 pts
Missed exams and Concerns about Finals
Any student who does not attend an exam and fails to receive permission in advance will receive a 0 for the exam. Approval of any request to miss an exam requires, but is not guaranteed by, verifiable written documentation of the reason. A student who receives approval to miss an exam will, at the discretion of the instructor, either take a make-up exam or have his or her course grade prorated based on performance in the remainder of the course.
Academic integrity
Plagiarism and cheating are violations of the student conduct code, and may be punished by failure in the course or, in severe cases, dismissal from the University. For more information, see Section IV of the Student Conduct Code available at the web site of the Dean of Students.
Disabilities
If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, you should contact a course instructor and the Center for Students with Disabilities (Wilbur Cross Building, Room 201) within the first two weeks of the semester:
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Marine Protected Areas Proposed
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