Summer 2024 - BISC 316 D100
Vertebrate Biology (4)
Class Number: 1500
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Erin Barley (Lecture and Lab)
ebarley@sfu.ca
1 778 782-4972
Office: B9234
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Prerequisites:
BISC 101 and 102, both with a minimum grade of C-.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An overview of the evolution and diversity of vertebrates, with an emphasis on the evolutionary innovations and characteristics that led to this diversity. Labs explore comparative anatomy through dissections, bones, and other specimens.
COURSE DETAILS:
Course description
An overview of the evolution and diversity of vertebrates, with an emphasis on the evolutionary innovations and characteristics that led to this diversity. Labs explore comparative anatomy through dissections, skeletons, and other specimens.
Prerequisite: BISC 101 and 102 with a grade of C- or better. Credits: 4 credit hours
Course details:
The lecture portion of the course introduces students to important groups of both living and extinct vertebrates. We’ll focus on their defining characteristics and interesting adaptations. Additionally, we examine the novel features (e.g., jaws) and transitions (e.g., tetrapod transition from ocean to land) that have contributed to the diversification of vertebrates.
In labs, we focus on the comparative anatomy of vertebrate groups. We dissect select groups (e.g., sharks, fish, mudpuppy, turtle, pigeon, rabbit) and examine museum specimens to see how similarities and differences reflect their shared evolutionary history and unique environments.
Grading
- Aquarium Assignment 5%
- Dissection Photo Assignment 10%
- Lab Midterm 15%
- Lecture Midterms 50%
- Lab Final 20%
Materials
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Textbook(recommended): Pough and Janis (2023) Vertebrate Life (11th edition), Pearson Publishing. Notes: You can probably get by with an earlier edition, but the 11th and 10th editions are much better than older editions.
- Dissection Guide(recommended): De Iuliis and Pulera (2019). The Dissection of Vertebrates: A Laboratory Manual (3rd edition), Academic Press. Notes: We’ll use this (especially the very good figures) for lab. The library provides unlimited access to the 1st edition, which is very similar to the 3rd edition and is OK to use. I’ll provide reading lists for the 1st edition to make it easy for students who choose to use the library access instead of buying their own copy.
- Lab coat(recommended). We also have lab coats that you may use.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html