Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - BISC 316 D100

Vertebrate Biology (4)

Class Number: 2699

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 6, 2025
    Sat, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • 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
A review of the evolution and the taxonomy of the vertebrate classes. A comparative study of their organ systems and functions with particular reference to reproduction. A comparison of the functional morphology of some species by laboratory dissections.

Prerequisite: BISC 101 and 102 with a grade of C- or better

Lectures begin September 3, 2025.
Laboratory sessions begin in week of September 8, 2025.

Grading

  • Lectures - Midterm Exam 20%
  • Lectures - Final Exam 30%
  • Laboratory - Midterm 15%
  • Laboratory - Final 25%
  • Written Assignment 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

LECTURE TEXTBOOK:
Pough, Bemis, McGuire and Janis (2023) Vertebrate Life 11th edition.  Published by Sinauer Associates, Oxford University Press.

LABORATORY TEXTBOOK:
De Iuliis, G. and D. Pulerà. (2019). The Dissection of Vertebrates. 3rd Edition
ISBN: 978-0-12-410460-0 
The 1st Edition (2007) of this lab manual is available for free at the SFU Library website. Students have to sign into the Library's homepage to access the 1st edition of the lab manual for free. You can download the lab manual or print the pages. There are minor changes to the lab manual between the 1st and 3rd edition. Students can use the 1st edition with the updates given to them on Canvas.
The following is the website online for the newest edition of the lab manual: https://shop.elsevier.com/books/the-dissection-of-vertebrates/de-iuliis/978-0-12-410460-0


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.