Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2022 - BISC 306 D100

Invertebrate Biology (4)

Class Number: 1780

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 101, 102 and 204 with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to selected invertebrate phyla with an emphasis on functional morphology, diversity and ecology.

COURSE DETAILS:

Animals are extraordinarily diverse in their form and function. Most of them are not vertebrates (like humans), and most of the interesting variety is not found among insects. This is a course about everything else: the evolution of animal diversity from sponges to sea squirts, corals to clams, and a lot of worms.

Lectures emphasize anatomy, functional morphology, and natural history of free-living marine phyla and classes. Labs emphasize overall form and function of living animals from major taxonomic groups: observations of behaviour and other features, some dissection, and some functional (not artistic) drawing of animals and parts.

Canvas will be used for this class: https://canvas.sfu.ca

Grading scheme is provisional and may change before start of classes.

Grading

  • • In-class Quizzes 50%
  • • Field Trip Participation 5%
  • • Laboratory Notebook 20%
  • • Laboratory Practical Exam 15%
  • • Final Exam 10%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

The course grade and the lab fees include a fabulous three-day field trip to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on Vancouver Island.

Field trip is provisionally planned for early March but depends on pandemic conditions.

Field trip scheduling information will be distributed as early as possible, no later than in lab sections during the week of Jan. 10th.

All field trip participants (students and faculty members) staying overnight in BMSC housing must show proof of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. This is the same as the proof of vaccination required for use of on-campus dormitories by SFU Residence and Housing.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Pechenik, Biology of the Invertebrates, 7th edition, 2015. The 6th edition is ok also. Either hard copy  or e-book can be purchased. International editions (soft cover) are less expensive. 

 


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site 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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.