CLASS SCHEDULE

Week

Lecture

Topics Covered

Reading Assignment (pages in Linzey, 2001)

1

What is science? Vertebrate & chordate characteristics

 

Chapter 1

 

Systematics & vertebrate evolution

 

Chapter 2

 

Origin of vertebrates, primitive fish

 

74-82, 90-95

2

Origin of amphibians

 

129-136

 

Origin of reptiles

 

169-186

 

Origin of birds

 

186-195

3

Origin of mammals

 

264-271

 

Speciation of vertebrates

 

Journal Article

4

Skeletal system

 

 

83, 97-101,140-144, 201-204, 230-236, 279-288

 

Muscular system

 

 

83-84, 101-104, 145, 204-205, 236-238, 288-292

 

Circulatory system

 

84, 104-106, 145-147, 205-206, 238-239, 292-294

5

Respiratory system I

 

84, 107-108, 147-150

 

Respiratory system II

 

206-207, 239-242, 294-298

 

Exam I

 

 

6

Integument

 

 

82-83, 95-97, 136-140, 198-201, 226-230, 271-279

 

Endocrine system

 

 

116-117, 155-156, 216-217, 250-251, 309-310

 

Reproductive system

 

121-125, 158-161, 218-222, 252-255, 314-317

7

Digestive and Excretory Systems I

structure and function of alimentary systems

84-85, 108-113, 150-151, 207-212,

 

Digestive and Excretory Systems II

feeding mechanisms, nutritional requirement, how much food is needed?

242-244, 298-303, 367

 

 

Water Physiology

 

osmotic balance, water balance

86-87, 117-119, 156-157, 217-218, 251-252, 310-313

8

Nervous System

internal control & cephalization

86, 113-114,151-155, 212-214, 244-245, 302-307

 

Sensing the Environment

sight, smell, hearing

86, 114-117, 151-155, 214-216, 245-250, 305-309, 360-367

 

Sensing the Environment

vision,electromagnetic

 

9

Swimming locomotion

 

 

 

Aerial locomotion

 

195-196, 237

 

Terrestrial locomotion

 

203-204, 286-289

10

Behavior – intraspecific

 

social behavior

Chapter 12

 

Behavior – interspecific

 

competition, predation, symbiosis, human interactions

Chapter 13

 

Exam II

 

 

11

Spatial Patterns

spacing, territoriality, dispersal

337-343

 

Communication

displays, scent

360-366

 

Migration

 

reasons, routes, questions

342-355

12

Coloration

 

96, 138, 140, 200-201, 229, 273

 

Navigation

direction finding methods

Journal Article

 

Metabolic Allometry

 

allometry of respiration, ingestion, energy use

 

13

Sexual Ecology

 

parental care, reproductive strategies

121-125, 158-161, 165-166, 219-222, 252-255, 259, 314-321

 

Thermal Physiology

endothermy, ectothermy, homeostasis

Journal Article

 

Thermal Adaptations

evaporative cooling fur, feathers, antifreeze

37-38, 119, 138, 212-214, 242, 293-294

15

Behavioral Adaptation to Environments

estivation, hibernation, torpor

368-373

 

Foraging Ecology

adaptations to finding and capturing food

367-368

 

Exam III

 

 

16

Population Dynamics

population density, population cycles, species interactions

Chapter 10

 

Extinction and  Conservation

Mass extinctions, endangered species

Chapter 15, 421-427

 

no class - study time!!

 

 

17

Comprehensive Final

 

 

 

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