Text only

I. TITLE: Zoology: Animal Form and Function

II. CATALOG DESCIPTION: A study of the animal kingdom with emphasis evolutionary and ecological relationships of animal groups, invertebrate and vertebrate anatomy and physiology and evolutionary concepts. This course is intended for students with a strong high school biology background or a 100-level college biology course. Three hours of lecture and three hours laboratory per week.  (Each semester).

III. PURPOSE: This course is designed to promote learning about the science of zoology through an active learning process. Zoology encompasses the principles of biology related to animals. Principles are those facts and concepts that are common to the understanding of animals. Students will understand the scientific method used to discover knowledge. Lectures and laboratory will emphasize University Studies Criteria 1 and 3 – students will design, collect data for, analyze and present the results of their own experiments. Criterion 4 will also be met as students will use computers to explore the web, and analyze and present experimental data. Zoology is taught in an interdisciplinary way to emphasize all the international environmental effects on animals and the equally important aspect of society on the animals and their effects on society. Therefore, Criterion 5 will be met. Student projects, such as dissections, integrate learning of content and acquiring skills (Criterion 9).

IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students will become aware of the world of animals and their interrelationships based on the processes of evolution, develop an understanding of the significance of the diversity of life and the balance of nature, examine the physiological, morphological and ecological characteristics of animals that allow them to survive in their environment, and learn how to access scientific information through library research and the World Wide Web. (Criterion 4)

V. CONTENT OUTLINE:
Phylogeny of Animals
Diversity of the Animal Kingdom
Evolution of animals
Animal anatomy
Animal Physiology
Physiological ecology
Environmental issues

VI. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITES: Lecture and discussion supplemented with videos, slides, overheads, and computer accessed images, video clips and animations. A literature research paper may be required that teaches students how to access the scientific literature through the library and World Wide Web. Criterion 6 is fulfilled as students have significant amounts of reading to prepare for the research paper as well as for lecture and lab assignments. Writing and critical thinking is required for exams, quizzes, and lab reports. Laboratory periods involve active learning with examination of live and preserved animals, team dissections of preserved specimens and active experimentation. Together, these activities will allow students to understand the evolutionary, ecological and physiological relationships among animals as well as gain an understanding of the process of science.

VII. FIELD AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES: Laboratory exercises provide hands-on experience which aids learning of animal structure and function. Working in pairs on dissections provides a cooperative learning experience.

VIII. RESOURCES:
a. printed material
b. teaching assistants
c. videotapes
d. microscopes
e. projectors
f. VCRs
g. computer programs
h. computers
i. videodisks
j. live and preserved animal specimens
k. reference materials and scientific journals
1. Internet access

IX. GRADING PROCEDURES:
Formal tests will be administered in both lecture and lab.
Grades are determined from lecture test – 30-40%; lab tests – 30-40%; final exam – 15-20%; Literature research paper - 5%; Assignments, pop quizzes and class participation 5%:
A = 90 - 100; B = 80-89; C = 70 - 79; D =60 - 69; E < 60

X. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Each student is expected to be prompt and regular in class attendance. A student may be excused who has failed to attend class on any particular day provided work is made up satisfactorily (modified excerpt from catalog).

XI. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: Cheating, plagiarism (submitting another person’s work as one’s own, or doing work for another person which will receive academic credit) are all impermissible. This includes the use of unauthorized books, notebooks or other sources in order to secure or give help during an assignment, the unauthorized copying of examinations, assignments, reports or term papers, or the presentation of unacknowledged material as if it were your own work. If substantial evidence exists for violation of this policy, the student(s) involved will receive a grade of ‘E’ for the course and a written explanation of the violation will be included in their academic file and a copy sent to the Chair of your major department. Disciplinary action may be taken beyond the academic discipline that the instructor administers in the course itself.

XII.TEXTS AND REFERENCES: Raven and Johnson. 1999. Biology, 5th Edition. McGraw Hill Publ.
Lytle. 1999. General Zoology Laboratory Guide
Scientific journals and reference books in Waterfield Library and data bases on World Wide Web

XIII. PREREQUISITES: None