BIOLOGY 322
Vertebrate Diversity
Instructor:
Dr. David J. Germano
Science Bldg I, Room 212
Phone #: 654-2471 Email: dgermano@csub.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 11:00 - 12:25 pm, 2:00 – 3:00 pm; Tues/Thurs 12:00 – 12:55 pm
Text: Field Guides for fish, amphibians and reptiles, birds, and mammals (required)
Recommended (but others will work)
McGinnis, S. M. 2006. Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of California. Univ. California Press.
Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin.
Peterson, R. T. 1990. Western Birds. Houghton Mifflin.
Kays, R. W., and D. E. Wilson. 2002. Mammals of North America. Princeton Univ. Press.
Course Objectives:
This is an upper division course in biology that is meant to give you an overview of the diversity of vertebrate animals. Compared to most other animals, vertebrates generally are large, ecologically and commercially important, and many species now are endangered and are protected by state and federal laws. If your interests are to work in governmental wildlife or land management agencies or environmental fields, it is important to have a basic knowledge of vertebrates. I will present information on all vertebrate classes, however, I will focus on the tetrapods. At the end of the quarter, you should know what vertebrates are, understand the basic biology of each class, and know the diversity of animals in each class.
The lecture will cover basic evolution, diversity, and biology of vertebrate animals. However, a major portion of the class is laboratory and field experiences. I want you to learn to distinguish major groups of vertebrates by actually seeing specimens. In the laboratory you will handle preserved specimens. This will be supplemented with slides of animals in nature. In addition, you will learn some common vocalizations of frogs, toads, and birds by listening to recordings. Perhaps even more important (and even more fun!) is the time you will spend in the field. I will have one mandatory field trip (on a Saturday) where we will look for birds (these are the most easily found groups of vertebrates). In addition, you need to help with 2 additional field efforts, but it can be at a time that fits your schedule. Most of these additional field experiences will be in conjunction with the field research that I conduct in the valley on a variety of species. Finally, you will conduct a field research project of your own and will write a research paper based on this work (Friday assigned times will make up for this project time).
You will demonstrate your understanding of these topics by written examinations (1 exam during the quarter and a final exam) and by various assignments in lab. Lecture exams will be a combination of one-word answers, short answers, and a few short essays. Exams will test both your ability to remember facts given in lecture and your ability to determine answers to questions that make use of these facts. Laboratory assignments will consist of several papers, conducting field research, and 2 laboratory exams on vertebrate identification of preserved specimens, slides, and vocalizations.
Student Objectives:
1.) Gain an understanding of the diversity of vertebrates worldwide
2.) Understand the basic biology of each class of vertebrates
3.) Know the current accepted evolutionary history of each group of vertebrates
4.) Be able to identify local amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals
5.) By conducting a research project, understand how to gather data on biological diversity and how to effectively transmit this information in an accepted scientific format
Grading:
I will assure you of an A if your earn 90% of total points (lecture and lab), a B if you earn 80-89% of points, a C if you earn 70-79% of points, and a D if you earn 60-69% of points. However, I suspect that I will curve this scale down slightly (in other words, 87% or 88% of points may earn you an A, etc., if the distribution of point totals at the end of the quarter warrant this change). I will never curve grades upwards. In no case will you earn a passing grade with 50% of points or less. I cannot be bribed and I will not grant extra-credit work on your part to make up for a poor effort on a test: meaning that you must come prepared to do well on tests, quizzes, papers, and other assignments.
So how will you earn your grade? Here are the ways:
Lecture:
California Habitat Map: 25 pts
Exam 1: 100 points
Final Exam: 150 points
Total Lecture: 275 points
Laboratory:
Laboratory Practical (2 @ 75 points each): 150 points
Research Report—Census Techniques: 50 points
Field Participation: 100 points
Research Report—Student Field Data: 100 points
Total Laboratory: 400 points
TOTAL POINTS: 675 points (Grades will be determined from this total.)
LECTURE SCHEDULE
VERTEBRATE DIVERSITY
Biology 322—CSUB Fall 2007
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Day Date Topic
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September M 10 Introduction / California Habitats / Fish Provinces
W 12 Evolution of Fish / California Fish Assemblages
M 17 Fish Biology / Anatomy / California Freshwater Fish
W 19 Evolution of Tetrapods / Amphibians
M 24 Amphibian Diversity
W 26 Amphibian Biology
October M 1 California Amphibian Diversity
W 3 Reptile Evolution / Diversity
M 8 Reptile Diversity
W 10 Reptile Biology
M 15 California Reptile Diversity
W 17 Bird Evolution / Diversity
M 22 Bird Biology
W 24 Bird Diversity
M 29 California Bird Diversity
W 31 Mammal Evolution / Diversity
November M 5 Mammal Diversity
W 7 Mammal Diversity
M 12 Veteran’s Day Holiday ** NO CLASS **
W 14 Mammal Biology
M 19 California Mammal Diversity
** FINAL EXAM: TUESDAY; 27 NOVEMBER; 2:00-4:30 PM **
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LABORATORY SCHEDULE
VERTEBRATE DIVERSITY
Biology 322—CSUB Fall 2007
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September T 11 Introduction to Labs / Research Report
Th 13 Library Research on Census Techniques
T 18 California Fishes
Th 20 California Fishes (**California Habitat Map Due**)
T 25 Field Time (WPT Trapping)
Th 27 Field Time (WPT Trapping)
October T 2 Amphibian Diversity (including calls)
Th 4 Amphibian Diversity (including calls)
T 9 Reptile Diversity (** Census Technique Report Due **)
Th 11 Reptile Diversity
T 16 LECTURE EXAM 1
Th 18 LAB PRACTICAL: Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles
T 23 Bird Diversity (including calls)
Th 25 Bird Diversity (including calls)
T 30 Field Time (Rodent Trapping)
November Th 1 Field Time (Rodent Trapping)
T 6 Project Time
Th 8 Mammal Diversity
Saturday 10 BIRD SURVEY FIELD TRIP (Kern NWR)
T 13 Mammal Diversity (** Research Report Due **)
Th 15 LAB PRACTICAL: Birds and Mammals
Friday Assigned Times are for Project Activity