ZOOLOGY - BIOL 5 - FALL 1997

Tentative Lecture Schedule and Reading List

chapt main topic

8/ 25 1-11 Introduction to course; cells

27 32-37 Life - principles, questions, patterns; scientific method

9/ 3 12 Protista

8 11,39,40 Evolutionary principles; niches

10 12 Protista

15 13 Porifera

17 4,10 Tissues

22 EXAM I

24 6,7 Overview of Kingdom Animalia; introduction to embryology

26 LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT "W"

29 14 Cnidaria, Ctenophora

10/ 1 15 Platyhelminthes, etc.

6 16 Nematodes, etc

8 17 Mollusca

13 17 Mollusca

15 18 Annelida

20 19,20 Arthropoda

22 EXAM II

27 20,21 Arthropoda

29 21 Arthropoda

11/ 3 6,7 Embryology

5 24 (22,23) Echinodermata (and others)

12 26 (25) Introduction to Chordata (and other deuterostomes)

17 EXAM III

19 27 Fish

19 LAST DAY TO DROP WITH A "W"

24 27,28 Fish, Amphibia

26 29 Reptilia

12/ 1 30,31 Birds, mammals

3 32-37 Animal systems

8 2,3,11,12 Theories of the Origins of Life

10 Conclusions

17 FINAL EXAM -- 8:15 a.m.

8/ 25 1 Microscopes; recording data

27 2,6 Cells; lab skills: keying and recording data

9/ 3 7 Protista

8 7 Protista

10 8 Porifera

15 REVIEW

17 LAB EXAM I

22 5 Tissues

26 LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT "W"

24 9 Cnidaria; Metridium dissection

29 5 Tissues

10/ 1 10 Acoelomates: Platyhelminthes

6 11 Pseudocoelomates: Nematoda; Ascaris dissection

8 12 Molluscs; clam, squid dissections

13 13 Annelids; Lumbricus dissection

15 REVIEW

19 Back Bay Sunday -- field trip

20 LAB EXAM II

22 14-16 Arthropoda

27 14-16 Arthropoda

29 14-16 Arthropoda

11/ 3 4 Embryology

5 4 Embryology

12 17 Echinodermata; sea star dissection

15 beach Saturday -- field trip

17 REVIEW

19 LAB EXAM III

19 LAST DAY TO DROP WITH A "W"

24 18,19 Introduction to Chordata; Cartilaginous fish; shark dissection

26 19,20 Bony fish; perch dissection; Amphibia

12/ 1 21 Reptilia

3 22 Aves; pigeon dissection

8 23 Mammalia; pig dissection

10 LAB EXAM IV

Be sure to come to lab prepared! You must have a dissection set. Bring it to class every day. Read your lab manual BEFORE coming to class so that you are prepared to follow instructions and learn from your experience. Bring your lab manual & textbook to class every day also - you will need to write in the manual and use both as references. Lab manuals may be checked or collected at any time, so be sure to keep it up to date, and complete. Lab manuals will be collected and checked at each lab practical exam!

10/19 FIELD TRIP -- Newport Back Bay ** note: this is a SUNDAY **

11/15 FIELD TRIP -- TIDE POOL ** note: this is a SATURDAY **

NOTE: Two field trips are scheduled this semester. One is scheduled for Sunday 10/19, 2-5 p.m. (approx) the second is Saturday 11/15, 2-5 p.m. (approx) Be sure to schedule this NOW so it won't be a problem later. Consider car pooling, too, for LOTS of reasons including conservation, parking (at IVC & at site) and companionship. If one of these is impossible, schedule an alternative assignment IMMEDIATELY. Requests for alternative assignments made after the first week of class may not be honored. Field trip attendance (or alternative) are absolutely required for a passing grade.

LABORATORY SUPPLIES: Dissection kit, metric ruler, latex gloves -- required
Safety goggles or equivalent; lab coat or apron recommended

Office Hours: Mon 12:30-1:30 pm; Tues 1:30-3:30 pm; Wed 8:30-9:30 am; Thurs 10-11pm;
              & by appointment             usually held in A408: Tues. 1:30-3:30 pm

GRADES ARE BASED ON THE EXAMS (LAB & LECTURE) INDICATED IN SCHEDULE, LAB PARTICIPATION AND COMPLETION OF ADDITIONAL WORK TO BE ASSIGNED.

The weight (point value) of each component is tentatively assigned as follows:

Midterm I:   100             Lab Practica:  4@ 50 each                     = 200 total
Midterm II:  125             Lab reports for field trips: 2 @50 each    = 100
Midterm III: 125             Participation & Other assignments:              100 [possibly more as "extra credit"]
Final Exam:  150             Lab notebook completion:                          100

Total= 1,000

Final letter grades are tentatively assigned:
>90% = A; 80-89% = B; 66-79% = C; 55-65% = D; <55% = F

Completion of all assignments is required. If you miss a lab practical it can not be made up. If a lecture exam is missed, a make-up exam may be arranged. You MUST notify instructor IMMEDIATELY - before the exam if possible. Be warned, this exam may be more difficult than the class exam. You may only make up one exam during the semester!

READING ASSIGNMENTS; EXAMS: The text is an information resource. Therefore, text chapters listed for each lecture are not exclusive - there may be pertinent information elsewhere in the text. Additional reading may be assigned in lecture. Exams will be based primarily on material covered in lecture, lab and handouts, and parts of the text specified during lecture. Handouts, vocabulary lists, etc. are intended as study aides and references to assist note-taking during lecture. These do NOT limit the material required for examinations. That is, vocabulary and diagrams not included in any handout may be used and required for exams. Correct spelling of animal names, scientific terms, and any other words where misspelling might be misleading or confusing, will be penalized ie counted "wrong".

Lecture exams will include short answer and multiple-choice questions, open-ended essays, and diagrams (drawings). Each exam will be based primarily on the unit(s) covered since the last exam. However, the nature of this class and the study of Zoology is hierarchical. Thus, to some extent, each exam is also cumulative and will relate to previous topics. While the final exam will focus on the last portion of the class, it will also be deliberately cumulative and will integrate material from the entire semester. Lab exams will be discussed in lab. Any combination of identification of structures and organisms, knowledge of their functions and inter-relationships, and demonstrations of students' own dissections and ability to dissect may be on any practical exam. Furthermore, since lab and lecture are related, material covered in either lecture or lab may appear on lecture and lab exams.

NOTE: all papers including exams will be returned to student if possible. IVC regulations state that paperwork will be held for 3 months after the end of a semester. After that period, all uncollected work will be discarded. Please note that it is your responsibility to retain all of your records. No reconsideration of any grade is possible without evidence, and it is the student’s responsibility to demonstrate the basis of any grade change. IT IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO RECOVER THESE MATERIALS!!

TEXTS: Hickman, Roberts & Larson, Integrated Principles of Zoology, 9th edition 1995
Hickman & Hickman, Laboratory Studies in Integrated Zoology, 8th edition 1992
van de Graaff & Crawley, A Photographic Atlas for the Biology Laboratory 1993
 

Additional assignments may be made at any time. The following are assigned on a regular basis:

1. Due at the beginning of each lecture: a brief statement of the three (3) most important, interesting, or in some way notable points from the previous lecture. Please note that there is no "right" answer for this. As part of your review and study, after lecture, note the points that intrigue you. Write a brief statement of the point -- fact, idea, comparison, unanswered question, or whatever. Explain briefly why you are intrigued.. These may be handed to other students in the class for their brief comments, then back to the instructor. Each is worth 2 "participation" points. [Occasionally, other assignments may be substituted]

2. Due by the start of each lecture exam: three (3) multiple choice questions for each chapter (or major topic) covered on the exam. Each question must have 5 possible answers. The correct answer MUST be designated [the easiest way is probably to use a different typeface, or put a * in the margin, or ..., rather than a separate list of answers.] There may be some exceptions to the "3 questions per chapter" quantity - for example some chapters are hardly covered and may be combined for these purposes, while others may be discussed more intensely and deserve a double portion of questions. Any such exceptions will be announced in class. Each set of 3 questions earns one "participation" point. If questions are handed in by one week before an exam, they may be used on the exam itself. Thus this assignment has three potential benefits: it is a way to earn points, it should be a good study aide (for students who write thoughtful questions), and if one of your own questions appears on the exam, it should be to your advantage.

You may work on these assignments in your study groups, but each student is responsible, individually, for completing each assignment. If they are handed in jointly, all names MUST appear on the assignment, and there MUST be a commensurate multiple of the assigned questions ( e.g. if two people work together => 6 "interesting points" or 6 multiple choice questions per chapter/topic for full credit).

FORMAT: please do NOT use a cover sheet. Write a heading including your name, the date (the date turned in!) and the name of the assignment (e.g. "lecture 2/12" or "exam 3 questions") at the top of the [first] page. You may use single or double space according to your preference. You may use both sides of the sheet if you wish to conserve paper.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: IVC Regulations and guidelines regarding academic honesty will be followed and enforced. Cheating or plagiarism may result in an F on the assignment involved, the entire course, or, in even more serious cases, College disciplinary action may be taken. If you have any questions or confusion about what is considered honest (and what is not) be sure to clarify these definitions right away! There are no "second chances".

NOTE: IT IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP A COURSE OFFICIALLY IF THE STUDENT WISHES TO AVOID AN "F". THE INSTRUCTOR MAY DROP STUDENTS FOR NON-ATTENDANCE, BUT THIS IS DISCRETIONARY. STUDENTS WHO DO NOT DROP, BUT DO NOT COMPLETE THE WORK WILL RECEIVE "F".
 
 
 

ZOOLOGY - BIOL 5 - FALL 1995 - LABORATORY GUIDELINES & POLICIES

Special care, safety, conscientiousness and attention to detail, and cooperation are vital to a successful laboratory experience. Unlike the lecture classroom, frequent serious issues of safety arise. Laboratory equipment is fragile and expensive, and must be handled carefully and correctly for the safety of the equipment and the student. Indeed, most of the rules for the lab are for the benefit of both the lab and its living inhabitants.

1. Cleanliness:
a. NO FOOD OR BEVERAGE IN THE LAB AT ANY TIME. This includes containers even if no-one is eating or drinking in the lab. Please use trash receptacles OUTSIDE the lab!

b. You are responsible for cleaning your work area & any equipment you use - and that of the entire group. Make sure your partners clean up after themselves - otherwise you might have to. Specific instructions will be provided in lab e.g. for slides, dissection trays, etc.

c. After cleaning, all equipment must be replaced in storage areas as instructed in lab.

d. Broken glass: report all breakage to the lab instructor. There are special containers for its disposal. If prepared slides are broken it is especially important to tell the instructor immediately. Obviously - try to avoid breakage !!

2. Safety:

a. Always wear closed-toe shoes in the lab. ABSOLUTELY NO BEAR FEET.

b. When preserved specimens are used in the lab, special procedures are required:

    1. Wear safety glasses, goggles, or side shield for prescription glasses.

    2. Lab coat and latex gloves are recommended.

    3. Collect specimens into designated containers. Biological materials are collected into containers separately from disposables (gloves, paper towels, etc.)

c. If anything gets into your eyes IMMEDIATELY inform the instructor & flush eyes for at least 15 min. (emergency eye wash & shower are at the front of the room)

d. A first aid kit is at the front bench. Inform the instructor IMMEDIATELY of any injury.

3. Care of equipment & supplies:

a. Only ONE prepared slide may be taken at a time for viewing. You may take another when you return the first. Suggestion: each member of a lab group may take a different slide. If you each set up one, you can go from 'scope to 'scope and work on the set together - COOPERATIVELY

b. Utmost care is required for handling microscopes and prepared slides.

c. Replace slides in the correct tray when you are finished so that other students may see them.

d. Microscopes must be checked by the instructor before returning them to storage. Failure to check the microscope properly will result in loss of points for the day.
 

It is your responsibility to come to lecture and lab prepared. In lab, this means that you have read the lab manual sections PRIOR to lab, have all of the necessary equipment with you including the lab manual, paper, pen & pencil, and any other specific assignments.

In the laboratory, and on our field trips, we will experience zoology firsthand. Science is a process of acquiring information, and the process of formulating coherent hypotheses from a synthesis of these observations and inferences drawn from them. The first step is to describe the initial observation. In this class the description is almost always an annotated drawing or sketch.

The goal of drawing or sketching observations in lab (or in the field) is not an artistic rendering. The goal is to represent the important features of the observation in a fashion that will allow anyone - especially the person who made the sketch, since the sketch is also "notes" - to understand what was observed and to recognize one if it is ever seen again. It is imperative that all students sketch every animal and slide observed in class. These drawing are your notes, as well as a record of your work and effort.

KEYS TO GOOD LAB NOTES & DRAWINGS:

-- TITLE - each unit of work should has a title. This helps organize your work and your thought & study.

-- DATE - chronological organization often helps "place" information in context

-- LABEL - all drawings [graphs, tables, etc. -- not in Zoology, but important in other classes] must be labeled. This is different from a title. Labels point to parts of a drawing, so that the information gathered at the time of the initial observation and study is not forgotten. For example, when you are looking at a slide or a dissection (or whatever) you will, in the course of things, identify various structures (e.g. "nucleus", "contractile vacuole", "kidney", etc.). These should all be drawn and labeled so you can refer back to your drawings for study.

-- MAGNIFICATION - always indicate the magnification used for the observation. It is NOT necessary - or even very helpful - to try to draw microscope observations in a little circle which represents the field. Draw a representative image, not necessarily the whole field in view.

-- NOTES - sometimes other notations are helpful, for example, reference to class discussions, relevant page numbers in text or lab manual, or comparisons with other specimens observed in lab. Again, what seems unforgettable in lab while a discussion is ongoing is easily forgotten once you leave lab. Jot it down!

-- ALL LAB NOTES AND DRAWING MUST BE DONE IN LAB -- these are lab notes -- your notes of your own personal observations. They are not to be simply copied from a book when you go home. If you wish to supplement your sketches, that is fine, but these additional notes must be indicated as such. Similarly, if you want to re-draw something, clean it up, embellish it, or whatever, that is also fine, but must be indicated. The original, no matter how messy, must always be included as well as the revision.

-- COLORS - this is not art class. Ordinarily, pencil is the writing utensil of choice. If you feel that you must use colors, be sure to use colors that accurately represent WHAT YOU OBSERVED. Otherwise, if you desperately want to use colors to highlight your observations or for some other artistic effect, you may include supplemental drawings as part of your notes. These may be colored in whatever fashion you choose. But your original lab drawings - the records of your observations - are to be drawn in black pencil only.
 
 

Your microscope #: __________

Your lab partner(s) name(s):

[You may want to record how to get in touch with classmates & study partners in case of absence, as well.]