Laboratory and Field Schedule
Spring, 2000
Meeting Time: 11:00AM - 2:00PM
Section 001: Thursday
Section 002: Tuesday
Lab Instructors: Alex Collier and Dan Shoup
Objectives of the laboratory portion of this class:
provide you with experience in identifying vertebrates common to NE Ohio
provide exercises/instruction to improve your understanding of vertebrate evolution
provide exercises/instruction to improve your understanding of vertebrate
ecology
| WEEK | Topic/Trip |
| Jan. 25-27 | Introduction; Primitive Vertebrates; Dichotomous Keys |
| Feb. 1-3 | Fish Identification, Ecology and Adaptation |
| Feb. 8-10 | Fish Identification |
| Feb. 15-17 | Speciation |
| Feb. 22-24 | Amphibian Identification, Ecology and Adaptation |
| Feb. 29 - March 2 | Amphibian Identification, Amphibians as Biomarkers of
Environmental Condition |
| March 7-9 | LAB EXAM 1 - Fish and Amphibians |
| March 14-16 | Field Trip - West Branch Mahoning River |
| March 21-23 | Spring Break |
| March 28-30 | Reptile Identification, Ecology and Adaptation |
| April 4-6 | Field Trip - West Branch State Park |
| April 11-13 | Mammal Identification, Ecology and Adaptation |
| April 18-20 | Mammal Identification |
| April 25-27 | Field Trip - TBA, likely Cuyahoga NRA |
| May 2-4 | Schedule/topic to be announced |
| May 12 (Friday) | LAB EXAM II - during final exam period (10:15AM- 12:30PM) |
General Rules
Attendance is required at all laboratory periods.
Written excuses must be provided for missed laboratory exams or laboratory
periods.
The laboratory periods are the only times that specimens will
be available for review. Given this, you will be well-served spending the
laboratory periods learning the material and working through the exercises
that instructors have designed, as you will be tested on this material
on the lab practicals.
The instructors reserve the right to add/delete individual lab topics.
Along with the three planned field trips, there will be 1-3 optional
field trips outside of class. Attendance at one or all of these optional
field trips will not
affect your grade.
Grading
Your laboratory grade will be based upon:
Lab Exam 1 100 points
Lab Exam 2 100 points
Research paper 100 points
TOTAL 300 points
Points accrued in lab will be summed with those from lecture to determine
your overall course grade.
Lab Exams
These examinations will include a practical section (e.g., identification
of species, description of function of a structure) and a short-answer
section (possibly focused on sampling methodology/techniques; application
of information presented in lab to novel situations).
Research Paper
Each student will write an 8-10 page, double-spaced research paper on a topic of their choice that relates to vertebrate zoology. Scanning the textbook may suggest possible topics; and if you have questions regarding topics, please do not hesitate to talk with the instructors during lab periods and/or office hours. The goals of this paper are for the students to:
1) gain significant understanding /insight into a focused topic in vertebrate zoology,
2) gain experience in scientific writing,
3) learn how to read, synthesize, and critique the peer-reviewed scientific literature, and
4) learn what library- and computer-based tools are available for finding
information.
The instructors will provide materials to guide the research and writing
components of this assignment.
Schedule for the research
paper
9 February - A one-page, double-spaced prospectus/description
of your topic is due. This write-up must also include a list of at least
10 references for peer-reviewed scientific papers that relate to the topic
of choice. The first 10 references must be from the primary, peer-reviewed
literature (i.e., no
textbooks or popular magazine articles). The prospectus and references
will allow the instructors to determine the feasibility and/or appropriateness
of your topic. At this point, the instructors will help you to more clearly
define/focus your topic and also make sure that there is enough published
material available to write a solid research paper.
3 April - The paper is due.
If you are satisfied with your grade on the initial paper, then that
grade will stand and be factored into your course grade. However, each
student has the option
of rewriting their paper such that they address the questions, concerns,
and corrections of the instructors. Their research paper grade will then
be calculated as the average of the initial draft and the rewritten version.
For example, if a student receives a 60% on the initial draft and a 100%
on the rewritten draft, their grade for the research paper will be an 80%.
1 May - If you choose to rewrite the paper, the rewrite
is due on this date. Any rewrite must address the points of concern and
corrections recommended by the instructors.
All due dates are course lecture periods; thus, assignments can be turned in during the regularly scheduled class period or brought to Dr. Kershner's office (Rm 251) or mailbox (in the departmental office, Rm 256) by 5:00PM on the due date. Do not deliver them to the offices of either Dan or Alex.