Syllabus, BIO 3220, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

Fall 2019

PREREQUISITE: BIO 1080/90 and BIO 1081/91 (or equivalent)


Instructor: Dr. Hays – Lecture: 11-12:15 MW; Lab: 12:30-3:20 MW SI 2085

Office: SI 2032.

Phone: (303)615-0777; Fax: (303) 556-6426

E-Mail: [email protected]

Hays Homepage: http://sites.msudenver.edu/haysc

Office Hours: 8:30-11 MW; or by appointment


OPTIONAL TEXT: Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates, 9th Edition, by Kent and Carr and Hays outlines/objectives from Hays Homepage.  ISBN for text is 13: 9781308799308.  A lab manual is required, see laboratory objectives for that information.


 LECTURE AND LECTURE EXAM SCHEDULE:

DATES TOPICS READING
Aug. 17 Introduction Chapter 2
Aug. 19 Vertebrate Characteristics & Classes Chapter 1
Aug. 24 Vertebrate Classes Chapter 3&4
Aug. 26 Early Development Chapter 5
Aug. 31 Early Development & Integument (Integument not on Quiz 1)
Sept. 2 Integument (not on Quiz 1) Chapter 6
Sept. 3-6 QUIZ 1 Online
Sept. 7 No Class
Sept. 9 Integument/Intro to Skeleton
Sept. 14 Vertebrae Chapter 7
Sept. 16 Ribs, Sternum, Neurocranium Chapter 8&9
Sept. 17-20 QUIZ 2 Online
Sept. 21 Head Skeleton Chapter 9
Sept. 23 Head Skeleton
Sept. 28 Head Skeleton
Sept. 30 Appendicular Skeleton Chapter 10
Oct. 5 Appendicular Skeleton Chapter 10
Oct. 7 Muscular System (not on Quiz 3) Chapter 11
Oct. 8-11 QUIZ 3 Online
Oct. 12 Muscular System Chapter 11
Oct. 14 MIDTERM (Through Skeleton) In class
Oct. 19 Muscular System
Oct. 21 Digestive System Chapter 12
Oct. 26 Digestive System
Oct. 28 Respiratory System (not on Quiz 4) Chapter 13
Oct. 29-Nov. 1  QUIZ 4 Online
Nov 2 Respiratory System Chapter 13
Nov. 4 Circulatory System Chapter 14
Nov. 9 Circulatory System Chapter 14
Nov. 11 Circulatory System
Nov. 12-15 QUIZ 5 Online
Nov. 16 Urinary System Chapter 15
Nov. 18 Reproductive System
Nov 23-28 No Class
Nov. 30 Nervous System Chapter 16
Dec. 2 Nervous System
Dec. 3-6 QUIZ 6 Online
Dec. 7

This is a tentative date

FINAL EXAM (Muscles – Nervous System) In class
  • Students are responsible for full knowledge of the provisions and regulations pertaining to all aspects of their attendance at MSU Denver, and should familiarize themselves with the policies found in the MSU Denver Catalog.


EXAMS AND GRADES:

1. There will be 6 quizzes each worth 50 points (300 total). Each quiz has 50 multiple choice or true/false questions. These are open-note, open-book exams. However, you may not collaborate with your classmates. You can access the exams through Blackboard (msudenver.blackboard.com). You will have 1 hour to complete each quiz but only one chance to complete it. Online tests open at 12 a.m. on the date listed above and close at 11:59 p.m. on the date listed above (Thursdays-Sundays). If you miss the due date for an online quiz, notify your instructor. Late online exams will have an automatic deduction of 5 points per day late. When you are ready to take the quiz, click on the exam link, read the instructions, and then click “begin.” You may save your answers as you go, or wait until the end and save all of the answers and then “save and submit.” After it is submitted, click “ok” to view your results to learn from this assessment. There is a practice test that you may try at any time to make sure your web browser is compatible with Blackboard and to get familiar with the format. No points are awarded nor deducted for results on the practice test.

2. There will be a comprehensive midterm and final each worth 125 points (250 total). These are closed book tests administered in class.

3. There will be 3 lab exams each worth 100 points (300 total). 50 questions worth 2 points each. MOST of the questions will be identification of structures you have studied in lab.

4. The total number of points possible for the course is 850. Letter grades will be assigned on a percentage basis, as follows:

A = 765-850

B = 680-764

C = 595-679

D = 510-594

F = Fewer than 510 points

5. There will not be any exam make-ups allowed excepting for extenuating circumstances. If this occurs, I must be notified in person or by phone/email message BEFORE the exam begins.

6. The room door closes 15 minutes after the start of the class period on exam day. No exam may be started after this time.


Click here to see an optional extra credit opportunity. Note: This is the ONLY extra credit opportunity.


Campus Closure for snow days: Call 1-877-556-3637 for a recording to find out if the campus is closed.


Student Support:

Access Center for Disability Accommodations and Adaptive Technology www.msudenver.edu/access; 303-556-8387; Plaza 122.

Counseling Center (provides help with test anxiety) 303-556-3132; Tivoli 651.

Tutoring Center 303-556-4048, Student Success Bldg 230


COLLEGE OF LETTERS, ARTS, AND SCIENCES
SYLLABUS POLICIES – Fall 2020

Students are responsible for full knowledge of the provisions and regulations pertaining to all aspects of their attendance at MSU Denver, and should familiarize themselves with the policies found in the MSU Denver Catalog: MSU Denver Catalog.  For more information and most recent updates from these sources, click on the links provided below. This document is also posted on the CLAS website: https://msudenver.edu/las/policies/students/

WITHDRAWAL FROM A COURSE
Students should be aware that any kind of withdrawal can have a negative impact on some types of financial aid and scholarships.  For further information, click on the Financial Aid/Withdrawals page.  The Withdrawal (W) notation is assigned when a student officially withdraws from a course via the Student Hub after the drop deadline (census date) and before the withdrawal deadline posted in the Academic Calendar. Deadlines differ proportionally for courses offered during part of a semester, including late-start and weekend courses. Students should refer to the Student Detail Schedule via the Student Hub to review drop and withdrawal deadlines for individual courses. When a student withdraws from a course, no academic credit is awarded. The course remains on the student’s academic record with a “W” notation and counts toward the student’s attempted hours. The course is not calculated in the student’s GPA or quality points. Students who withdraw from a course are responsible for the full tuition and fees for that course. After the withdrawal deadline, students may not withdraw from a course and will be assigned the grade earned based on the course syllabus. A student-initiated withdrawal will appear as an “F” on the student’s academic record in any case of academic misconduct resulting in a permanent “F”.  For more information see “Grades and Notations” in the “Academic Policies and Procedures” section in the current Catalog.

ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL
The Administrative Withdrawal (AW) notation is assigned when a student, or representative, requests to be withdrawn from a course due to unforeseen or extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control. When the “AW” notation is assigned, no academic credit is awarded. The course remains on the student’s academic record with an “AW” notation and counts toward the student’s attempted hours. The course is not calculated in the student’s GPA or quality points.  Students may request an administrative withdrawal from the Office of the Registrar after the drop deadline (census date) posted in the Academic Calendar. Deadlines differ proportionally for courses offered during part of a semester, including late-start and weekend courses. Students should refer to the Student Detail Schedule via the Student Hub to review drop deadlines for individual courses.  For more information see “AW-Administrative Withdrawal” in the “Academic Policies and Procedures” section in the current Catalog.

INCOMPLETE POLICY
The Incomplete (I) notation may be assigned when a student who is achieving satisfactory progress in a course and who has completed most class assignments is unable to take the final examination and/or does not complete all class assignments due to unusual circumstances, such as hospitalization or disability. Incomplete work denoted by the Incomplete “I” notation must be completed within one calendar year or earlier, at the discretion of the faculty member. If the incomplete work is not completed within one year, the “I” notation will convert to an “F.” Students must have completed at least 75% of the course work to qualify for consideration for an incomplete. The student must be passing the course in order to be granted an incomplete. The course counts toward the student’s attempted hours, does not count toward earned hours, and is not calculated in the GPA or quality points. Determination of eligibility does not guarantee that an incomplete will be granted. Students who meet the qualifications may request an incomplete from the faculty member who is teaching the course. The decision to grant an incomplete is up to the faculty member or at the department chair’s discretion. The decision to grant an incomplete as an accommodation based on a student’s disability shall be made by the faculty member or the department chair, if the faculty member is not available, in consultation with the Director of the Access Center. If an incomplete is granted, the student and instructor should fill out and sign an Incomplete Agreement form to clarify what the student needs to do to complete the course. For further information, see the “I – Incomplete” section in the “Academic Policies and Procedures” section of the current Catalog.

BEST GRADE STANDS

A student’s grades for repeated courses will be removed from GPA calculations up to 18 semester hours, regardless of the original grade earned. If a student repeats more than 18 credit hours, the student may designate which of the course grades are removed from GPA calculations (up to 18 semester hours). Only the best grade and its associated credit will be calculated in the GPA and earned hours totals. Other attempts for the course will appear on the official academic record but will be annotated to indicate they do not count for academic credit or GPA calculation. This policy applies only to courses taken at MSU Denver, and it does not apply to courses designated as repeatable toward degree requirements.  For more information, see “Best Grade Stands” in the “Academic Policies and Procedures” of the current Catalog:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

As students, faculty, staff and administrators of Metropolitan State University of Denver, it is our responsibility to uphold and maintain an academic environment that furthers scholarly inquiry, creative activity and the application of knowledge. We will not tolerate academic dishonesty.  We will demonstrate honesty and integrity in all activities related to our learning and scholarship. We will not plagiarize, fabricate information or data, cheat on tests or exams, steal academic material, or submit work to more than one class without full disclosure. For further information see “Academic Integrity” on the Dean of Students website.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Follow the link for information regarding the MSU Denver Sexual Harassment Policy.

Follow the link for information regarding Title IX.

For more information, refer to the Student Code of Conduct page.

Access Center – Accommodating Students with Disabilities

The Metropolitan State University of Denver is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive learning environment for all students, including those with disabilities.  Students with a diagnosed condition/disability which may impact their access, performance, attendance, or grades in this class should contact the Access Center, located in the Plaza Building, Suite 122, 303-615-0200.

The Access Center is the designated department responsible for coordinating accommodations and services for students with disabilities.  Students will need to provide an Accessibility Notification Letter obtained from the Access Center to their faculty to activate their accommodations.  Information pertaining to a student’s disability is treated in a confidential manner.  Further information is available by visiting the Access Center website www.msudenver.edu/access.

“ADA Syllabus Statement” above available at https://msudenver.edu/access/facultyinformation/.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Attendance during the first week of class is required. It contributes greatly to teaching and learning. Some departments determine a student’s enrollment in a course based upon attendance during the first week of class. Consult the department for more information about the attendance policy for the class that you are attending. Students who drop classes are financially responsible for those classes in accordance with withdrawal/refund policies. . . . Students at MSU Denver who, because of their sincerely held religious beliefs, are unable to attend classes, take examinations, participate in graded activities or submit graded assignments on particular days shall, without penalty, be excused from such classes and be given a meaningful opportunity to make up such examinations and graded activities or assignments provided that proper notice and procedures are followed. For further information, see the Class Attendance policies page.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION POLICY

Use of MSU Denver email services should follow standards of normal academic and professional ethics, and is governed by University policies and applicable law. Inappropriate use may result in revocation of access to University computing systems, and could result in disciplinary action pursuant to the Student Handbook, Faculty Handbook, and Staff Handbook. For more information, see the Electronic Communication policy page.

GENERAL STUDIES

General Studies is an important part of your degree and makes you a well-educated person.  These courses teach you about the world you live in and also provide highly desirable skills for employment.  Follow this link to learn about the skills you are learning in each category of General Studies and feel free to use these descriptions in job applications.

 NOTE: If you have any difficulty accessing the hyperlinks in this document, please visit the MSU Denver website.


Catalog Course Description:

 A comprehensive study is made of the evolution of structure and function of vertebrates.  The laboratory portion of the course is emphasized and will consist of detailed dissections of vertebrates representing several classes.

Specific (Measurable) Student Behavioral Learning Objectives (format: 1, a, i, ii, etc.):

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

Lecture

  1. Explain why an understanding of basic evolutionary and embryological principles is essential for an  understanding of the theory of comparative anatomy.
  2. Relate structure and function of all organs in each body system.
  3. Analyze the structure, function and evolution of the vertebrate integument and its derivatives.
  4. Compare bone and cartilage and their respective roles in forming the vertebrate skeleton.
  5. Analyze the structure function and evolution of the vertebrate vertebral column, appendicular skeleton and     head skeleton.
  6. Relate bone and muscle in producing movements.
  7. Illustrate the microscopic features used in classifying muscles.
  8. Discuss the evolutionary  trends evident in muscle groups.
  9. Analyze the structure function and evolution of the coelom.
  10. Analyze the structure and function of the digestive system.
  11. Analyze the structure, function and evolution of the oral cavity and the pharynx and their derivatives.
  12. Compare the ontogeny and phylogeny of the vertebrate kidney.
  13. Theorize the evolutionary trends of the urogenital ducts of vertebrates.
  14. Diagram the functional anatomy of the heart.
  15. Theorize the evolution of the heart.
  16. Explain the evolution of systemic and pulmonary flow circuits.
  17. Analyze the structure, function and evolution of the nervous system and sensory organs of vertebrates.

 

Laboratory

  1. Observe anatomical materials more critically.
  2. Become skilled in dissecting procedures.
  3. Identify bone, cartilages and surface markings of skeletons. Compare similarities of these features between different vertebrate groups.
  4. Identify the major skeletal muscles of fishes, amphibians and mammals. Compare the locations and similarities of the muscles between these animals.
  5. Identify the structures of the respiratory, digestive, urogential, cardiovascular and nervous systems of representative vertebrates. Compare the locations and similarities of organs in these systems between the representative vertebrates.