BIO412A General Zoology Lab

Lead Faculty: Dr. Michael R. Maxwell

Course Description

This laboratory course will complement the student's knowledge of zoology with demonstrations and experiments. Contact hours for this laboratory course (45) are based on a 3:1 ratio, i.e. 3 lab hours = 1 lecture hour equivalent.

Learning Outcomes

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  Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

  1. Explain key steps of the scientific method, distinguish between inductive and deductive reasoning; distinguish between an experiment that includes a control sample and one that does not; give examples of types of data and explain the preference for mathematical data and explain the role of zoology as a scientific process.
  2. Describe and cite examples of the major characteristics of life.
  3. Identify the major branches of the biological sciences.
  4. Trace the contributions of early scientists to the develop of a model for evolution.
  5. Explain Darwin's mechanism of evolution; process of a natural selection.
  6. Describe the significance of the major line of evidence supporting evolution.
  7. State the five qualifications of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
  8. Explain the causes of micro evolution and identify the genetic basis of variation (Genetic drift, gene flow, mutation, non random mating, natural selection).
  9. Identify members of the 5 Kingdoms, name representative taxa and describe their characteristics and environmental importance.
  10. Describe a possible scenario for the evolution of the simplest living organisms.
  11. Explain the possible importance of symbiosis in the origin of the higher animals.
  12. Describe how the evolution of organ systems made possible larger size and the invasion of hostile environments.
  13. Identify, compare and contrast the structure and function of the four primary animal tissues.
  14. Describe the general functions, the components, and the mechanisms of action of the major organ systems: muscular, skeletal, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, immune, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive.
  15. Explain the principle of animal development; trace the development of an animal from fertilization to maturity; and explain the mechanisms that control and regulate development.
  16. Differentiate between the methods of developing phylogenetic schemes of classification; evaluate the evidence which support these schemes; name the groups in the current hierarchical taxanomic system.
  17. Summarize the theories on the origin of multicellarity; identify and compare the distinguishing characteristics of the main animal phyla and classify a given animal.
  18. Track the increasing complexity among different animal groups; list, describe and compare the degree of elaboration of symmetry, type of gut, type of body cavity, segmentation and cephalization; correlate the complexity of each of these five body features with the life styles commonly found in each group.
  19. Describe and interpret the phylogenetic relationships of the major animal phyla: Porifera-Chordata (including humans).
  20. Distinguish between innate and learned components of behavior and give examples of each; student will explain how behavior patterns are adaptive.

Prerequisite

• BIO412

Course Information

• Syllabus
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