BIOL 421 / VB SC 421 (F ALL 2010) - Department of Biology

BIOL 421 / VB SC 421 (FALL 2010)
COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY (4 CREDITS)
PRE-REQUISITE: BIOLOGY 240W
LECTURES: TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, 2:30-3:20 PM; 207 HENDERSON SOUTH
LAB SECT 001 MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS, 10:10-12:05; 112 MUELLER
LAB SECT 002 MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS, 8:00-9:55; 112 MUELLER
LAB SECT 004 TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, 8:00-9:55, 112 MUELLER
LAB SECT 005 TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, 10:10-12:05, 112 MUELLER
Instructors (alphabetical order):
Dr. Nüket Acar (Course Co-coordinator)
Faculty, Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences Department
111E Henning Building
(814) 863-5938
e-mail: nap2@psu.edu
Office hours: By appointment
Dr. Jeff Dodds (Course Co-coordinator and Lab coordinator)
Faculty, Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences Department
101 Centralized Biological Laboratory
(814-865-1495)
e-mail: jwd12@psu.edu
Office hours: By appointment
Dr. Kathy Heiderstadt (Lab coordinator)
Veterinarian, Animal Resource Program
101 Centralized Biological Llaboratory
(814)865-1495
e-mail: kmh31@psu.edu
Office hours: By appointment
Dr. Jeanne Lumadue (Lecture Instructor)
Faculty, Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences Department
313 Life Sciences Building
(814) 404-6246
e-mail: jal44@psu.edu
Office hours: By appointment
Dr. Robert VanSaun (Lecture Instructor)
Professor, Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences Department
111B Henning Building
e-mail: rjv10@psu.edu
(814) 865-6995
Office hours: By appointment
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Laboratory Teaching Assistants
Section 001 (Monday and Wednesday 10:10 – 12:05)
Section 002 (Monday and Wednesday 8:00 – 9:55)
Teaching Assistant: Anna Stanhewicz
e-mail: axs1056@psu.edu
Office: Noll, room 129
Office Phone: 863-2948
Office Hours: Fridays from 9:00-10:30
Section 004 (Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 – 9:55)
Teaching Assistant: Kelsey Krebs
e-mail: kjk5103@psu.edu
Office Hours: Fridays from 10:30-11:30
Section 005 (Tuesday and Thursday 10:10-12:05)
Teaching Assistant: Natalie Herron
e-mail: nvh5012@psu.edu
Office Hours: Fridays from 2:30-3:30
Text:
Vertebrates, Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution by Kenneth Kardong, McGraw-Hill, 2009
(5 th Edition). Note: Older editions of this text may be used. However, students should be aware that
reading assignments are based on the most recent edition. Page and illustration numbers may not exactly
match when older editions are used.
Laboratory Manual (Required)
Comparative Anatomy: Manual of Vertebrate Dissection Second Edition by Fishbeck and
Sebastiani, Morton Publishing Company, 2008. The laboratory manual (second edition) is required.
Students should not attempt to use older versions of this manual.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Objectives:
This course is designed to provide students with a broadly applicable understanding of anatomy.
• Knowledge and understanding of anatomic structure and terminology is a basic requirement
of the biological sciences and forms the foundation for many related disciplines.
• Those students who pursue higher degrees in such areas as human or veterinary medicine will
find that there are many similarities between the examples provided in this course and the
species in which they specialize.
• However, pre-professional students should understand that the focus of this course is neither
human nor veterinary anatomy.
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By the end of the semester students will have accomplished the following:
1. Students will be able to identify anatomic structures and understand their function.
2. Students will have become familiar with the evolutionary history of vertebrates as well as with
vertebrate taxonomy and basic concepts of embryonic development.
3. Students will understand the relationship between anatomic structure and function and be able to
use comparisons between ancestral and descendant vertebrate species to illustrate evolutionary
adaptations.
4. Students will have become familiar with basic concepts of embryology including differentiation
of tissues and organ formation which provides a basis for understanding organ structure as well as
the relationship of an organ to other structures in the body.
5. Students will have examined the development of structures that have homologues in ancestral
and/or descendant species and illustrate parallels between evolutionary and developmental
biology.
Comparisons of structure, function, and embryonic development between representatives of various
vertebrate taxa will be used throughout the semester necessitating thorough understanding and retention
of this material.
Laboratory objectives:
Laboratory exercises will involve work with preserved laboratory specimens and will focus heavily on
anatomic structure identification. Areas of study include anatomic directional terminology, vertebrate
classification systems, early embryonic development, a detailed examination of the skeletal system and a
series of dissections of the various organ systems.
� Specimens are selected to illustrate the anatomy of early vertebrate species, the evolutionary
changes observed in descendant species and the association of morphology with lifestyle.
� Although multiple species will be examined, students will invest the majority of their time
becoming familiar with the anatomy of a representative mammal (the cat).
� However, students will be expected to recognize selected anatomic structures in each species
studied.
COURSE POLICIES
Lecture Exams
Tests will focus on material presented during lectures as well as material covered in assigned reading.
Each exam will focus on material covered since the previous test. However, some test questions may
require knowledge of material presented earlier in the course.
There will be two midterm exams and a non-comprehensive final exam worth a total of 400 points.
Exams will be weighted based on the number of lectures covered on each exam.
Midterm Exam #1 – Thursday, September 30 th , will count for approximately 33% of the lecture grade
Midterm Exam #2 – Tuesday, November 2 nd , will count for approximately 33% of the lecture grade
Final Exam (non-comprehensive) will count for approximately 33% of the lecture grade.
Laboratory Exams
Laboratory exams will focus on structure identification and function. Any information covered in
assigned reading and in lab exercises may be included in the lab exams. Emphasis will be placed on
material presented since the last prior exam. However, some exam questions may require knowledge of
material presented earlier in the course.
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Lab Exam Schedule:
Laboratory Exams are administered on Fridays (Times to be scheduled).
Lab Exam #1 – Friday, September 24 th , Mueller Room 112
Lab Exam #2 – Friday, October 29 th , Mueller Room 112
Lab Exam #3 – Friday, December 10 th , Mueller Room 112
Laboratory Quizzes
Quizzes will cover material presented in the laboratory and assigned reading. Emphasis will be placed on
material presented since the last prior quiz. However, some quiz questions may require knowledge of
material presented earlier in the course. Quiz scores will be combined with the scores from lab exercises
for a combined total of 160 points. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.
Laboratory Exercises
Laboratory exercises are to be completed and turned in at the end of the laboratory period. The laboratory
exercises will contribute to the final grade as described below. Attendance at the laboratory session is
required in order to receive credit for the exercise. Students who miss a laboratory session due to an
excused absence should arrange a make up assignment with the instructor.
Grading
Laboratory exams = 240 points
Lab exercises and Quizzes = 160 points
Lecture & Final exams = 400 points
Total = 800 points
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95-100% = A
90-94% = A-
87-89% = B+
83-86% = B
80-82% = B-
77-79% = C+
70-76% = C
60-69%= D
Below 60% = F
Illness and Excused Absence
Notify a Course Coordinator (Dr. Acar or Dr. Dodds) in advance if you will not be able to attend an
exam or laboratory session. Let us know as soon as possible; don’t wait to the last minute. If an
examination is missed as arranged with a course coordinator or due to illness, a make-up examination
will be arranged promptly at a mutually convenient time for the instructor and the involved student.
Missed laboratory sessions and quizzes must be made up during scheduled office hours.
Unexcused Absence:
Lab exercises turned in late due to an unexcused absence may (at the discretion of the instructor) be
subject to a grade reduction of up to 50%.
Laboratory Safety
Eye protection is not required, but students who wear contact lenses should know that the embalming
fluids that preserve the specimens can cause eye irritation. Inform your TA if you feel faint or nauseous
during the laboratory period. Use of scalpels should be limited to dissections which cannot be completed
with scissors or by blunt dissection. If you hurt yourself during a lab session please see your lab
instructor immediately so that they can administer first aid and report your injury.
Laboratory Specimens
This lab will involve examination and dissection of preserved animals. Students are expected to treat all
lab specimens with respect. Photography of lab specimens by students will not be allowed and may
result in removal of students from the lab. All dissection specimens, bones, models, charts, and etc.,

are to remain in the lab. Anyone caught removing lab material will fail the course. Separate waste
disposal bins will be provided for animal tissue and for regular lab trash, which must be kept separate.
Students caught improperly disposing of trash will be expected to fix the problem. The laboratory TA
may assign any student from his/her lab section to remove biological waste from the regular trash.
Classroom Courtesy
1. Turn your cell phone off or set it to vibrate before class. Leave the room if you need to speak on
the phone.
2. Food and beverage consumption is not permitted in the classroom.
3. Leave the classroom in good condition for the next class (i.e., rearrange moved chairs, etc.; Throw
away your trash).
4. Treat everyone in the class with respect. Derogatory or demeaning comments towards any group
or person will not be tolerated.
Suggestions
1. Complete the laboratory reading assignment prior to lab. You are likely to learn more during lab
if you have prepared in advance.
2. Turn laboratory assignments in at the completion of the lab session. Assignments that are turned
in late will not be graded unless arranged for in advance.
3. Attend every class. In general, those who attend class achieve higher grades.
Academic Integrity
Cheating is turning in someone else’s work as your own.
Cheating is “getting advice” from another student, or source, during an exam.
Cheating is cutting and pasting someone else’s words into your project without giving credit.
Cheating is NOT using a correctly cited quote from someone else’s work to make your point.
Cheating is NOT working with another student inside or outside of class.
Cheating is NOT making mistakes, asking questions and fixing errors – that’s learning!
Academic integrity, as defined by University Faculty Senate Policy 49-20, is the pursuit of
scholarly activity free from fraud and deception and is an educational objective of this institution.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating of
information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized
possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without
informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. Violations of
academic integrity will result in sanction including, but not limited to, a zero grade on the
assignment in question and documentation of the incident with Judicial Affairs.
If you are so overwhelmed that you have considered cheating, please see me. I will be happy to
help. The goal is to learn, not just to get a grade.
Note to Students with Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. If you
have a disability-related need for modifications or reasonable accommodations in this course,
contact the Office for Disability Services, ODS, located at 116 Boucke Building at 1-814-863-
1807(V/TTY). For further information regarding ODS please visit their web site at
http://www.lions.psu.edu/ods/. Instructors should be notified as early in the semester as possible
regarding the need for modification or reasonable accommodations. If you have a disability please
let us know. We have always been able to find ways to accommodate students' special needs for
this course.
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LECTURE SCHEDULE
Lec. Date Subjects Reading Instructor
1 Aug 24 Introduction All
2 Aug 26 Terminology/Basic concepts Chapter 1 Dr. Lumadue
3 Aug 31 Origin of Chordates Chapter 2 Dr. Van Saun
4 Sept 2 The Vertebrate Story Chapter 3 Dr. Van Saun
5 Sept 7 Biological design Chapter 4 Dr. Lumadue
6 Sept 9 Skeletal system: The skull Chapter 7 Dr. Van Saun
7 Sept. 14 Skeletal system: The skull Chapter 7 Dr. Van Saun
8 Sept. 16 Life history Chapter 5 Dr. Lumadue
9 Sept. 21 Life history Chapter 5 Dr. Lumadue
10 Sept. 23 The Integument Chapter 6 Dr. Lumadue
11 Sept. 28 Skeletal system: The axial skeleton Chapter 8 Dr. Van Saun
Sept. 30 Midterm I (covers lectures 1-10)
12 Oct. 5 Skeletal system: appendicular skeleton Chapter 9 Dr. Van Saun
13 Oct. 7 The muscular system Chapter 10 Dr. Van Saun
14 Oct. 12 The digestive system Chapter 13 Dr. Van Saun
15 Oct. 14 The digestive system Dr. Van Saun
16 Oct. 19 The respiratory system Chapter 11 Dr. Lumadue
17 Oct. 21 The respiratory system Dr. Lumadue
18 Oct. 26 The circulatory system Chapter 12 Dr. Lumadue
19 Oct. 28 The circulatory system Dr. Lumadue
Nov. 2 Midterm II (covers lectures 11-19)
20 Nov. 4 The urogenital system Chapter 14 Dr. Van Saun
21 Nov. 9 The urogenital system Dr. Van Saun
22 Nov. 11 The nervous system Chapter 16 Dr. Van Saun
23 Nov. 16 The nervous system Dr. Lumadue
24 Nov. 18 The endocrine system Chapter 15 Dr. Lumadue
Nov 22-26 Thanksgiving Holiday – No class
25 Nov. 30 Sensory organs Chapter 17 Dr. Van Saun
26 Dec. 2 Sensory organs Dr. Lumadue
27 Dec. 7 Avian anatomy Dr Acar
28 Dec. 9 Material Review – SRTE Drs. Lumadue/Van Saun
Finals
Week
Exam III (covers lectures 20-28)
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2010 Laboratory Schedule
This schedule is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. The lab manual* and the Kardong
textbook will be used as references during the labs. Reading assignments will be posted on the Angel
web page before each lab. Please review the readings each week before lab and bring the lab manual to
the lab session. Additional handouts will be used in some labs and will be posted on the Angel web page
before each lab. These will be necessary to complete the labs and should be printed out by students
before coming to lab.
* Comparative Anatomy: Manual of Vertebrate Dissection, Second Edition. Fishbeck DW and
Sebastiani A, 2008. Morton Publishing Company.
Date Topic Lab
Aug. 23/24 No labs
Aug. 25/26 Anatomic - Directional Terminology & Cladistics 1
Aug. 30/31 Chordate/General vertebrate features 2
Sept. 1/2 Embryology/development, 3
Sept. 6/7 No labs
Sept. 8/9 Skeletal system-skull QUIZ 1 4
Sept. 13/14 Skeletal system-skull 5
Sept. 15/16 Skeletal system-axial, 6
Sept. 20/21 Skeletal system-appendicular QUIZ 2 7
Sept. 22/23 Review Day
Sept. 24 Lab Exam 1 covering labs 1-7
Sept. 27/28 Locomotion 8
Sept. 29/30 External Anatomy/Integument 9
Lecture Exam September 30 th
Oct. 4/5 Skinning the cat, muscular system, 10
Oct. 6/7 Muscular system Quiz 3 11
Oct. 11/12 Muscular system 12
Oct. 13/14 Muscular system, 13
Oct. 18/19 Digestive system & Body Cavities Quiz 4 14
Oct. 20/21 Digestive System comparisons 15
Oct. 25/26 Respiratory system, 16
Oct. 27/28 Review Day
Oct 29 Lab Exam 2 covering labs 8-16
Nov. 1/2 Urogenital & Endocrine Systems 17
Lecture Exam – Nov 2 nd
Nov. 3/4 Circulatory system 18
Nov. 8/9 Circulatory system, QUIZ 5 19
Nov. 10/11 Circulatory system 20
Nov. 15/16 Circulatory system comparisons 21
Nov. 17/18 Nervous System, Quiz 6 22
Nov. 22-26 Thanksgiving holiday – NO LABS
Nov. 29/30 Nervous System 23
Dec. 1/2 Nervous system, 24
Dec. 6/7 Avian anatomy 25
Dec. 8/9 Review Day
Dec. 10 Lab Exam 3 covering labs 17-25
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