BIO308/508 - Comparative Anatomy

Course Syllabus for Spring 2009

Instructor
Dr. David Dilkes

      Office: HS-158
      Research Lab: HS-244
      Office Phone: 920-424-3074
      Email: dilkes@uwosh.edu
      Office Hours: 1:00-2:00pm on Tuesdays or by appointment

Introduction

Welcome to the web page for BIO308/508 Comparative Anatomy! Here you will find the course syllabus, links to lecture study guides, copies of articles in pdf format and links to a host of weird, funny and extremely information web sites for comparative anatomy. So, please spend some time exploring this web page and the many links that I have provided. I have created this page for you, to help with the course material and hopefully instill within you the same fascination that I have for vertebrate anatomy!

During the lectures and labs, we will explore the evolutionary history of selected organ systems of vertebrates. As we examine each organ system, we will draw upon information from the anatomy of living species, the steps during the development of organ systems and the fossil record. All of this information will be combined and placed within the context of the best-supported hypothesis of phylogeny. The basics of the currently accepted method, known as cladistics, for producing these phylogenetic hypotheses will be reviewed.

When and Where Do We Meet?

Lecture Hours:
Monday and Wednesday HS-367 3:00-4:30

Lab Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday HS-261 3:00-5:00

What Are Our Goals?

Course Objectives:
1. To be able to discuss the characteristic features of all vertebrates and know the broad pattern of the evolutionary relationships of vertebrates.
2. To know the relative contributions of modern anatomy, embryonic development and the fossil record to our understanding of the evolutionary history of the major organ systems of vertebrates.
3. To acquire skill and confidence for dissection, and be able to identify the major organs and their details in a vertebrate.

What Do You Need?

Textbooks and Materials for the Course
Required Textbook
Liem, K.F., W.E. Bemis, W.F. Walker, Jr., and L. Grande. 2001. Functional Anatomy of the Vertebrates. An Evolutionary Perspective. 3rd edition. Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.

Required Lab Manuals
Fishbeck, D. W. and A. Sebastiani. 2008. Comparative Anatomy. A Vertebrate Dissection Guide. 2nd Edition. Morton Publishing Company.
A Course Packet is available in the University Bookstore.

Lab Equipment
Most of each lab period will be spent dissecting representative vertebrates. You will need to bring to each lab period your copy of the lab manual, a dissecting kit and a lab coat. Your text will be useful, although not required. Rubber gloves will be supplied. The dissecting kit should contain a scalpel with replacement blades, a pair of small and large scissors, forceps and blunt and sharp probes.

Now For the Details!

Lecture Schedule for Spring 2009
For each lecture topic below, a link will be added to the lecture title to access the study guide for that lecture. I will add these links as the course progresses. Each study guide will consist of objectives of the lecture, terms to know, study questions and any links to comparative anatomy web pages that will provide additional information. These guides are a study aid for you, so please use them!

Lecture #	Date	Lecture Topic	Text Readings for Further Detail
1	Monday February 2	Introduction to the Course & Introduction to Cladistic Terminology PDF - Cladistics Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 1
2	Wednesday February 4	Synopsis of Vertebrate History PDF - Synopsis of Vertebrate History Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 2 (pgs. 41-46), and Chapter 3
3	Monday February 9	Embryology: Cleavage, Gastrulation, and Neurulation Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 4 (pgs. 131-142, 146-147)
4	Wednesday February 11	Integument: Scales, Hair and Feathers PDF - Skin of Vertebrates Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 6
5	Monday February 16	Mineralized Tissues (Handout) History of the Exoskeleton, and The Coelom Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 4 (pgs. 159-164) Chapter 5 (pgs. 184-195)
6	Wednesday February 18	Skull I – Chondrocranium (Neurocranium) and Splanchnocranium Answers to Study Guide Questions Essay Outline Due	Chapter 7 (pgs. 223-241, 245-246)
	Monday February 23	LECTURE EXAM #1 Lectures 1-6
7	Wednesday February 25	Skull II – Dermatocranium Answers to Study Guide Questions PDF of Dermatocranium Illustration	Chapter 7 (pgs. 237-238, 241-261)
8	Monday March 2	Skull III – Middle Ear Bones and other Evolutionary Modifications of the Splanchnocranium Answers to Study Guide Questions Summary of Scientific Paper Due	Chapter 7 (pgs. 261-267)
9	Wednesday March 4	Axial Skeleton Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 8
10	Monday March 9	Appendicular Skeleton PDF - Appendicular Skeleton Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 9
11	Wednesday March 11	Muscular System I: Muscle Tissue, Muscle Actions, Axial and Appendicular Muscles Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 10 (pgs 316-319, 321-322, 324-330, 337-345)
12	Monday March 16	Muscular System II: Branchiomeric Muscles Answers to Study Guide Questions Essay Draft Due	Chapter 10 (pgs. 331-337)
13	Wednesday March 18	Dentition Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 16 (pgs 534-540)
	Monday March 23 & Wednesday March 25	NO LECTURES: SPRING RECESS
14	Monday March 30	Digestive System PDF - Oral Cavity & Digestion Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 16 (pgs. 551-553) and Chapter 17
	Wednesday April 1	LECTURE EXAM #2 Lectures 7-12
15	Monday April 6	Respiratory System I – Principles of Diffusion of Gases, Cutaneous Respiration and Gills PDF - Respiratory System I Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 18 (pgs. 575-585)
16	Wednesday April 8	Respiratory System II – Lungs and Gas Bladders PDF - Respiratory System II Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 18 (pgs. 585-600)
17	Monday April 13	Circulatory System I – Pathways of Blood Flow & Venous System PDF - Circulatory System I Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 19 (pgs. 604-607, 608-611, 623-627)
18	Wednesday April 15	Circulatory System II – Aortic Arches & the Heart PDF - Circulatory System II Answers to Study Guide Questions Summary of Scientific Paper Due	Chapter 19 (pgs. 612-622)
19	Monday April 20	Nervous System – Central and Peripheral PDF - Nervous System Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 13 (pgs. 438-443, 445-447, 456-466) and Chapter 14
	Wednesday April 22	LECTURE EXAM #3 Lectures 13-18
20	Monday April 27	Sensory Organs – Eyes PDF - Eyes Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 12 (pgs. 422-432)
21	Wednesday April 29	Sensory Organs – Hearing, Balance, Lateral Line PDF - Hearing, Balance, Lateral Line Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 12 (pgs. 406-408, 411-422)
22	Monday May 4	Urinary and Reproductive Systems PDF - Urinary and Reproductive Systems Answers to Study Guide Questions Essay Final Due	Chapter 15 (pgs. 473-490)
23	Wednesday May 6	Form and Function of Vertebrates on Land and Water PDF - Form and Function Answers to Study Guide Questions	Chapter 5 (pgs. 197-204), Chapter 8 (Focus 8-2 on pgs. 288-289), and Chapter 11 (pgs. 352-357, 380-389)
	Monday May 11	Review for Lecture Exam 4
	Wednesday May 13	LECTURE EXAM #4 Lectures 19-24

Lab Schedule for Spring 2009

Lab #	Date	Lab Topic	Dissection Manual Readings
1	February 3	Introduction, Exercise in Cladistics	Cladistic Analysis (part of lab manual)
2	February 5	External Morphology, Skinning	Introduction and External Anatomy in Chapters 4, 5, 14, and 23
3	February 10	Skeletal System: Skulls	Skeleton in Chapters 4, 6, 15, and 24
4	February 12	Skeletal System: Skulls (continued) Histology	Skeleton in Chapters 4, 6, 15, and 24
5	February 17	Skeletal System: Postcranium	Skeleton in Chapters 4, 6, 15, and 24
6	February 19	Skinning (continued), Superficial Muscles	Musculature in Chapters 4, 7, 16, and 25
7	February 24	Superficial Muscles (continued) Deep Muscles Lab Quiz 1 (cladistics, external morphology, histology, skeletal system)	Musculature in Chapters 4, 7, 16, and 25
8	February 26	Deep Muscles (continued)	Musculature in Chapters 4, 7, 16, and 25
9	March 3	Digestive System	Digestive system in Chapters 4, 9, 18, and 26
10	March 5	Respiratory System	Respiratory system in Chapters 4, 9, 18, and 27
11	March 10	Respiratory System (continued)	Respiratory system in Chapters 4, 9, 18, and 27
12	March 12	Circulatory System: Heart and Arterial System Lab Quiz 2 (muscular system, digestive system, and respiratory system)	Circulatory system in Chapters 4, 11, 20, and 29
13	March 17	Circulatory System (continued)	Circulatory system in Chapters 4, 11, 20, and 29
14	March 19	Circulatory System (continued)	Circulatory system in Chapters 4, 11, 20, and 29
	March 24 & 26	NO LAB: SPRING BREAK
	March 31	LAB EXAM #1
15	April 2	Circulatory System: Venous System	Circulatory system in Chapters 4, 11, 20, and 29
16	April 7	Circulatory System (continued)	Circulatory system in Chapters 4, 11, 20, and 29
17	April 9	Circulatory System (continued)	Circulatory system in Chapters 4, 11, 20, and 29
18	April 14	Urinary and Reproductive Systems Lab Quiz 3 (circulatory system)	Urinary and Reproductive Systems in Chapters 4, 10, 19, and 28
19	April 16	Urinary and Reproductive Systems (continued)	Urinary and Reproductive Systems in Chapters 4, 10, 19, and 28
20	April 21	Nervous System	Nervous system in Chapters 4, 12, 21, and 30
21	April 23	Nervous System (continued)	Nervous system in Chapters 4, 12, 21, and 30
22	April 28	Sensory System	Sensory system in Chapters 4, 12, 21, and 30
23	April 30	Lab Quiz 4 (urinary & reproductive systems, nervous system, and sensory system) Review for Lab Exam 2
	May 5	LAB EXAM #2

Grading Scale:

Percentage	Grade
100-92	A
91-87	AB
86-82	B
81-77	BC
76-72	C
71-67	CD
66-60	D
<60	F

Marking Scheme for 308:

Lecture: Lecture Exam #1 Lecture Exam #2 Lecture Exam #3 Lecture Exam #4	14% 14% 14% 14%
Lab: Summaries of Scientific Papers Lab Practical Exam #1 Lab Practical Exam #2 Quizzes Essay Outline Essay Draft Essay Final Total	4% 8% 8% 9% 2% 3% 10% 100%

Lecture: Lecture Exam #1 Lecture Exam #2 Lecture Exam #3 Lecture Exam #4	14% 14% 14% 14%
Lab: Dissection Manual Lab Practical Exam #1 Lab Practical Exam #2 Essay Outline Essay Draft Essay Final Total	8% 8% 8% 2% 5% 13% 100%

Lecture Exams (56% of your total course grade):
Lecture Exams 1-4 will consist of a short answer questions and essay questions. Each lecture exam is scheduled during a regular lecture period and will take no more time than allotted normally for a lecture.

Dissection Manual (8% of your total course grade) :
You will dissect a different vertebrate than those dissected by undergraduates. In addition to this dissection, you are required to put together a lab dissection manual of the vertebrate. This manual will consisat of fully labeled drawings of external and internal anatomy. At the beginning of the manual will be a concise outline (maximum 6 pages double-spaced) of the natural history and taxonomy of the species of vertebrate dissected.

Lab Practical Exams (16% of your total course grade):
Lab practical exams 1 and 2 will follow the format of a “bell-ringer” test where you will be asked to identify labeled structures and answer fill-in-the-blank questions within a time limit. As the term “practical” suggests, the goal of the lab practical exams is to test your ability to identify those structures that you learned in lab and your understanding of their form and function based upon your observations of materials in front of you. Each lab practical exam is scheduled during a regular lab period.
Important Note - The second lab practical exam will not be comprehensive and will include only material learned since the first lab exam.

Essay (20% of your total course grade):
You will be required to write a short essay on a topic in comparative anatomy. A separate handout has been prepared to discuss the essay.

Policy for Lecture and Lab Practical Exams and Lab Quizzes:
All exams and quizzes will be conducted during a scheduled lecture or lab time. Please note the dates as shown in each timetable and be certain to attend these times. Each lab quiz will be given during the first 15 minutes of the lab. If you are late, then you will not be allowed to write a make-up quiz.

The only valid reasons for missing a quiz or exam (that will be acceptable for a make-up exam) are:
1. Illness. A valid doctor’s note will be required. This note must be on official stationary with the name, address and phone number of the doctor (photocopies will not be acceptable). It must state clearly that you were unable to attend the lecture/lab exam on the date of the exam and have the doctor’s signature. Once the validity of the note has been verified, you will be allowed to write a make-up exam.
2. Death in the family. Documentation such as a letter from the funeral home or hospital will be required.
3. An officially approved absence from the university. In the case of a sporting event, a signed letter from your coach is required and must be received by Dr. Dilkes at least 7 days prior to the exam.

It is the student’s responsibility to contact Dr. Dilkes within 72 hours of missing an exam. A student can make up a missed lab only with signed permission from Dr. Dilkes.

Important Note on Make-up Exams:
Please be aware that a make-up exam will not be the same as the regularly scheduled exam and can, at the discretion of Dr. Dilkes, consist of only essay questions. It is strongly recommended that you make every effort to attend each scheduled exam. If you miss a make-up exam, then you will receive a grade of zero for that exam.

Changing of Grades in Exams or Quizzes:
Clerical Error – If you discover an addition error on your exam or quiz, then return it immediately to Dr. Dilkes for correction.
Corrections in Grading – Regrading of an exam will only be considered if a written explanation of the problem accompanies the exam. Any lecture notes or text readings that support regrading must be included with the explanatory note. I will only discuss possible regrading in my office and not during a lecture or lab period. Please note that regrading of an exam will not necessarily result in additional marks. The exam grade may increase, decrease or stay the same.

Check Out These Amazing Web Sites! Many are Comparative Anatomy, but several include other topics.
Phylogeny of Vertebrates
The Tree of Life Web Project - an excellent web site!
Introduction to the Vertebrates - University of California Museum of Paleontology

Fossil Vertebrates
Palaeos: The Vertebrates

Cladistics
What is Cladistics?
Journey into Phylogenetic Systematics
Cladistics: Identifying Branching Points in Evolutionary Pathways

Taxonomy
Curiosities of Biological Nomenclature
ITIS - Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Patuxent Bird Identification Info Center by Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
BIRDNET The Ornithological Information Source by the Ornithological Council

Embryology
Amphibian Embryology Tutorial at University of Wisconsin Madison

Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Virtual Pig Dissection
Fish Dissection
Rat Dissection
The Sheep Brain Dissection Guide
Net Frog
Video Dissection Guide for Cat & Shark by the University of Alberta Zoology 225
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Online by the University of British Columbia
Animal Skull Collection
The Articulation Page - How to Construct a Posed Skeleton
Cat Anatomy Tutorial by Kenyon College
Comparative Vertebrate Atlas Index by Murray State University
Avian Biology by Prof. Gary Ritchison of Eastern Kentucky University
Animation of Bird Lungs at San Diego State University College of Sciences (requires Shockwave plugin)
Animation of Respiration in the Frog at Thames Valley School District

Different Groups of Vertebrates
Introduction to the Petromyzontiformes (Lampreys) at the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Introduction to the Myxini (Hagfishes) at the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Gnathostomata. Jawed Vertebrates at the Tree of Life Web Project
Introduction to the Chondrichthyes at the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Fascinating Facts About Fish at Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Bony Fishes - Class Osteichthyes at SeaWorld
The Fish Out of Time - Information on the coelacanth
Introduction to the Tetrapoda at the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Introduction to the Amphibia at the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Amphibia Web at the University of California Berkeley
Frog Morphology and Physiology Tutorials at Cornell University
Living Amphibians at the Tree of Life Web Project
Amniota - Mammals & Reptiles at the Tree of Life Web Project
Temporal Fenestration and the Classification of Amniotes at the Tree of Life Web Project
Reptiles - The EMBL Reptile Database
The Reptiles (except turtles) at the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Introduction to the Aves (The Birds) at the University of California Museum of Paleontology
UCMP Hall of Mammals
Marsupial Mammals at the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Monotremes - Egg-Laying Mammals at the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Placental Mammals at the University of California Museum of Paleontology

I Know That I Don't Need to Say This...

Academic Misconduct

A university is a community of individuals who have come to together to instruct and learn. Of the many academic and personal goals to be achieved at university, included is the ability to think independently and creatively, hone your written and oral skills for the communication of your ideas and grow as an individual with confidence in your abilities. For the university, it strives continually to improve its ability to instruct effectively and instill in each of its students the self-confidence, skills and knowledge to be successful. Academic misconduct such as cheating and plagiarism harms both the student and university by defeating these goals. A student who cheats fails to acquire the skills, knowledge and self-confidence needed for success, and the university will acquire an undesired reputation. Elimination of cheating and plagiarism is the responsibility of both the university and each student.

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is committed to a standard of academic integrity for all students. The system guidelines state: "Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others' academic endeavors." (UWS 14.01,Wisconsin Administrative Code).

Students are subject to disciplinary action for academic misconduct, which is defined in UWS 14.03, Wisconsin Administrative Code. Students on the UW Oshkosh campus have been suspended from the University for academic misconduct.

Students are encouraged to review the procedures related to violations of academic honesty as outlined in Chapter UWS 14, Wisconsin Administrative Code. The system guidelines and local procedures are printed in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Student Discipline Code 2003-2004 and can be found on the Dean of Students website at www.uwosh.edu/dean/conduct.htm.

Specific questions regarding the provisions in Chapter UMW 14 (and institutional procedures approved to implement Chapter UMS 14) should be directed to the Dean of Students Office.

Below are the details of UWS 14.03.
UWS 14.03 Academic misconduct subject to disciplinary action.
(1) Academic misconduct is an act in which a student:
(a) Seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization or citation;
(b) Uses unauthorized materials or fabricated data in any academic exercise;
(c) Forges or falsifies academic documents or records;
(d) Intentionally impedes or damages the academic work of others;
(e) Engages in conduct aimed at making false representation of a student's academic performance; or
(f) Assists other students in any of these acts.

(2) Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to: cheating on an examination; collaborating with others in work to be presented, contrary to the stated rules of the course; submitting a paper or assignment as one's own work when a part or all of the a paper or assignment as one's own work when a part or all of the paper or assignment is the work of another; submitting a paper or assignment that contains ideas or research of others without appropriately identifying the sources of those ideas; stealing examinations or course materials; submitting, if contrary to the rules of a course, work previously presented in another course; tampering with the laboratory experiment or computer program of another student; knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above, including assistance in an arrangement whereby any work, classroom performance, examination or other activity is submitted or performed by a person other than the student under whose name the work is submitted or performed.

Cheating will not be tolerated in BIO 308/508. No aids of any type will be allowed during a lecture exam, a lab practical exam or a lab quiz. Every answer that you submit for grading must reflect your own knowledge and thoughts. Any instance of academic misconduct may result in an academic penalty such as a failing grade on the exam or quiz, a failure in the course or possible expulsion from the university.