MAMMALOGY

UVM Biology 217

Fall 2004

SYLLABUS

Lecture (92632 Lec Z1) Mon & Wed 3:35 - 4:50 pm (Marsh 107)

Labs: Lab Section I (92644 Lab Z2): Mon 05:05 - 07:50 (Marsh 202)

Lab Section II (92645 Lab Z3): Wed 05:05 - 07:50 (Marsh 202)

Instructor: Jan Decher, PhD 

Office hours: Mon/Wed 2:00-3:00 pm

Friday 10-12 am (Marsh 302)

Phone: 656-0705 (shared voice mail line)

e-mail: Jan.Decher@uvm.edu

Teaching Assistant: Ryan Norris

Office hours: by appointment
(Marsh Life Science 305)

Phone: 656-0705

e-mail: rnorris@uvm.edu


Student Performance Objective:

After completing this course each student should be able to:

1. Discuss general mammalian biology and have sufficient background to become a

    specialist in any single aspect of mammalogy after additional study.

2. Discuss mammalian evolution and zoogeography, at least in broad brush terms.

3. Recognize, identify, and know something about the natural history of all mammals at

    the familial level, North American mammals at the generic level and New

    England mammals at the specific level.

4. Discuss mammalian distributions at the levels in 3 above.

Grading:
Grades are based on total performance with 400 points possible for the lecture part, 150 for the project, and 450 in the laboratory. Of the total of 1000 points 920 (92%) are expected for an A, 830 (83%) for a B, 700 (70%) for a C, and 600 (60%) for a D. Points may be earned as shown on back.

 

Lecture (400 points)

10 Reading Quizzes

(on relevant textbook chapters & one journal article per week) 100 points*

MIDTERM I October 4 100 points*

MIDTERM II November 15 100 points*

FINAL December 8 100 points

* Lowest points, either one of the Midterms or the Reading Quizzes, can later be eliminated.


Annotated Bibliography 100 points

Proposal due: September 15 (25 points)

Paper due: December 1 (75 points)


Projects - choose one (1) option 150 points

Option 1: Field Trip Study: Montreal Redpath Museum & Biodôme

(Field trip is mandatory for all. There will be a $ 12-15 charge for the Montreal trip).

        Data Collection/Field Journal (50 points)

Research Report (100 points)


Option 2: Specimen Preparation (lab) and one Overnight Field Trip

            Field Journal (75 points)

            Field Catalog (50 points)

Minimum of 3 prepared museum specimens (75 points)

Option 3: Mammalian Behavior Project - squirrel feeder, large mammal

observation, tracking etc.

            Data Collection & Field Journal (50 points)

Research Report (150 points)

Project Papers due: December 6


Laboratory (450 points)

Laboratory Quizzes (10 @ 10 pts. each) 100 points

Laboratory Reports (3 @ 50 points each) 150 points

Laboratory Final:

New England Mammals     Date/Time: TBD  100 points

Mammals of the World      Date/Time: TBD   100 points