BIOLOGY 3408 - ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
Fall 2007
schedule

Dr. Jon A. Baskin

Office: Kleberg Engineering 116 -- Telephone: 361 593-3580 -- e-mail: kfjab02 @ tamuk.edu
Baskin's home page:  http://users.tamuk.edu/kfjab02/

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• OFFICE HOURS:  2-4 W-F, 9-11 T-Th, or by appointment. University duties, such as committee meetings, may prevent me from being in my office. I will also usually be available in the laboratory (KLBH 120) 2-6 M afternoon.  If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to me before or after class or phone me at the office for an appointment.
  
• THE INTERNET: You should visit this website regularly for further information, outlines, handouts, and links to other sites of interest.  Here are a few of the more important INTERNET Resources for Animal Physiology.
  
• COURSE DESCRIPTION:  A study of the fundamental process of the animal systems. Prerequisites: 12 semester hours of Biology and 6 semester hours of Chemistry.
  
• OBJECTIVES:  This course provides students with an understanding of how animals adapt physiologically to environmental challenges and addresses the basic physical and chemical principles that underlie physiological processes. Several biological systems are considered, including respiratory, circulatory, digestive and metabolic, thermoregulatory, osmoregulatory, renal, nervous, musculoskeletal, neural, hormonal, and sensory. The weekly laboratory session will complement the lecture, mainly by providing hands-on experience in observation, data collection, measurement, and problem-solving skills.
  
• Required Text
• Principles of Animal Physiology.  Christopher D. Moyes and Patricia M. Schulte.  Publisher: Benjamin Cummings.  2006
• Companion Web Site contains self study quizzes.
• Laboratory Text:  Dr. Pledger will supply the laboratory material.
• Thanks to the internet, you have a variety of options to consider when it comes to buying a textbook.  Here are a few sources

Grading: Your grade will be determined in the following manner:

Exam 1 ............................  100 points

Exam 2 ............................  100 points
Exam 3 ............................  100 points
Exam 4 ............................  100 points
Comprehensive Final ........   *

Laboratory ......................  150 points

Total                                   550 points

Please keep all of your tests and assignments, in case there is a question concerning your grade in the course. Grades will be awarded according to the regulations on page 58 of the 2004-2006 catalog. The last day to drop the course with an automatic grade of Q is October 31. After October 31, you must talk to me before dropping the course. The last day to drop the course with a Q if you have a passing grade is November 28. It is up to you to take care of all the necessary paperwork.

Lecture Exams: The FOUR lecture exams and the FINAL exam will cover notes given in class and pertinent information from the textbook. Some notes will come from sources other than the text. The examinations will consist mainly of short answer questions, definitions, characterizations, lists, and annotated classifications.   The first four exams will be over material covered during the exam period.  The fourth exam will be given during finals week. 

* The final exam is COMPREHENSIVE, giving you the opportunity to synthesize various topics covered during the semester.  It will mainly cover material from the first three tests.  If you miss one of the first three exams, the make-up will be the comprehensive final. The final can replace no more than one exam.  If you have taken all four exams, the comprehensive final is optional and it will replace your lowest grade on the first three tests.

Laboratory grade: The 150 points will consist of the two laboratory exams (50 points each), plus quizzes and/or assignments as determined by Dr. Pledger. Points will be deducted for each laboratory that is missed. 

MAKE UP POLICY There will be NO make-ups for missed lecture exams resulting from unexcused absences. It takes a significant amount of time to set up a lab practical and we are only willing to do it one time per exam. In the case of crises and emergencies (that you can document and that are considered a valid excuse by your instructor), talk to me (or phone me) before the exam and more flexible arrangements can be scheduled for lecture exams. 

OTHER: There is no policy of required attendance. However, it is unlikely that you will earn an acceptable grade if you do not attend class regularly. Attendance will be considered in the final grade, especially in borderline cases. Attendance alone does not guarantee a passing grade. It is important that you take complete and comprehensive notes of the lecture material. It is also essential that you study regularly. Reading the material in the textbook beforehand will help you better understand the lecture material. Shortly after each lecture you should reread and/or rewrite your notes and read the material in the textbook to make sure that you correctly took the notes and fully understand the material that was covered. 

Talking or other disruptive behavior during lecture will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes giving, receiving, or using unauthorized aid on any academic work. This includes a person who has taken a test discussing what was on a test with a person who has not taken the test. Any student guilty of cheating or plagiarism will receive a grade of F. 

Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class, should notify the Services for Students with Disabilities Office early in the semester so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

 Tentative Lecture Schedule 2007

  Tentative Lab Schedule

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