
BIOLOGY 4429 -MAMMALOGY
Fall 2007
schedule

Antilocapra americana the totem of the American Society of
Mammalogists
photograph © 2000 by Dr. Allan H. Chaney
Dr. Jon A. Baskin
Office: Kleberg Engineering 116 -- Telephone: 361 593-3580 -- e-mail: kfjab02 <at> tamuk,edu
Baskin's home page: http://users.tamuk.edu/kfjab02/
DOWNLOAD a Word version of the syllabus
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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 mammalogy
Course description:
Classification, distribution, life histories, economic importance, techniques of
field study, method of collection, and preservation of mammals.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with
the identification, systematics, life history, and adaptive strategies of the Mammalia and
to expose them to field techniques used in their study. For further information about
course objectives, click here.
Required Text
Recommended Texts
Grading: Your grade will be determined in the following manner:
- Exam 1 ............................ 100 points
- Exam 2 ............................ 100 points
- Exam 3 ............................ 100 points
- Final Exam ....................... 200 points
- Lab Midterm .................... 100 points
- Lab Final .......................... 100 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 2006-2008 catalog. The last day to drop the course with an automatic grade of Q is November 15. After November 15, 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 December 3. It is up to you to take care of all the necessary paperwork.
Lecture Exams: The THREE 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 three exams will be over material covered during the exam period. The final lecture exam is COMPREHENSIVE, giving you the opportunity to synthesize various topics covered during the semester. Here are my old examinations. This year, there may be 30-50 points of multiple choice questions on the midterm examinations.
Exam 1. Fall 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Exam 2. Fall 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Exam 3. Fall 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Laboratory Grade: The laboratory grade is based on the lab midterm and final.
MAKE UP POLICY There will be NO make-ups for missed lecture or laboratory exams. 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. If you miss one lecture examination, the percent score on the final will be substituted for the missed test. You will receive a zero for any additional missed exams. 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. BONUS: If you take all three lecture exams, you may substitute your lowest grade with the final exam grade, if the final exam grade is better.
FIELD TRIPS field trips are planned. See the Laboratory Schedule.
OTHER 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.
FIELD TRIP
October 27-28: Southmost Nature Conservancy and Brownsville Zoo: a Saturday and Sunday fieldtrip
Tentative Lecture Schedule
Topic |
Feldhamer: Chapter, [Pages] |
|
Systematics |
3 |
|
August 27 |
4: [44, 52], 5: [60-68] |
|
Sept 5 |
The Mammals |
[164-167] |
10 |
Eutherians Insectivora Eimer's organs Afrosoricida Fossorial Adaptations Feeding in Terrestrial Insectivores |
|
17 |
Xenarthra myrmecophagy folivory reproduction Pholidota EXAM 1 |
[238-243] |
Sept 24 |
Dermoptera |
[197-198] |
Oct 1 |
Scandentia Primates feeding |
[126-127] |
8 |
Carnivora |
15 |
15 |
Afrotheria |
|
22 |
UNGULATES: Perissodactyla
EXAM 2 |
[312-317]
|
|
29 |
UNGULATES: Artiodactyla | |
November 5 |
Artiodactyla
|
[317-328] |
Nov 12 |
16 |
|
19 |
Rodentia: Classification Thanksgiving |
|
26 |
Rodentia EXAM 3 |
[280-296] |
December 3 |
[296-298] |
|
Dec 11 |
FINAL EXAMINATION 8:00 am |
Tentative Laboratory Schedule
Week of |
Topic |
Pages |
August 27 |
Skull and Skeleton download a Word copy |
M1: 6-1, 36-40. |
September 3 |
LABOR DAY |
|
Sept 10 |
Dentition: download a Word copy of today's lab and the terminology of teeth handout: word adobe and the feeding/locomotor adaptations handout: word adobe Field Notes |
M:
13-20. M: 188-199. |
17 |
Orders & Families:
monotremes, marsupials: |
M:
61-77. |
24 |
Orders & Families:
insectivorans, dermopterans, chiropterans, edentates, pholidotes, lagomorphs. Download a Word copy |
M: 78-93,
103-108, 135-137. |
October 1 |
Orders & Families:
tupaiids, primates,
carnivorans. Download a Word copy |
M: 94-102,
109-120. |
8 |
Orders & Families:
ungulates, afrotheres. |
M: 121-134. |
Oct 15 |
LAB EXAM 1 |
|
22 |
Texas Mammals: opossums, armadillos, bats, insectivores, rabbits |
DS2: 15-94. |
29 |
Data analysis |
M:
261-279 ; |
Nov 5 |
Texas Mammals: carnivorans and ungulates |
DS: 211-295 |
Nov 12 |
Orders & Families:
rodents. |
M:
138-161. |
19 |
DS: 95-210 |
|
26 |
DS: 95-210 |
|
Dec 3 |
LAB EXAM 2 |
|
1
Martin, Pine, DeBlase2
Davis and SchmidlyBIOLOGY 4429 FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE
Site 55: Live trapping of rodents. We will be doing population estimates using he Lincoln-Peterson Method for capture/recapture. Traps will be set out Friday or Saturday evening and collected Saturday or Sunday Morning. TENTATIVE DATES: will be announced in class.
October 27-28: Southmost Nature Conservancy and Brownsville Zoo: a Saturday and Sunday fieldtrip
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