BIOLOGY 4429 -MAMMALOGY
Fall 2009
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/

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OFFICE HOURS:    9-11:30 M, W, F; 9:30-10:30 T, Th, or by appointment. University duties, such as committee meetings, may prevent me from being in my office. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to me before or after class or phone or email 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

• Feldhamer, G. A., L. C. Drickamer, S. H. Vessey, J. F. Merritt, and C. Krajewski. 2007. Mammalogy: adaptation, diversity, and ecology. 3rd edition. Johns Hopkins University Press

Recommended Texts

• Schmidly, D. J. 2004.  The Mammals of Texas. University of Texas Press.
• Martin, R. E., Pine, R., and DeBlase, A. F.  2000. A Manual of Mammalogy, 3nd edition.
• Davis, W. B. and D. J. Schmidly.1994. The Mammals of Texas. [out of print]
  • The Mammals of Texas - Online Edition
• Elbroch,  M. 2006. Animal Skulls: A Guide to North American Species
• Kays, R. W. and Wilson, D. E.  2002.  Mammals of North America. Princeton University Press. 
• Jones, J. K., Jr. and R. W. Manning. 1992. Illustrated key to skulls of genera of North American mammals. Texas Tech University Press, iv + 75 pp.
• Lawlor, T.E. 1979. Handbook to the orders and families of living mammals. Mad River Press, Eureka, CA
• Feldhamer, G. A., L. C. Drickamer, S. H. Vessey, and J. F. Merritt. 2004. Mammalogy: adaptation, diversity, and ecology. 2nd edition.  McGraw-Hill, New York, 576 pp.
• Vaughan, T. A., J. M. Ryan, and N. J. Czaplewski. 2000. Mammalogy. 4th edition Harcourt, Fort Worth, 566 pp.
• Wilson, D. E. and D. M. Reeder (eds.). 2005. Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed),  Johns Hopkins University Press, 2,142 pp.
  •  on line edition
•  
• Thanks to the internet, you have a variety of options to consider when it comes to buying a textbook. 

More References on Mammals

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 ....................   75 points

Lab Final ..........................   75 points

                             Total                                    650 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 62 of the 2008-2010 catalog. The last day to drop the course with an automatic grade of Q is October 29. After October 29, 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 7. It is up to you to take care of all the necessary paperwork.  Before dropping a course you should consult tamuk.edu/registrar/drop_policy/  

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 multiple choice and 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  2007  2008

Exam 2.    Fall 1996  1998   1999   2000  2001 2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008

Exam 3.    Fall 1996  1998   1999   2000 2001 2002   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008

Laboratory Grade: The laboratory grade is based on the lab midterm and final.

Lab Safety:    You are required to complete the current version of on-line safety training.  You will not be allowed into laboratory until you have completed the training.  Follow the attached the instructions to access Blackboard.

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 optional.  Before participating, you are required to sign the waivers of liability and complete the exercise demonstrating that you are aware of and accept the potential dangers associated with this sort of activity

October 24-25: Southmost Nature Conservancy and Brownsville Zoo: a Saturday and Sunday fieldtrip

Site 55: Live trapping of rodents. Traps will be set out Friday evening and collected Saturday morning.  TENTATIVE DATES: 3 dates will be announced in class.
    September  ,
    October

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.

Sexual harassment policy

 6 drop policy