Invertebrate Zoology – ZOOL 415/415G
Spring 2013
Instructor
Dr. Ken McCravy
Office: 348 Waggoner Hall
Office Hours: 11-12 Mon, 3-5 Tue, 1-2 Wed
Phone: (309) 298-2160
Fax: (309) 298-2270
Email: KW-McCravy@wiu.edu
Text (Optional)
Pechenik, J.A. 2010. Biology of the Invertebrates, 6th ed. McGraw Hill.
Course Goals
Invertebrates comprise over 98% of animal species on earth, and have enormous ecological, economic, and
medical importance. All biologists should have a working knowledge of invertebrates. This course is designed
to introduce students to the classification, structure, evolution, ecology, and importance of invertebrate
groups. After completing the course, students should have:
1. An understanding of general invertebrate classification and evolution
2. Familiarity with general anatomical structure and function in the various invertebrate groups
3. The ability to identify invertebrates to an appropriate level
4. An understanding of the natural history and ecology of invertebrates
5. Knowledge and appreciation of the economic and medical importance of invertebrates
Prerequisites
ZOOL 200
Testing and Grading
2 lecture exams @ 100 points each
2 lab exams @ 100 pts. each
12 quizzes @ 20 pts. each (two lowest dropped)
Presentation
Written Paper
Presentation evaluations
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS
Undergrads
200
200
200
100
50
750
Grad Students
200
200
200
50
50
50
750
Final grades will be based on the following scale:
Undergraduates
Graduate Students
690 and above = A
690 and above = A
666 – 689 = A615 – 689 = B
642 – 665 = B+
540 – 614 = C
618 – 641 = B
465 – 539 = D
594 – 617 = BBelow 465 = F
570 – 593 = C+
546 – 569 = C
522 – 545 = C498 – 521 = D+
474 – 497 = D
450 – 473 = DBelow 450 = F
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Lecture exams will consist of a combination of objective and short writing questions. Lab exams will involve
identification of specimens and structures as well as questions about the biology of the organisms. Tentative
exam dates are given in the schedule of class topics. Quizzes will generally be similar in format to lecture
exams, except shorter. No makeup or other “special arrangement” exams or quizzes are given. The policy
regarding missed exams and quizzes is as follows:
-A missed exam is recorded as a zero unless excused. I will determine if an excuse is acceptable.
-A missed exam that is excused will be replaced by the quiz average (using percent scale).
-No more than one missed exam can be excused. Subsequent missed exams will be assigned a zero,
regardless of the reason.
- A missed quiz will be treated as a dropped grade, so any quizzes missed in excess of two will be assigned a
zero.
The presentation will be on a topic in invertebrate zoology of interest to the student, and should be approved
by me. It will be a 20 minute Powerpoint presentation. Each presentation will be evaluated by your peers.
These evaluations will be worth a total of 50 pts. Graduate students are also required to submit a written
paper on their presentation topic. Further information will be provided.
Americans With Disabilities Act/Disability Resource Center
“In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic accommodations
may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for an accommodation. For the instructor
to provide the proper accommodation(s) you must obtain documentation of the need for an accommodation
through Disability Resource Center (DRC) and provide it to the instructor. It is imperative that you take the
initiative to bring such needs to the instructor's attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to inquire about
such particular needs of students. Students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e.
fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an
emergency. Contact Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 298-2512 for additional services.”
Western Online Website
There is a Western Online website for ZOOL 415. To access it, go to http://westernonline.wiu.edu, type in
your ECOM username and password, and click LOGIN. Once you have logged in, click on the ZOOL 415
course link. The site will contain the syllabus, grades, handouts, and so forth. See me if you have questions
or problems, or contact the UCSS helpdesk at ucss@wiu.edu or (309) 298-2704.
Other Information
The following are links to University policies on Student Rights and Responsibilities, Academic Integrity, Grade
Appeals, and Final Exams. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with this information. Each student
should access and carefully read this information. If you have questions about any of the information, feel
free to ask.
Student Rights and Responsibilities: http://www.wiu.edu/provost/students.php
Academic Integrity: http://wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php
Grade Appeals: http://www.wiu.edu/policies/gradeapp.php
Final Exams: http://www.wiu.edu/policies/finexam.php
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Tentative Lecture Schedule (Mon and Wed, 8-8:50 am, Waggoner 336)
Date
Topic
Text
1/14
1/16
Introduction to Course
Environmental Considerations; Invertebrate Classification
Ch. 1, 2
1/21
1/23
NO CLASS – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Protozoans
Ch. 3
1/28
1/30
Poriferans and Placozoans; Hydrostatic Skeleton
Cnidarians and Ctenophores
Ch. 4, 5
Ch. 6, 7
2/4
2/6
Platyhelminthes; Mesozoans
Rotifers and Acanthocephalans; Nemertines
Ch. 8, 9
Ch. 10, 11
2/11
2/13
Molluscs
Molluscs (cont.)
Ch. 12
Ch. 12
2/18
2/20
Annelids
Annelids (cont.)
Ch. 13
Ch. 13
2/25
2/27
Lecture Catch-up/Exam Review
Lecture Exam #1 (through Annelids)
3/4
3/6
Invertebrate Video
Lab Exam Review
3/11-3/15
NO CLASS – Have a nice break!
3/18
3/20
Arthropods
Arthropods (cont.)
Ch. 14
Ch. 14
3/25
3/27
Arthropods (cont.) and Arthropod Relatives
Nematodes
Ch. 14, 15
Ch. 16
4/1
4/3
Nematodes (cont.) and Nematode Relatives
Miscellaneous Phyla, Lophophorates
Ch. 16, 17
Ch. 18, 19
4/8
4/10
Echinoderms
Echinoderms (cont.), Hemichordates, Xenoturbellids, Nonvert. Chord.
Ch. 20
Ch. 20, 21, 22, 23
4/15
4/17
Lecture Catch-up
Lab Exam Review
4/22
4/24
Exam Review
Lecture Exam #2 (through Nonvertebrate Chordates)
4/29
5/1
Invertebrate Video
Student Presentations
5/6, 8 am
Student Presentations
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Tentative Lab Schedule (Thursday, 8-9:50 am & 10-11:50, Waggoner 349)
Date
Topic
1/17
No Lab
1/24
Introduction to Invertebrate Groups; Protozoans
1/31
Poriferans, Cnidarians, Ctenophores
2/7
Platyhelminthes, Rotifers, Acanthocephalans, Nemertines
2/14
Molluscs
2/21
Molluscs (cont.) and Annelids
2/28
Annelids (cont.)
3/7
Lab Exam #1 (through Annelids)
3/11-3/15
NO CLASS – Have a nice break!
3/21
Arthropods
3/28
Arthropods (cont.), Arthropod Relatives, Nematodes
4/4
Nematodes (cont.), Lophophorates
4/11
Echinoderms, Hemichordates, Nonvertebrate Chordates
4/18
Lab Exam #2 (through Echinoderms, Hemichordates, Nonvertebrate Chordates)
4/25
Student Presentations
5/2
Student Presentations
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