Department: Science
Discipline: Biology & Environmental
Subject Code: BIOL
Course #: 202
Course Title: Vertebrate Zoology
HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FORM 335
Course Form 335 must be updated at least every five years per AP 765 to include, at
a minimum, the following elements. [§335.2]
1.
Digital Description:
Credit hours:
Lecture hours:
Lab hours:
4.0
3.0
3.0
Approved Online/Blended Face-to-Face Instruction Ratios:
[__] 25/75% [__] 33/67% [X] 50/50% [__] 67/33% [__] 75/25%
(Note: The first number indicates the percentage of online instruction. The second number indicates the percentage of
in-class instruction.)
2.
Maximum Enrollment (Insert new/revised maximum enrollments below):
In-Class Instruction: 36
Lab Instruction: 24
(It is assumed that maximum enrollments for blended courses are the same as those identified for In-Class instruction.
Maximum enrollments for Virtual Learning courses are to be 75% of In-Class instruction, as per the SGP on Maximum
Class Size):
3.
Catalog Description:
A phylogenetic study of the structural, functional and behavioral adaptations of
the vertebrates: fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals.
Minimum Grade Required
4.
Prerequisites: BIOL 102
Corequisites:
BIOL 102
Other: Or, permission of the Instructor.
5.
Learning Outcomes
[These outcomes are necessary to enable students to attain the essential
knowledge and skills embodied in the program’s educational objectives.]
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
 Describe the physiology of jawless fish
 List at least five taxonomic groups of aquatic vertebrates
 Describe six adaptations of vertebrates for aquatic environments
 Differentiate between ectotherms and endotherms
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Department: Science
Discipline: Biology & Environmental
Subject Code: BIOL
Course #: 202
Course Title: Vertebrate Zoology
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6.
Label diagrams of representative amphibians and reptiles
Describe the origins of tetrapods
Describe the ecology of birds
List at least three chordate traits
Illustrate the life cycles of at least three mammals to include monotremes,
placentals and marsupials
Discuss the diversity of terrestrial mammals
Planned Sequence of Learning Activities
[These must be designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes.]
Vertebrate diversity, function and evolution
The diversity, classification and evolution of vertebrates
Early vertebrates: Jawless vertebrates
Aquatic vertebrates
Living in water
Radiation of the Chondrichthyes
Dominating life in water
Terrestrial ectotherms: amphibians, turtles, lepidosaurs
Origin and radiation of tetrapods
Salamanders Anurans and Caecilians
Turtles
Squamata
Ectothermy
Birds and mammals
The evolution of birds
The ecology and behavior of birds
The synapsida and the evolution of mammals
Mammalian characteristics and diversity
Endothermy
Ecology and behavior of mammals
7.
Assessment of Student Learning
[Methods of assessment should be appropriate for Learning Outcomes listed
above.]
Written exams, dissection practicums, and lab quizzes.
Assessment of student learning outcomes for the course, as required by the Shared
Governance Policy – Assessing Institutional Effectiveness, is part of regular
curriculum maintenance and/or improvement. The specific plan has been
determined by the pertinent faculty involved and is maintained in the College’s
assessment management system.
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Department: Science
Discipline: Biology & Environmental
Subject Code: BIOL
Course #: 202
Course Title: Vertebrate Zoology
8.
List of Texts, References, Selected Library Resources or other Learning
Materials (code each item based on instructional use): C-Lecture/Laboratory,
A-Lecture, B-Laboratory, LC-Lecture/Clinical, CLN-Clinical, I-Online,
BL-Blended, D-Independent Study, P-Private Lessons, E-Internship,
F-Cooperative Work-Study, FE-Field Experience. [These resources must be easily
accessible to students.]
C: Pough, F.H. and Heiser, J.B., Vertebrate Life, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, latest
edition.
B:Kardong and Zalisko, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (lab manual)., latest
edition.
9.
Prepared by Faculty Member: Dee Walter Kruleski
Date: 11/02/09
10.
Approved by Department Chairperson: R.C. Hairston
Date: 4/26/10
11.
Approved by Academic Division Dean: Juliette Winterer
Date: 5/14/10
This course meets all reimbursement requirements of Chapter 335,
subchapters A / B.
This course was developed, approved, and offered in accordance with the
policies, standards, guidelines, and practices established by the College. It is
consistent with the college mission.
If the course described here is a transfer course, it is comparable to similar
courses generally accepted for transfer to accredited four-year colleges and
universities.
12.
Director, Curriculum Compliance: Catherine A. Lencioni
Date: 5/17/10
13.
Provost & VP, Academic Affairs: Ronald R. Young
Date: 5/17/10
14.
Original Date of course approval by the college: 196820
15.
Date(s) of subsequent reviews [Indicate change: Learning Outcomes;
textbook(s)]: May 2003
8/20/14 – Insert approved max enrollment numbers
06/01/15 – Added new blended ratio format - nb
12/1/04
Review and updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09
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