Marine Biology Notebook
The purpose of the notebook is for the student to have available the tools necessary to excel on both
laboratory practical exams. Through preparation of this notebook, you will become familiar with the animals
on each exam and therefore have the means to do extremely well.
Since the notebook will be used on practical exams and will be graded by the instructor, it is crucial
that you spend the necessary time in compiling a complete notebook. In the past there has been some
confusion on what a complete notebook entails; hopefully this handout will clarify any questions.
During the practical exam, 25 specimens will be selected and placed in trays throughout the lab. The
student will have a minute and a half to identify each specimen and five minutes at the end of the exam to revisit any difficulties. Possible practical exam questions include:
Taxonomic phylum of the specimen
Taxonomic class of the specimen (only for INVERTEBRATES)
Taxonomic family of the specimen (only for FISHES)
Scientific name (Genus, species) of the specimen
Common Name of the specimen
Sex of the specimen (only if it can be discerned and we discussed it in class)
When answering these questions it is important that you use the taxonomic classification scheme
discussed in class and the scientific names in your field guides. Other taxonomic classifications and scientific
names (i.e. from the internet) will not be accepted.
The notebook is graded on a 100-point scale with the following breakdown:
1. Proper notebook……………………………………………………. 2.5 points
A three ringed binder must be used since you will be adding and relocating different specimens
throughout the semester.
2. Title and Name on the cover………………………………….. ……2.5 points
If we don't know whom the notebook belongs to, how can you get an A!
3. Table of Contents……………………………………………… ……20 points
The purpose of the table of contents is for convenient access to each individual specimen in the
notebook. This semester there may be over 200 different organisms. Attempting to find one out of the
many can be a difficult endeavor; this is where the table of contents is VERY important. The specimens
must be in taxonomic order in the table of contents and must include the name of EACH SPECIMEN.
4. Page Numbers………………………………………………….. …..20 points
The table of contents would be of no use if it did not include the appropriate page number for each
specimen. Page numbers should coincide with the page numbers in the table of contents.
5. Specimen Entry……………………………………………….…......20 points
This is the core of the notebook. Students will be graded on having a complete notebook (all the
required animals). Another important point is to use a uniform specimen entry format and have all
the necessary classifications for each specimen.
6. Taxonomic order………………………………………………..……20 points
Each specimen must be placed in taxonomic order. Place the fishes in the order found in your field
guide. Numerous fish in a single family do not have to be placed in any particular order. Place
invertebrates in order according to the attached handout.
7. Specimen sketches/pictures………………………………………….10 points
Sketches are necessary to help solidify identifications during the exam and when studying. The
sketches used in the notebook may be images obtained from the Internet or hand drawings. Either
method is equally acceptable.
8. General appearance……………………………………………….…….5 points
Notebooks should be neat and free from miscellaneous stains or blemishes.
On the following pages I have attached some templates that are acceptable. You may choose any one of
these templates for your notebook.
Template 1:
Each page has ONE organism with all the necessary information and any addition information that you
deem necessary.
COLLECTION #
_______F-XXXX______
PHYLUM
_______Chordata________________
CLASS
_______Osteichthyes____________
FAMILY
________Gadidae________________
SCIENTIFIC
NAME
________Gadus morhua____________
COMMON
NAME
________Atlantic cod______________
SEX
_____N/A____________
NOTES__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Template 2:
Each page has more than one organism with all the necessary information and any addition
information that you deem necessary. Please do not put more than 4 specimens on one page.
Collection #
_______F-XXXX______
Phylum
_______Chordata________________
Class
_______Osteichthyes____________
Family
________Gadidae________________
Scientific Name
________Gadus morhua___________
Common Name
________Atlantic cod______________
Sex
_____N/A____________
Notes_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Collection #
_______F-XXXX______
Phylum
_______Chordata________________
Class
_______Osteichthyes _____________
Family
________Gadidae________________
Scientific Name
________Melanogrammus aeglefinus_
Common Name
________Haddock________________
Sex
_______N/A__________
Notes_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Collection #
_______F-XXXX______
Phylum
_______Chordata________________
Class
_______ Osteichthyes ____________
Family
________Gadidae_________________
Scientific Name
________Lota lota________________
Common Name
________Burbot__________________
Sex
_____N/A____________
Notes_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
This notebook is an individual effort, not one to be tackled by a team.
Extremely similar notebooks (format, pictures) from several individuals will result in failure
from the course.
Late notebooks will not be accepted. They are due at 1100 on the following day:
SECTION
Alpha
Bravo
Charlie
DATE
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015
Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015