CVP at WWU, Spring 2012
COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE PHYSIOLOGY, BIOL 467, CRN 22675, WWU, 2012
Lecture Section:
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Lecture Text:
Recommended Text:
In BI 234, at 1000-1120 on M W
Dr. Roger Anderson
In BI 311: M, T, W 0900-0945 open door
Principles of Animal Physiology, 3rd Ed by Hill, Wyse, & Anderson
Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, & Evolution, 3rd Ed by Kardong
Lecture Objectives:
In lecture we will
(1) investigate the physiological functions of the organ systems in each of the major vertebrate
classes, and
(2) examine the physiological responses and capacities among vertebrates that vary in such
features as food acquisition modes, habitats occupied, and activity times.
Expectations about Knowledge Background
You will be expected to understand relevant knowledge from introductory biology and introductory chemistry.
For example, it is expected that you are thoroughly familiar with the knowledge in introductory major’s texts. If you are
not confident of the relevant knowledge in the introductory major’s text, it is highly recommended that you read the
appropriate sections of relevant chapters prior to reading the lecture text for this course.
The required (& recommended) textbooks are valuable references. I assume that you peruse each topic in the text
before it is discussed in lecture. Lectures incorporate board use and will be augmented with powerpoint slides.
CVP Lecture Schedule, Spring Quarter 2012
Date
Topic
Relevant Text Chapters
March 28
Introduction & Homeostasis
Chapter 1
April
2
4
Homeostasis & Plasticity
Thermoregulation:
Chapters 1 & 4
Chapters 10 & 11
April
9
11
Thermoregulation:
Metabolism & body size
Chapters 10 & 11
Chapters 7 & 8
April
16
18
Excitable Cells
Sensory systems:
Chapters 2, 12 & 13
Chapter 14
April
23
25
Nervous regulation:
Midterm Examination
Chapter 15
April
May
30
2
Effectors, muscles:
Endocrine regulation:
Chapters 19, 20 & 21
Chapters 2 & 16
May
7
9
Circulation & Blood
Ventilation, gas exchange:
Chapters 25, 22 & 24
Chapters 23, 22 & 24
May
May
14
16
Exercise Metabolism:
Osmoregulation:
Chapter s 9, 7 & 26
Chapters 2, 3, 27 & 28
May
21
23
Excretion:
Digestion & Nutrition
Chapters 2, 3, 29 & 30
Chapters 2, 3, 5 & 6
May
30
Review
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CVP at WWU, Spring 2012
June
7
Final Exam, 10:30-12:30
Assessment and Grading
100 pts
10 pts
120 pts
10 pts
10 pts
250 pts
First exam, April 25
Hand in 1st set of expository essay exams, on exam day (4, 6, 8, or 10 pts)
Final exam,
Hand in 2nd set of expository essay exams, on exam day (4, 6, 8, or 10 pts)
Classroom participation (4, 6, 8, or 10 points)
Course Total
Grades are based upon the 5 foregoing assessment categories. Grades are based upon total number of points received in
the course. Based on records from past years, the average course grade is expected to be a middle to high B.
The approximate grading scheme is approximate, and is as follows:
A=
89-100%,
B=
77-88%,
C=
65-76%,
D=
53-64%.
Lecture exams:
The exams are difficult enough to show the edge of knowledge and understanding of the most accomplished student,
hence the slightly more generous grading scale to accommodate that difficulty. Both exams must be taken to receive a
course grade.
Preparation for exams:
You will receive a set of expository essay questions to consider as an essential study guide. Copies of the power point
slides (that are not the same as those in the textbook) used in lecture will be available on Blackboard, usually before
lecture, but always within one day after lecture. Reference Notes upon which lecture is based will also be made available
for you on Blackboard.
The focus of knowledge and understanding in the course will be introduced during our lecture-discussions. You must
take an active role in your own learning, because the two lecture exams are based largely on your answers to the
expository essay questions. You will have to refer to the text, lecture slides and lecture reference notes, and perhaps even
the recent scientific literature to develop A-quality answers. I maintain a high standard for the amount of course content,
and you must acquire and integrate supporting, contextual knowledge outside of class.
Essay exams require you to cope with the current, open-ended problems, not closed-ended problems with a single right
answer that can be rote memorized.
As you progress through you your education you develop the cognitive abilities in the following approximate order.
1) knowledge acquisition
2) knowledge comprehension (understand enough to discuss and interpret),
3) knowledge application (use knowledge in problem-solving) and
4) knowledge analysis (see interrelationships of component parts),
5) knowledge synthesis (create original ideas and perspectives from previously unlinked knowledge), and
6) knowledge evaluation (judge the process of knowledge construction and the quality of the knowledge).
At the 400-level in biology I will be asking you fundamental, conceptual and integrative questions that require you to
think analytically and synthetically (levels 4 and 5).
The exams will be expository essays of varying length. About 80% of the final exam will be on the new material since
the first exam, and 20% will be comprehensive, integrative review. There will be team graphing questions as well as
individual questions on the exam.
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CVP at WWU, Spring 2012
Makeup exams and substitute assignments are permitted only in rare, special circumstances.
Other course requirements:
You must e-mail an attached word document with your answers (each answer between one and two single-spaced
pages in length) to a minimum of ten expository essay questions prior to the lecture exam. It is expected that you will
work on the answers in small research teams, and one-half of the answers can be team answers and one-half of the
answers must be individual answers. Each team or individual answer is to be unique and not plagiarized from other
teams or individuals.
Beginning after the first mid-term, I will call on individuals (in an alphanumeric order) to comment on the day's
topic, particularly if those individuals have not seemed engaged in the class.
This course syllabus is tentative, it is not a contract. I will make changes, as necessary.
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