BIOL 1144-101 Class Syllabus*
General Zoology
DATE
August
TOPIC
CHAPTER
Organization/Introduction; Life: Science of
Zoology and Evolution of Animal Diversity
1
29
Life: Science of Zoology and
Evolution of Animal Diversity
1
31
Life: Science of Zoology and
Evolution of Animal Diversity
1
September
3
LABOR DAY
Holiday
5
Life: Science of Zoology and
Evolution of Animal Diversity
1
7
Animal Architecture
3
10
Animal Architecture
3
12
Animal Architecture
3
14
Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Animals
4
17
Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Animals
4
19
Protozoan Groups
5
21
Protozoan Groups
5
24
Protozoan Groups
5
26
TEST #1
1, 3, 4, 5
28
Sponges
6
October
1
Radiate Animals
7
3
Radiate Animals
7
5
Acoelomate Bilateral Animals
8
8
Acoelomate Bilateral Animals
8
10
Acoelomate Bilateral Animals
8
12
Molluscs
10
15
Molluscs
10
17
TEST #2
6-8,10
19
Annelids
11
22
Annelids
11
24
Nematodes
12
26
Nematodes
12
29
Nematodes
12
31
Arthropods
13
November
2
Arthropods
13
5
Arthropods
13
7
Arthropods
13
9
Echinoderms
14
12
Echinoderms
14
14
TEST #3
11-14
16
Chordates
15
19
Fishes
16
21-23
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
Enjoy some turkey!
26
Fishes
16
28
Early Tetrapods and Modern Amphibians
17
30
Reptilian Groups
18
December
3
Reptilian Groups
18
5
Birds
19
7
Mammals
20
10
FINAL EXAM 10:30-12:30PM (Monday)
15-20
*Class syllabus is tentative and subject to change throughout the semester (including test dates).
27
Lecture Text: Animal Diversity, 6th Edition, by Cleveland P. Hickman, Jr., Larry S. Roberts, Susan L. Keen, Allan
Larson, and David J. Eisenhour, 2012.
Class Requirements: This class contains both a lecture and separate lab component to it. You must be
registered in both the lecture and the separate lab and attend both.
Class Attendance: You are expected to attend all classes. A lot of material is presented in each class period,
which makes it easy to fall behind if a class is missed. If you miss a class, it is YOUR responsibility to get class
notes from classmates or handouts from your instructor. Students with excessive absences usually result in
failure of the course. Students should refer to the current MSU Handbook and Activities Calendar for university
policy on academic dishonesty, class attendance, student rights and activities. For example, see page 37 for
information on class attendance policy and page 4 for the student honor creed.
Lecture Exams: There will be four, equally-weighted major exams (including the final exam) that will each be
worth 18.75% of your overall grade for the class. The final exam will NOT be comprehensive but will cover all
of the material since the previous exam. Lecture exams will all be a multiple choice testing format. Make-up
exams will be administered ONLY FOR EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES OR UNIVERSITYAUTHORIZED ABSENCES. You MUST present a valid university excuse to me and/or make arrangements
with me BEFORE an exam is missed in order to be able to make up a missed lecture exam. If a make-up exam
is granted, it should be taken immediately (i.e. before exams are passed back to the class). DO NOT MISS AN
EXAM!!!! Academic honesty must be practiced at all times.
Course Grading: The following is a breakdown of your final course grade:
Test #1
=18.75%
Test #2
=18.75%
Test #3
=18.75%
Final Exam
=18.75%
Lecture Grade total =75%
+
Lab Grade =25%
= Total Course Grade 100%
The grading scale used to determine your letter grade for the course is as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
=
=
=
=
=
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
below 60%
Aids for Success: MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR TEXTBOOK! Most of the material for exams will be
derived from the textbook and notes. Read the chapter(s) assigned for each class period. Lectures should
correspond to the chapters indicated on your syllabus. Take thorough lecture notes to make sure you get material
covered in lecture that is not in the text. Additional resources to help you in understanding material that is
covered in class and also help you prepare for tests are available to you at the publisher’s website,
www.mhhe.com/hickmanad6e . These resources are free. Once you are logged into the website, click on
“Student Edition” or directly click on individual numbered chapters to open up practice quizzes for that chapter.
**ALL PHONES OR PAGERS SHOULD BE OFF IN THE CLASSROOM**
***Students with disabilities must be registered with Disability Support Services before
classroom accommodations can be provided.
Writing Proficiency Requirement
All students seeking a Bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing
proficiency requirement once they’ve earned 60 hours. You may do so by passing either the Writing
Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you’ve earned over 90 hours, you
lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour
course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at
http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.