FISH/BIOL 5380/6380 General Ichthyology
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/fish//ichthyology-new/classes/fish6380/index.php
Fall 2012
Week
Lecture topic
Chapter
13 Aug.
27 Aug.
3 Sept.
Introduction, morphology
1, 3-4
Systematics, diversity
2
Diversity
11-15
No lecture 3 Sept. - Labor Day Holiday
Mountain trip 8-9 September
NO LAB
morphology
world fishes
NO LAB
10 Sept.
17 Sept.
24 Sept.
Diversity
Diversity
Diversity
world fishes
world fishes
world fishes
lab quiz 1, TBA
1Oct.
Diversity, zoogeography
16
Lab topic
world fishes
lecture test 1 through 1 Oct. material, 5 Oct.
8 Oct.
Zoogeography , genetics
17
world fishes
13-14 Oct. Coastal Field Trip
15 Oct.
Physiology
5-7
world fishes
22 Oct.
Alabama fishes
1-5 Fishes of AL
local fishes;field
lab quiz 2 TBA
29 Oct.
5 Nov.
Reproduction
9, 21
Ecology
18-20
lecture test 2 through 2 Nov. material, 4 Nov.
Behavior
22, 25
thanksgiving break
Life history, conservation
10,26
12 Nov.
19 Nov.
26 Nov.
Final lecture exam Thursday 6 Dec. 8:00-10:30 am
local fishes;field
local fishes, field
local fishes, field
Lab final
Course syllabus
Prerequisites:
Animal biology or equivalent, including knowledge of
evolutionary biology
Instructor: Dr. Carol Johnston, cjohnsto@acesag.auburn.edu; office hours by
appointment, 101 Fish Biodiversity Lab, S. College St.
GTAs : Malory Hayes, mzh0031@tigermail.auburn.edu; Jeff Zeyl, zeylj@uwindsor.ca
NOTE: We will periodically communicate with you via e-mail
Textbooks: Required: The diversity of fishes, Helfman, et al. 2009, second edition
Fishes of Alabama, Boschung and Mayden 2004
Optional: Field guide to freshwater fishes, Page and Burr, second edition
2011
Fishes of the World, 4th ed., Nelson, 2006
Grading:
Lecture exams
100 pts. Ea = 200 pts.
Final lecture exam
200 pts.
Lab quizes
50 pts. Ea. = 100 pts.
Lab final
100 pts.
Lab reports, 10 pts. Ea.
50 pts.
Grade scale: 90% = A; 80% = B; 70% = C; 60% = D; <60% = F
Attendance: lecture and lab attendance is expected; and you will not be able to pass the
class without coming prepared for, and participating in lab. See AU policies for excused
absences
(https://sites.auburn.edu/admin/universitypolicies/Policies/PolicyonClassAttendance.pdf);
all require appropriate documentation. There will be no make up exams (lecture)
without a written excuse of absence from the dean appropriate to your degree.
There are no make up exams for lab, and no make-up lab periods.
Persons needing special assistance due to disability need to coordinate with the instructor
during the first week of class.
Overnight field trips: Twp overnight field trips are offered in this course. Moderate costs
are associated with this field experience. This opportunity is not mandatory, but is
encouraged for students genuinely interested in seeing fishes in habitats that cannot be
reached during the time span of regular lab periods. Underage drinking will not be
tolerated on Auburn University field trips. Persons exhibiting inappropriate behavior will
be asked to leave at their own expense.
Pop quizzes may be given during overnight field trips, lab or lecture periods at my
discretion.
Protocol for use of vertebrate animals: this course is covered by an Auburn University
Animal Protocol. This course requires the sacrifice of living fishes for your education,
please take this seriously and make the most of the opportunity to examine specimens for
your education.