Fall 2010
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 re-visit 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 the specimens 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.
Fall 2010
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 Peterson 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.
This notebook is an individual effort, not one to be tackled by a team.
Identical notebooks from several individuals will result in a zero.
Late notebooks will not be accepted. They are due when you finish your
final practical exam.
Fall 2010
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
_______Actinopterygii____________
FAMILY
________Gadidae________________
SCIENTIFIC
NAME
________Gadus morhua____________
COMMON
NAME
________Atlantic cod______________
SEX
_____N/A____________
NOTES__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
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Fall 2010
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
_______Actinopterygii____________
Family
________Gadidae________________
Scientific Name
________Gadus morhua___________
Common Name
________Atlantic cod______________
Sex
_____N/A____________
Notes_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Collection #
_______F-XXXX______
Phylum
_______Chordata________________
Class
_______Actinopterygii____________
Family
________Gadidae________________
Scientific Name
________Melanogrammus aeglefinus_
Common Name
________Haddock________________
Sex
_______N/A__________
Notes_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Collection #
_______F-XXXX______
Phylum
_______Chordata________________
Class
_______Actinopterygii____________
Family
________Gadidae_________________
Scientific Name
________Lota lota________________
Common Name
________Burbot__________________
Sex
_____N/A____________
Notes_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
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