BIOL 455 - Vertebrate Biology

Units: 4
Biology, evolution, diversity, and natural history of vertebrate species. Labs involve identification of anatomical and physiological features and taxonomy of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, with focus on species found in the San Francisco Bay Area. Lecture Units: 2; Lab Units: 2

Prerequisites: BIOL 140B.
Equivalent Quarter Course: BIOL 4583.
Possible Instructional Methods: Entirely On-ground.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

describe the significance of vertebrates to the biological world;
discuss the placement of vertebrates within animal and biological diversity;
provide a basic taxonomic classification for vertebrate animals, from domain down to order or family, depending on the group;
discuss major anatomical, behavioral, ecological, physiological and developmental features differentiating members of the major vertebrate groups; taxonomically identify and specify key features on preserved vertebrate specimens;
describe how the natural diversity of vertebrates is shaped by their ecology;
discuss the evolutionary origins and diversity of vertebrates.

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