BIOSCI 381 – INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY – KNIPES I-08-09
Lecture – MWF 10:30 – 11:20 am, Manter 427
Lab – W 3:30- 6:20 pm, Manter 427

Instructors : Lecture – Alaine Knipes,426 Manter Hall, University of Nebraska- Lincoln, email: lainey244@yahoo.com
Lab – Sarah Bailey, 426 Manter Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln email: sbbailey@alltel.net
Textbook: Brusca and Brusca, Invertebrates, 2nd edition. 2003

Fall 2008 Syllabus:

Approach: The objective of this course is to increase your exposure to and understanding of the immense diversity of invertebrate organisms. In order to accomplish this we will: (1) cover the major taxonomic groups, from tiny protists to large arthropods and molluscs; (2) explore the primary literature; and (3) encounter as many different invertebrate organisms as possible in nature and in the laboratory.
The lab for this course is designed around the central idea that “the handling and study of live material is a truly important educational experience”. Therefore lab will consist of local field trips to collect aquatic invertebrates, an exercise with a living kelp holdfast shipment from Baja California, and trips to the Morrill Hall Museum and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.

Learning outcomes: By the end of the semester, you should be able to do the following:

a. Recognize the major animal phyla and classes, name them using the proper noun taxonomic names, and tell their phylum and class characters.
b. Explain the invertebrate portion of a food web in a local pond.
c. Dissect a series of representative invertebrates from the common phyla and classes and correctly identify the major anatomical features.
d. Use dichotomous keys to identify various invertebrates to lower taxonomic levels such as family and genus.
e. Use the primary literature in invertebrate zoology and explain this literature to an audience of peers.

Text: Brusca & Brusca, Invertebrates, 2nd Ed., Sinauer & Associates, 2003.

Materials: A 3-ringed binder and a fine-lead pencil. We also are planning some field trips, so if you have waders or shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting a little wet, that would be great; it not, don’t worry about it.

Grading policy: The grading policy in this class allows you a great deal of flexibility in building your grade and hopefully encourages you to do independent work. My approach to grading is to make the testing part of the course as painless as possible, to give you credit for actually doing certain kinds of work that I know will teach you about invertebrates, and to let you select some things from the vast amount of material available. Your final grade will be based on the following items:

a. Attendance : I will keep track of attendance with a sign-in sheet; attendance is worth 10% of your grade. Every Friday beginning with the first week we will have a quiz at the start of the period. These quizzes are short answer (five questions, each answered with complete sentences) and should take no more than 15 minutes. Quiz average is 25% of your grade.

b. Presentations : After the quiz on Friday, one or more students will make presentations of papers from the primary (journal) literature. You should expect to do two of these presentations during the semester and get class feedback on each of the. If you do your two presentations as outlined below, then I will give you full credit for that 25% of your grade. Here is how to do the presentation: PRESENTATIONS.

d. Lab : Work from lab is worth 40% of your letter grade. Lab grades are based on a notebook, a weekly quiz (probably video or practical) beginning with the second week, two lab practical exams, and attendance.

Notebooks consist of the work as indicated below for each lab. In some cases there will be field notes and follow-up library work, at other times there will be drawings, and for some of the field trips we have a specific set of observations to make and problems for you to do. Notebooks will be checked and graded regularly (TA will give you the schedule). The quizzes will be based on the previous week's lab. I will give you extra consideration at the end of the semester for especially well done lab work. Bring your textbook to lab. We will also take a field trip to the Omaha zoo. This trip will take place on a Sunday morning, probably in late October, and this field trip will take the place of one of the Wednesday labs.

***There is no need to buy a loose-leaf notebook binder unless you just want a new one; I already have several that are available from other classes.***

Office Hours : You may call me at any time. I will open up the lab for you and you are free to use the lab provided an instructor is nearby.

ADA information: Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the instructor for a confidential discussion of their individual needs for academic accommodation. It is the policy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to provide flexible and individualized accommodation to students with documented disabilities that may affect their ability to fully participate in course activities or meet course requirements. To receive accommodation services, students must be registered with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office, 132 Canfield Administration, 472-3787 voice or TTY.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Alaine Knipes : PhD Candidate : School of Biological Sciences : University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE 68588
Phone: (402) 472-2754 email