Course

Vertebrate Zoology

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Biology
Course Code
BIOL 3620
Credits
5.00
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
28
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
The course will examine the comparative morphology of vertebrate groups within an evolutionary and phylogenetic context. Topics will include an introduction to the phylogeny of the vertebrates, and a comparative study of systems for locomotion, nervous and sensory perception, respiration, circulation, digestion, thermoregulation, excretion and reproduction.
Course Content

1. OVERVIEW OF VERTEBRATE CLASSIFICATION

  • Introduction of the major vertebrate phyla and characteristics for each
  • Introduction to vertebrate phylogenetics
  • Diversity and distribution of vertebrates
  • Biological design principles linking form and function

2. NERVOUS & SENSORY SYSTEMS

  • Evolution and organization of nervous systems
  • Basic neural and sensory physiology
  • General and special sensory organs
  • Communication and social behaviour

3. PROTECTION, SUPPORT & LOCOMOTION

  • Integumentary adaptations
  • Skeletal system adaptations and types of movement (e.g. crawling; burrowing; running; swimming; jumping; flight)
  • Introduction to muscle action and basic biomechanics

4. FOOD ACQUISITION & DIGESTION

  • Vertebrate feeding mechanisms, specializations of teeth and jaws
  • Functional components of the digestive system
  • Digestion in herbivores vs. carnivores

5. RESPIRATORY & CIRCULATORY SYSTEMS

  • Comparison of various respiratory organs
  • Diffusion rates and counter-current exchange
  • Evolution of swim bladders
  • Water to land transition; aquatic vs. terrestrial respiratory mechanisms
  • Comparison of vertebrate cardiovascular systems
  • Matching heart structure and blood flow with environmental demands
  • Structure and function of the lymphatic system

6. EXCRETION

  • Comparison of vertebrate kidney structure and function
  • Comparison of modes of excretion in relation to lifestyle & habitat
  • Osmoregulation – regulating water and salt balance

7. TEMPERATURE, SEASONS & CLIMATE

  • Ectotherms and endotherms
  • Structures and mechanisms involved in thermoregulation
  • Homeostasis and acclimatization
  • Adaptations for extreme climates: adaptive heterothermy, thermogenesis and freeze-tolerance

8. REPRODUCTION & GROWTH

  • Reproductive strategies & behaviours
  • Fertilization mechanisms (internal vs. external)
  • Mechanisms and structures involved in sexual reproduction
  • Early development and comparative embryology
  • Oviparity vs viviparity and parenting behaviour
Learning Activities

Methods of instruction for this course will include some or all of the following:

  • Lectures
  • Laboratory activities
  • Group discussions
  • Readings from scientific journal articles
  • Project (e.g. research paper on a topic of current interest, poster presentations)
Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.  The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.  Evaluation will be based on the following:
 

MEANS OF ASSESSMENT             
MARKS
Projects 10-20
Laboratory assignments 10-20
In-Class Tests and Assignmentss 25-35
Final laboratory examination 10-15
Final examination 25-35
TOTAL 100
Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the succesful student will be able to:

  1. Describe the general principles of vertebrate classification and phylogeny, and characteristics of the major chordate taxa.
  2. Explain the diversity of vertebrate forms and compare and contrast the unity which exists within this diversity.
  3. Explore anatomical and physiological principles by studying form and function relationships in an evolutionary context.
  4. Describe how organisms interact with their environments and how environmental conditions modulate these interactions through adaptive mechanisms.
  5. Indicate how the scientific method is used to advance our knowledge of vertebrate anatomy and physiology.
  6. Use the general principles of biology to discuss current issues and ideas.
Textbook Materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

Articles from scientific journals

Pough and Janis, Vertebrate Life (current edition)

Kardong, Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution (current edition)

 

Requisites

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for BIOL 3620
Athabasca University (AU) AU BIOL 320 (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU BIOL 213 (4)
Coast Mountain College (CMTN) CMTN BIOL 202 (3)
College of New Caledonia (CNC) CNC BIO 2XX (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR BIOL 208 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU BIOL 3XXX (4)
Langara College (LANG) LANG BIOL 2350 (3)
Okanagan College (OC) OC BIOL 254 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU BISC 316 (4)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU BIOL 3XXX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO BIOL_O 204 (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC BIOL 3XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV BIO 306 (4)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC BIOL 307 (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC BIOL 2216 (4)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025