BIOL 3326

Vertebrate Desgn: Evol & Func

Lec 01 selected

Vertebrate Design explores 600 million years of vertebrate evolution and phylogenetic relationships, with particular attention to origins of major groups and the anatomical and functional innovations associated with their rise and diversification. Functional morphology and physiology of swimming, flying and terrestrial locomotion is also covered.

Sections

Lecture

From the syllabus

From the Fall 2026 syllabus by C. Isabelle Aubé. Open the PDF

Grading

4%Participation quizzes (10)best 80% kept
15%Midterm Test 1Oct 7; Weeks 1–4
15%Midterm Test 2Nov 4; Weeks 5–8
30%Final examcumulative; scheduled during exam period
0%Assignment 1a: Fossil Species SelectionSep 18; no marks
5%Assignment 1b: Initial Literature ReviewSep 25
10%Assignment 2: Infographic/Museum BrochureOct 23
15%Assignment 3: Final ProjectNov 27
6%Assignment 4: Peer EvaluationDec 4

Textbooks

  • Vertebrate Life, F. Harvey Pough, Warren E. Bemis, Brooke McGuire, and Christine M. Janis (optional, free)
  • Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution, Kenneth V. Kardong (optional, free)

Course rules

Late work
Two Student Declaration of Absence forms allow extensions of up to 72 hours; otherwise assignments lose 10% per day.
Missed quizzes
No absence form is accepted for missed quizzes; contact the instructor after missing three or more.
Missed tests
No absence form is accepted; an approved missed midterm is added to the cumulative final, with no midterm makeup.
Missed final
A makeup final may be scheduled case by case.
Generative AI
Generative AI is prohibited for assignments and must not be given course materials.
Online help tools
Online assignment-help tools such as Chegg are prohibited for assignments.
Assignments
Submit assignments online through Brightspace by 11:59 pm Halifax time on the due date.

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