Topics in Biology (345-0-1)

Topic

Forerunners of Mammals

Instructors

Laura Panko
847/491-8914
1908 Sheridan Road

Meeting Info

Technological Institute LG72: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

Long before the first dinosaurs, over 300 million years ago Archaeothyris inhabited swampy land in what is now Nova Scotia, Canada. Lizard-like in general body shape, the synapsid skull morphology nevertheless gives it away as a basal member of the group that gave rise to the mammals. In this class we will explore the ancient roots of Mammalia, with a particular focus on the dazzling diversity of Permian and Triassic synapsids that followed Archaeothyris

Registration Requirements

Prerequisites for Topics in Biology are BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 240-0, BIOL_SCI 203-0 or BIOL_SCI 241-0, and BIOL_SCI 234-0, or equivalent.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to: distinguish key modern and fossil synapsid taxa; recognize and understand the significance of biological traits shared by mammals; choose appropriate paleobiological methods to test hypotheses about evolutionary history and the biology of extinct taxa; explain the ecological context and geological time period in which synapsid evolutionary change occurred; identify significant dental and skeletal anatomical features of mammals and other synapsids.

Teaching Method

Lecture and discussion

Evaluation Method

Students will be evaluated based on quizzes, short assignments, one midterm, and a final exam.

Class Materials (Required)

Kemp, T.S. 2005. The Origin & Evolution of Mammals. Oxford University Press, 342 pgs. ISBN: 978-0-19-850761-1 Estimated new print book cost: $105.00. The text is also available used or e-book; please contact instructor if you have questions.

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for Biology Majors until the end of preregistration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisites and registered for any required corequisites. Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOL_SCI 202-0 or BIOL_SCI 240-0, BIOL_SCI 203-0 or BIOL_SCI 241-0, and BIOL_SCI 234-0 to register for this course.