BIOL243 Vertebrate Anatomy (3,3)        4 A detailed study of the origin, phylogeny and anatomy of the vertebrates. Laboratories emphasize the thorough dissection of representatives of at least three classes of vertebrates. Prerequisite: BIOL132 and sophomore standing. The study of vertebrate anatomy provides insights into the evolution, ecology, and physiology of these animals.  Consequently, there are different ways to approach this discipline.  You can view each animal as a simple collection of parts to be found, identified and memorized.  Alternatively, you can study the anatomy of these animals to provide a foundation for elucidating their ecological and physiological abilities and limits.  Finally, you can compare similarities and differences between species to shed light on evolutionary processes. I combine these approaches in this course.  In lecture I emphasize the phylogeny of major physiological systems.  An overview of each system is presented followed by a discussion of how the elements of the system have been modified via natural selection.  These discussions focus on selective pressures that may have impacted the evolution of the various vertebrate taxa. In the lab, we focus on the more technical aspects of finding  and recognizing components of the skeletal, muscular, digestive, reproductive, respiratory, and circulatory systems.  The comparative approach of lecture is maintained by examining each system in different specimens concurrently. Although this course does present a lot of information and terminology, this is not a conceptually difficult discipline.  In my experience, those students who put quality time into their studies will not only be successful, but will enjoy the learning process as well. updated 2/12/2010