Herpetology 5434

Class Syllabus

DAYS

Lecture: MWF 1-2 p.m.

PROFESSOR

Michael R.J. Forstner, Ph.D.

Lab: Fridays 2-5 p.m.

LAB INSTR

Jonas Rosenthal

ROOM

SCI 257

PHONE

512-245-3362

TEXT

Herpetology, 630 pages

2nd edition (May 2001) 

Academic Pr; ISBN: 012782622X

EMAIL

OFFICE

OFFICE HOURS

SCI 240

TTH 2-4pm

AUTHOR

Zug, Vitt, & Caldwell

WEBSITE

http://www.mikeforstner.com

Grading Policy and Missed Exams

• Your final lecture grade is an average of the three exams, the final examination is comprehensive with emphasis on new material. 

• There are no make up exams, if you must miss an examination make provisions with me PRIOR to the exam. 

• If you miss an exam due to medical or unforeseen emergency/difficulties then your grade on the final exam will count twice.

• Your laboratory grade is a composite from your practicals (60%), field book (30%),and 10% (participation and professionalism).

• Your final average for the course is comprised of your lecture grade (70%) and your lab grade (30%).

• Anyone suffering a poisonous snake/lizard bite during this course period will be given an F for their laboratory grade regardless of circumstance.

**Anyone requiring special assistance with disabilities, religious holidays, or university approved events please contact me immediately in order that any necessary accommodations may be made.

 

Please note that academic dishonesty is a serious offense and harsh penalties results.

Please review the Academic Honesty policy which applies to all Texas State University students.

Field Trips

Typically we will go on 4-6 field trips during the semester.  These are scheduled to coincide with the weekend of the dark of the moon each month and include both day trips and overnight to weekend long outings.  These trips comprise the data used in the assembly of your field book in lab.

Grading

 

	A	89.5 and above
	B	79.5 - 89.4
	C	69.5 - 79.4
	D	59.5 - 69.4
	F	59.4 and below

Class Syllabus

 

	DATE	LECTURE		DISCUSSION LED BY
	January
	21	Intro to course and lab
	23	Classification and taxonomy overview
	26	Biogeographic, ecological underpinnings
	28	Introduction to the amphibia
	30	Amphibia
	February
	2	Amphibia (cont.)
	4	Amphibian natural history
	6	Evolutionary history - Amphibia		Adam Ferguson
	9	Colors/Reptiles
	11	Reptilian orders - Rynchocephalia
	13	Evolutionary history -Rynchocephalia		Katherine Furtwangler
	20	Reptilian orders - Crocodilia
	23	Natural History - Crocodilia
	25	Evolutionary history - Crocodilia		Melissa Jones
	March
	1	Reptilian orders - Chelonia
	3	Natural History - Chelonia
	5	Midterm exam - through Crocodilia
	8	Reptilian orders - Chelonia evolutionary history		Nicole Burpo
	10	Conservation efforts- Chelonia
	12	Chelonia continued
	15	Spring Break
	17	Spring break
	19	Spring break
	22	Reptilian orders - Squamata-
	24	Reptilian orders - Squamata (Sauria)
	26	Squamata diversity cont.
	April
	2	Reptilian orders - Squamata (Sauria Natural History)
	5	Evolutionary history -Sauria		Angie Rainier
	7	Reptilian orders - Squamata (Serpentes)
	9	Reptilian orders - Squamata (Serpentes)
	12	Natural History - Squamata (Serpentes)
	14	Evolutionary History - Squamata (Serpentes)		Stephanie Myers
	16	Herpetological collections
	19	Ethics and voucher specimens, museums, and science		Jeffrey Troy
	21	Herpetological conservation
	23	Herpetological conservation, global status by group		John Wamsley
	26	Current amphibian research projects
	28	Current chelonian projects		Lindley Bailey
	30	Current crocodilian and Squamate work		Forstner
	May
	3	Comprehensive review
	10	Final Exam (cumulative&comprehensive) 11:30-2pm