Vertebrate Biology

This course covers the evolution and comparative anatomy of cephalochordates, urochordates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The comparative anatomy of major organ systems among fishes, amphibians, birds, and mammals will be studied in the lab via dissection of representative organisms. The lab will emphasize the relationship between structure and function of vertebrate organisms while the lecture will focus on current controversies and discoveries in the scientific study of vertebrate evolution.