-          Learn the distinguishing characteristics of the 12 animal phyla representing synapomorphies that identify these major clades.

-          Understand the evolutionary position of each phylum on the phylogeny of major animal phyla collectively.

-          Learn basic anatomy and morphology of each major animal phylum.

-          Learn specifics of physiological processes such as feeding, reproduction, locomotion, and osmoregulation in each animal group covered.

-          Examine various animal life cycles and learn about ecological relationships of animals.

-          Learn about homeostasis and temperature regulation in animals.

-          Comparatively examine the structure and function of various cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems and their interrelationships in different groups of animals that were studied. The following systems will be addressed: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, excretory, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive. 

Class Requirements:  This class contains both a lecture and separate lab component to it. You must be registered in both the lecture and the separate lab and attend both.

 Lecture Exams:  There will be four, equally-weighted major exams (including the final exam) that will each be worth 17.5% of your overall grade for the class.  The final exam will NOT be comprehensive but will cover all of the material since the previous exam.  Lecture exams will all be a multiple choice testing format. Make-up exams will be administered ONLY FOR EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES OR UNIVERSITY-AUTHORIZED ABSENCES. You MUST present a valid university excuse to me and/or make arrangements with me BEFORE an exam is missed in order to be able to make up a missed lecture exam.  If a make-up exam is granted, it should be taken immediately (i.e. before exam results are revealed to the class).  DO NOT MISS AN EXAM!!!!  Academic honesty must be practiced at all times.

Course Grading:  The following is a breakdown of your final course grade:

Test #1                     =17.5%                                                                              

Test #2                     =17.5%                                                                              

Test #3                     =17.5%                                                                             

 Final Exam              =17.5%                                                                              

Lecture Grade total  =70%                  +              Lab Grade  =30%       =  Total Course Grade 100%

The grading scale used to determine your letter grade for the course is as follows:

                                           A             =              90-100%

B             =              80-89%

C             =              70-79%

D             =              60-69%

F              =              below 60%

Class Attendance: Your attendance will be documented. You are expected to attend all classes unless you have a University-excused absence. A lot of material is presented in each class period, which makes it easy to fall behind if a class is missed. If you miss a class, it is YOUR responsibility to get class notes from classmates or any handouts from your instructor. Students with excessive absences may be dropped from the course. Students should refer to the current MSU Handbook and Activities Calendar for university policy on academic dishonesty, class attendance, student rights and activities. For example, see page 27 for information on class attendance policy and page 4 for the student honor creed.

Make-up exams will be administered ONLY FOR EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES OR UNIVERSITY-AUTHORIZED ABSENCES. You MUST present a valid university excuse to me and/or make arrangements with me BEFORE an exam is missed in order to be able to make up a missed lecture exam.  If a make-up exam is granted, it should be taken immediately (i.e. before exam results are revealed to the class).  DO NOT MISS AN EXAM!!!!  Academic honesty must be practiced at all times.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.