The lecture will emphasize the evolution, taxonomy, structure, and natural history of the vertebrates. A variety of activities will be undertaken in the laboratory and in the field as we study vertebrate identification, comparative anatomy, and behavioral ecology. Field trips will be an integral part of this course as we investigate vertebrates and their habitats in South Carolina. An extended field trip will be taken to Lake Mattamuskeet and Pea Island in North Carolina. This course will focus on avian evolution, structure and function, taxonomy, and behavior.
Emphasis is placed upon the uniqueness of birds in relation to their environment.
The laboratory will focus on the field identification of birds in various habitats. An extended field trip will be taken to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Students will investigate the functional anatomy and control mechanisms affiliated with the various organs of the human body. Cell structure and tissue specificity will be integrated with the function of these cells in their respective organ systems. Laboratory work will involve experiments designed and performed by the students.