Students dissect lamprey, shark, mud puppy, and cat. Emphasizes metabolism, genetics, reproduction, and ecology of bacteria and viruses and their relationship to infectious disease and immunology. Develops basic research and microbiological lab skills. Surveys evolution of plant and fungi kingdoms and algal protists. Covers plant anatomy, morphology, reproduction, and structure of plant communities.
Fieldwork teaches use of taxonomic keys to identify plants.
Lab and fieldwork required. Required lab and fieldwork use as much live material as possible, especially faunal groups from Central Florida and Florida Keys. Surveys vertebrate chordates from jawless lamprey through fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Stresses structural and functional characteristics, evolutionary relationships, ecology, behavior, and distribution. Required lab and fieldwork focus on Florida fish and wildlife.