Office Hours: 
Before February 27th: 10:-12:00 M, W, F; 1:00-2:00 M, W; 9:00-10:00 TU; 8:00-9:00 F.
After February 27th: 9:00-11:00 M, W, F; 1:00-2:00 M, W; 9:00-10:00 TU; 8:00-9:00 F.
Students should sign up for appointments a day in advance to meet the instructor during these hours.  A sign up sheet will be posted on the office door.

Class Time: 2:00-4:50 pm, M,W.
Class Location: 203 MSCX
Office:  210K McCall Hall.
Telephone: (334) 670-3938.
E mail:adiamond@troy.edu

Course Description and Objectives: The basics of vertebrate identification, with emphasis on phylogeny, anatomy, morphology, life histories, habitats, distributions, and conservation. 

Course Learning Objectives: Students will learn the taxonomy, characteristics for identification, and habitats of local vertebrates.

Desired Competency: Students will be able to identify and describe local vertebrates.

Method of Instruction: Lectures will be delivered through the use of power-point presentations, the chalk board, models, live material and other means. This is primarily a field zoology course. Weekly field trips will emphasize material covered in lecture.

Text:  None required, but field guides such as the Audubon Society or Peterson Field Guide series are strongly suggested.

Course Evaluation: Student Collection 400 points. Three lecture exams, 100 points each, Final exam, 100 points. 800 points possible.  A=90%, B=80%, C=70%, D=60%, F=<60%.
Pop exams may be given at any time.  The total of all possible pop exam points will be added to the total possible points in the class. Make-up exams will not be given without a doctor’s or university excuse.
 

Course Content and Schedule

Calendar:
January 2009

7		Classes Begin
7		First Payment Due
12		Last Day to Withdraw from the University without Owing Full Tuition. (Note: All withdrawals must be conducted in person. No Web Express Withdrawals)
12		Last Day to Drop a Course in Person Without Financial Penalty
12		Last Day to Add a Course in Person by 4:30 p.m.
12		Last Day to Drop/Add a Course Without Financial Penalty on Web Express only
19		Holiday – Martin Luther King, Jr., day (No Classes)

February 2009

2

Second Payment Due

March 2009

5		Third Payment Due
6		Last Day to File Intent to Graduate August 2009
9-15		Spring Break
23		Last Day to Withdraw from the University Without Academic Penalty (Note: All Withdrawals must be conducted in person. No Web Express Withdrawals.)
23		Last Day to Drop a Course in Person Without Academic Penalty
23		Last Day to Drop a Course Without Academic Penalty on Web Express only

April 2009

28		Classes End
29		Dead Day
29		Last day to Drop or Withdraw from a Course or the University with Academic and Financial Penalty
30		Last day for Instructors to Remove Incomplete Grades from Previous Semester
30		Examinations Begin

May 2009

1		Last day for Instructors to Remove Incomplete Grades from Previous Semester
4		Final Exam: 8:00-10:00
6		Make-up Examinations
6		Examinations End
6		Graduation Candidates' Grades Due in Records by 5:00 p.m.
6		Last day of Spring Semester
7		All Grades Due in University Records by 9:00 a.m.
8		Commencement

Course Policies:
 1) Attendance. Class attendance and participation are expected. Roll will be taken for attendance records.  Students are expected to be in class on time (official U.S. time).

2) Exams. Lecture exams given during the semester will be closed book exams. Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic equipment must be turned off  and out of sight during an exam.  You may not leave the room for any reason during an exam. When the end of the exam period is announced, you are expected to put down your pens and turn in the exam or it will not be accepted. 

3) Makeup exams. No makeup work will be allowed without a valid excuse. Bonus quizzes may be given at the discretion of the instructor; there will be no make ups for these quizzes. Anyone who misses a test or quiz must provide a university acceptable excuse before a make-up will be scheduled.  Excuses must be provided in writing and will be kept by the instructor. Excuses must be provided within one week of returning to classes. University policy does not allow early examinations.

4) Exam material. Lecture questions will be drawn from information given to the student in lecture or assigned readings.

5) Troy University ADA statement:  Troy University supports Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which insure that postsecondary students with disabilities have equal access to all academic programs, physical access to all buildings, facilities and events, and are not discriminated against on the basis of disability.  Eligible students with appropriate documentation, will be provided equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic skills and potential through the provision of academic adaptations and reasonable accommodations.  Further information, including appropriate contact information, can be found at the link for Troy University's Office of Human Resources at http://www.troy.edu/humanresources/ADAPolicy2003.htm .

6) Additional Services. Students who have or may be dealing with a disability or learning difficulty should speak with the instructor, contact  the Office of Adaptive Needs Program (215 Adams Center), or call 670-3220/3221.Various accommodations are available through the Adaptive Needs Program.

7) Tutors. Tutorial help may be available to students in the Science Learning Center. All interested students are encouraged to visit the center.

8) Cheating. Students observed cheating by the instructor will be dismissed from class.  The action to be taken against the student will be determined after consultation with the Department head and other appropriate individuals.

9) Incompletes. Will be given only in special circumstances. See Bulletin for guidelines.

12) Teaching certificate. All students seeking a recommendation for a teaching certificate must complete this course with an earned grade of “C” or better.

13) Cell Phones and other electronic devices. Use of any electronic device by students in the instructional environment is prohibited unless explicitly approved on a case-by-case basis by the instructor of record or by the Office of Disability Services in collaboration with the instructor.  Cellular phones, pagers, and other communication devices may be used for emergencies, however, but sending or receiving non-emergency messages is forbidden by the University.  Particularly, use of a communication device to violate the Troy University "Standards of Conduct" will result in appropriate disciplinary action (See the Oracle).

This syllabus is subject to change without notice. Students will be informed of any changes at the earliest possible date.