Course Description
Biology of Mammals Laboratory provides in-depth introduction to taxonomic and phenotypic diversity of mammals. Students will learn major concepts in cranial and postcranial anatomy of mammals. Students will learn common methods for trapping and monitoring mammals in the field. Prerequisite: BIO 301, BIO 330; Corequisite: BIO 471.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Describe major cranial and postcranial anatomy of mammals
- Identify and know the general diversity ecology of North Carolina mammal species
- Produce museum-grade study skin that will be archived with associated tissue samples in the UNCG Biodiversity Collection
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| In-class Participation (Attendance and Engaging in Discussions) | 10% |
| Lab Exercises (Worksheets) | 25% |
| In Class Quizzes | 5% |
| Study Skin and Associated Data | 10% |
| Lab Practical 1 | 20% |
| Lab Practical 2 | 20% |
| Field Trip Participation and Behavior | 10% |
Grade Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 92.00% - 100% | A |
| 90% - 91.99% | A- |
| 88.01% - 89.99% | B+ |
| 82.00% - 88% | B |
| 80% - 81.99% | B- |
| 78.01% - 79.99% | C+ |
| 72.00% - 78% | C |
| 70% - 71.99% | C- |
| 68.01% - 69.99% | D+ |
| 62.00% - 68% | D |
| 60.00% – 61.99% | D- |
| <60% | F |
Attendance/Participation:
There are no scheduled make-up times for labs. Synchronous and in-person attendance is required at all class meetings unless advised otherwise by the instructor or the university.
If you miss activities due to circumstances beyond your control, let me know before or immediately after your absence (within 1 hour of start time).
If you know ahead of time that you will miss major in-class activities, notify me in advance so that I can rearrange accordingly.
There will be a 10% late penalty per day for assignments turned in after the due date.
This course includes MANDATORY dissections of small mammal specimens. Students will be expected to participate in these dissections unless otherwise arranged with the instructor.
This course includes a MANDATORY 3-day, 2 night field trip from October 10th, 2026 to October 12th, 2026. The goal of this trip is to learn about trapping techniques of small mammals. There will be no way to make up an absence on the trip. Not attending the trip will result in a non-passing grade in the course.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
A Manual of Mammalogy: with Keys to Families of the World (Third Edition)
1-2 KN95/ N95 masks for mammal dissections
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.