About this class: This is a laboratory class that will introduce you to some of the research strategies and methods of animal physiology. The general approach will be to first learn an experimental preparation and then to design experiments using that preparation. You will be encouraged to explore areas of interest in detail and to approach questions using your own strategies. The schedule below is tentative; if there is interest in pursuing one area more fully, then we can modify the schedule accordingly.

Grading:

• Lab notebook: 35%
• You will be required to maintain a hardbound laboratory notebook (available in the textbook section of the bookstore). Notebooks will be handed in to be graded after a particular lab module is completed. Note that the notebook grade is a substantial portion of your class grade, this is reasonable as your notebook should reflect everything that you accomplish in this class. For each experiment you perform, you should include:
• the date and time and place
• the purpose of the experiment
• the protocol used - you may refer to the lab handout, but describe exactly what you did (it will differ) - draw pictures if needed.
• the data as it is collected
• analysis and calculations
• display of the data in tables, graphs, figures, pictures
• a summary of the findings, problems, suggestions for future work.
• Your notebook should also include all other notes you take relevant to the class including notes on papers we read, on short pre-lab lectures, or on brainstorming sessions with your partner. I expect that much of your lab notebook will be produced in class and your grade will be improved by creating a detailed notebook in class.
• Data reports:  35%
• Data reports should be written in the form of a scientific paper results section, with appropriate figures and tables.  See the online Biology 9 syllabus http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Biology/courses/biol09/framepapers.htm to be reminded about the proper form of a results section.  Apply appropriate statistics where applicable.
• Your work will be graded both on the quality of the presentation and on the quality of the experimental design.  You will not be graded on how closely your work replicates the expected result.
• Weekly oral presentations: 20%
• Almost every week, we will convene an informal "lab meeting".  We will discuss the assigned reading, present results from the last week's experiments, and think about future experimental design.
• Please come prepared to contribute to these discussions.
• Your grade for this portion will be based on how well prepared you are for these discussions and how willing you are to participate.
• Lab performance: 10%

Safety: You are responsible for your own safety during laboratory classes. The most important safety rule is to think before acting. Wear protective devices whenever needed including eye protection, lab coats, and gloves. If you have a question about a safety issue, stop the experiment and ask the instructor.

Laboratory practice: You are responsible for the equipment you use. Please leave the equipment in the same (or better!) condition than you found it. Clean all glassware and instruments thoroughly.

Attendance:Attendance is mandatory and you will receive a zero for any lab period that is missed. Laboratory exercises can not be made up. If you know that you will miss more than one Thursday afternoon lab session (i.e. because of sporting events), see me as soon as possible.

Academic honesty: This class will follow the official Kenyon College position on academic honesty. Click here to view the Kenyon policy. Please read my detailed policy on academic honesty. Unless specifically stated, work in this class is expected to be your own. If you work with others on an assignment where it is allowed, you must acknowledge the collaboration at the end of the assignment.

Need help?:

• If at any time, you feel that you do not have the proper background to understand the material that is being presented, please let me know.
• If you have a hidden or visible disability which may require classroom or test accommodations please see me as soon as possible during a scheduled office hour.  If you have not already done so, you must register with the Coordinator of Disability Services (Erin Salva, salvae@kenyon.edu, x5145), who is the individual responsible for coordinating accommodations and services for students with disabilities.  All information and documentation of disability is strictly confidential.  No accommodations will be granted in this course without notification from the Office of Disability Services.

WEEK 1 - Jan 17

Intro to the class.

Phylogeny.

Sponge anatomy, reaggregation experiment.

Phylogeny presentations.

Cnidarian anatomy, feeding experiments

• Platyhelminthes anatomy, learning and regeneration
• Annelid anatomy, circulation and locomotion

Morphometry - fiddler crabs

Arthropod anatomy, crustacea

Morphometry - fiddler crabs

Arthropod anatomy, crustacea

WEEK 8 - Mar 20

Echinoderm anatomy and locomotion.

Presentations from fiddler crab experiments.

Tissue localization

Arthropod anatomy, insecta

no lab

Tissue localization

Arthropod anatomy, insecta

Tissue localization

Chordates anatomy

Biomechanics

presentations from Tissue localization and Morphometry

Summary and final presentations.

Tree of life
TreeBASE
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Berkeley Drosophila Genome project
Systematics of the Metazoa - University of California