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Mammal Phylogeny (BiSc 226)
Instructor: Allard
Number of Credits: 3
Level of instruction: graduate and advanced undergraduates
Description:
This is a review of mammalian diversity for beginning graduate
students with an interest in Mammalian evolution. The course will include an
introduction to all of the families of the Mammalia. Mammalian diversity will be
explored in a phylogenetic framework to examine the evolution of this fascinating
group. This class is designed to give students an appreciation for the diversity
within the Mammalia. Students will be taught the detailed natural history and
identification of mammals. Furthermore, many of the interesting evolutionary
adaptations of the order will be explored (e.g. evolution of eusociality, evolution of
flight). The field trips are to the National Museum of Natural History and to the
National Zoological Park.
How often is the course offered: Fall Semester during odd years.
What is the average enrollment: This is a new course currently under development
and has not yet been taught; we anticipate an enrollment of 8-10 students each
year.
How broad a student audience is served by the course: This is a new course and has
not yet been taught; we anticipate an enrollment of graduate students from GWU
(Departments of Biology, Genetics, and Anthropology) and Howard (Anatomy
Department).
Lecture Syllabus
Week 1
What is a Mammal?
Week 2
Mammalian Ancestors
Week 3
Monotremata, Marsupalia, and Eutheria
Week 4
Insectivores
Week 5
Chiroptera, Dermoptera, Scandentia
Week 6
Primates
Week 7
Edentata, Lagomorpha, Pholidota, Macroscelidea
Week 8
Carnivora
Week 9
Rodentia
Week 10
Cetacea, Subungulates
Week 11
Ungulates
Week 12
Mammalian Behavior, Reproduction, Nutrition and digestion
Week 13
Sensory systems, metabolism, locomotion
Week 14
Conservation biology
Week 15
Biogeography
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