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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