Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Marine and Environmental Science: Course Syllabus (Fall 2016)
I. COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE
FALL 2016
MBIO 3700
Section: DA2
CRN: 20505
Please check Course Wizard for lecture and lab classroom assignments.
II. INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Paul Arena
(954) 262-8335
[email protected]
Office: Parker 244 2nd Floor
III. COURSE DESCRIPTION
MBIO 3700 Biology of Fishes/Lab (4 credits) This is an introduction to the major groups of fishes
such as jawless, cartilaginous and bony fishes. Topics will include the diversity of extant fishes
from various aquatic habitats, with emphasis on local species, the anatomy, physiology, behavior,
ecology and evolution of fishes, and fisheries conservation and enhancement practices.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1510
IV. LEARNING OUTCOMES
To complete this course successfully students must:
1. Describe the taxonomic classification, fundamental behavior and ecology of fishes.
2. Identify various anatomical structures, in addition to describing their functions as well
as a range of physiological processes commonly observed in fishes.
3. Compare and contrast the impacts caused by commercial versus recreational fisheries on
local and global fish populations, as well as conservation practices and restoration
techniques used today.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in a variety of fish collection techniques.
5. Perform proper preservation and identification techniques for adult and larval fishes in
field and laboratory settings.
V. REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
TEXTBOOK:
Helfman et al. 2009. The Diversity of Fishes. Wiley Publishers. ISBN: 1405124946
FIELD GUIDES:
Ray, C., Robins, R., Douglass, J. and R. Peterson 1999. A Field Guide to Atlantic Coast Fishes:
North America (Peterson Field Guides). Houghton Mifflin, 354p. ISBN: 0395975158
Humann & DeLoach 2011. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean and Bahamas (Travel
edition). New World Publications ISBN: 1878348450
VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES
a. Students are expected to attend all lectures, labs, and exams. Absence from class
will adversely affect your grade since you will not be present to hand in
assignments and you will miss course material. There will be no make up
quizzes or laboratories unless exceptional conditions occur. In the case of a truly
exceptional condition, PRIOR permission from your professor is required.
b. Contact your professor as soon as possible if you have an emergency that is
causing you to miss a lab, test or quiz, or you may be unable to make up the
missed work. Expect to provide documentation of your emergency.
c. All assignments are due at the beginning of the class indicated in either lecture
or laboratory sessions. LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
except under approved emergency circumstances.
d. Partners in the lab can only share the data they jointly produce, but each student
needs to complete the lab report, including data analysis and report writing,
independently and individually. Producing the lab report in any joint effort or
fashion by lab partners will be considered plagiarism.
VII. COURSE SCHEDULE AND TOPIC OUTLINE
Lecture Topics
Week
Date
Topic
1
8/22-26 Introduction/Course Overview & What is a fish?
Reading
Assignment
Chapter 1-2
2
8/29-9/2 Skeletal Anatomy
Chapter 3
3
9/5-9 No Class Mon Labor Day
Soft Anatomy
Sat 10/8 Keys Snorkel
9/12-16 Evolution/Phylogeny of Fishes
Exam 1 Fri. 9/16
Chapter 4
5
9/19-23 Oxygen Metabolism and Energetics
Chapter 5
6
9/26-30 Sensory Systems
Chapter 6
4
7
10/3-7 Homeostasis
Chapter 11
Chapter 7
8
10/10-14 Midterm Exam Week – Exam 2
9
10/17-21 Functional Morphology of Feeding and Swimming
Early Life History/Juveniles
Chapter 8-9
10/24-28 Ontogeny/ Zoogeography
Paper Topics Due Fri 10/28
Chapter 10,16
10
11
10/31-11/4 Special Habitats and Adaptations
Exam 3 Fri 11/4
12
11/7-11 Predators, Prey and Reproduction
13
11/14-18 Agonism & Aggregations
Sat 11/19 Peanut Island Snorkel
11/21-25 Research Paper Due Mon 11/21
No Classes – Happy Thanksgiving
Chapter 22
11/28-12/2 Fisheries Conservation and Research
Final Exam Week – Exam #4
12/5-9
Chapter 26
14
15
16
Chapters 18
Chapters 19-21
VIII. GRADING CRITERIA
1. Lecture Exams: There will be four lecture exams. Each exam will cover the chapters
indicated during lecture and will take the entire class period that day. Each test may
consist of multiple choice, matching, fill in the blanks, short answer and essay questions.
There are no make-up exams. On exam days, you will not be given extra time to
finish your test if you come to class late.
2. Research Paper: You will choose a topic of interest relating to a local fish species,
group or issue currently relevant. Topics need to be approved. After which you will
collect information on the topic and write a 5-7 page double spaced, 12pt font, research
paper on the topic.
3. Lab Report: A fish behavior lab will have a formal lab report assigned.
4. Lab Practical’s: Two practical’s will be administered during the semester. Practical
exams will address topics covered in lab such as anatomy, physiology and taxonomy, as
well as identification of local fish species.
In keeping with the College’s Writing Across the Curriculum Policy, greater than 30% of your
grade in this course will be evaluated through writing which demonstrates your understanding of
fish biology. It is expected that you will use college level standard written English.
4 lecture exams (3 x 100pts each) =
Research Paper =
Lab Reports =
Lab Practical’s =
Total Pts =
Point Value
400
100
100
100
700
Your final and current grade can be determined by dividing the total number of points received by
the total number of points possible. Final letter grades will be based on the numerical average
rounded to the nearest whole number.
Percentage
≥ 93.0
90.0-92.9
87.0-89.9
83.0-86.9
80.0-82.9
77.0-79.9
73.0-76.9
70.0-72.9
67.0-69.9
60.0-66.9
≤59.9
Final Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
IX. UNIVERSITY-WIDE POLICY STATEMENTS
Students should visit www.fcas.nova.edu/about/policies.cfm to access additional required
college-wide policies. It is your responsibility to access and carefully read these policies to
ensure you are fully informed. As a student in this class, you are obligated to follow these
college-wide policies in addition to the policies established by your instructor.
The following policies are described on this website:
 Academic misconduct
 Last day to withdraw
 Email policy
 Student course evaluations
 Student responsibility to register
 Student responsibility for course prerequisites
Additional Academic Resources: Nova Southeastern University offers a variety of resources
that may aid in student success. Among these resources are:
Accommodations for students with documented disabilities: For more information about
ADA policy, services, and procedures, students may call the Office of Student Disability
Services at 954-262-7189 or visit http://www.nova.edu/disabilityservices.
Tutoring and Testing Center: Free tutoring services: Students are encouraged to use the
free, individualized tutoring services offered by the Tutoring and Testing Center
(TTC). TTC provides a supportive atmosphere in which tutors and students work
collaboratively on improving students’ writing, math and/or science skills. To set up a
tutoring appointment, call (954) 262-8350 or (800) 541-6682, ext. 28350 or stop by the
Tutoring and Testing Center in the Student Affairs Building, 2nd floor. For additional
resources, as well as information about tutoring at the regional campuses visit the Tutoring
and Testing Center web site at http://www.nova.edu/tutoring-testing/index.html