Syllabus - PDF

Course Description: A study of mammals with emphasis on principles of mammalian ecology, conservation, biodiversity, techniques of field study, and methods of collection and preservation.

Topics Covered:  Topics will include characteristics of mammals, classification, natural history, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, and techniques in field study.  Special emphasis will be given to mammals occurring in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas.

Laboratory: This portion of the course will involve fieldwork and laboratory exercises.  Lab will be conducted each afternoon and evening.  Students will study the mammalian fauna of the region as well as topics dealing with collecting, preservation, recording data, identifying mammalian signs, estimation of relative abundance and actual density, age determination, and diet analysis.  Special attention will be given to understanding the natural history of the mammals occurring in the region.  Each student will be involved in a lab project.

Examinations: Grades will be based upon two lecture exams, a lab practical (requiring the identification of selected mammals, natural history information relating to selected species, and knowledge of recording field data), field notes, and a lab project that requires a written and oral report.

Grading Policy: As follows: 90 - 100 = A; 80 - 89 = B; 70 - 79 = C; 60 - 69 = D; below 60 = F.  Each lecture exam and lab practical is worth 25% of the grade.  The lab project is worth 15% and field notes (journal) 10%.  The total is 100%.

Reports and Projects Required: Students will conduct a lab project (working in groups of 3 - 5 individuals) and will provide a written report to the instructor and an oral report to the class.  Fieldwork associated with all class activities will be recorded in the appropriate style in a scientific journal and due at the end of the term.  Students enrolled at the graduate level can expect to carry out lab projects and reports at a level above that expected of undergraduates.

Materials:  No lecture text is required; however, The Wild Mammals of Missouri (Schwartz and Schwartz) is required for lab, $33.75 - $43.83 plus tax. Students should bring field clothes (including field shoes and boots; knee-length rubber boots are good for working with bats in streams), a flashlight, and a pen that writes in permanent-black ink (ball point or regular ink pen will not do).  Journal paper will be provided.

Reasonable Accommodation:  The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities.  Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course are requested to contact the professor, as well as UOBS at (405) 325-7431, well in advance, to the start of class.  Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations in this course.  The Office of Disability Services is located in Goddard Health Center, Suite 166, phone (405) 325-3852 or TDD only (405) 325-4173.

Michael L. Kennedy
University of Memphis
Department of Biology
Ellington Hall 307
Memphis, TN 38157-3520
Phone: (901) 678-2597 or (901) 678-2581
Fax: (901) 678-4746
Bio Page: biology.memphis.edu/kennedy.html

Updated 5 November, 2009