Ichthyology (BSC 414/514L) Class Links
Syllabus | Schedule | Files | Printer FriendlyIchthyology - BSC 414/414L, BSC 514/514L
Instructor:Jake Schaefer
Email: Jake.Schaefer@usm.edu
Phone: 601-266-4928
Course Homepage: http://ichthyology.usm.edu/courses/bsc414/
Office hours: Monday, Wednesday 8:00-9:00 am, Tuesday
8:00-11:00am. If these office hours don't fit your schedule please see me
for alternate times when we can schedule a meeting. Feel free to contact me
after class or through email to set up a meeting time.
Office: 1004 Johnson Science Tower
Lectures: 2:00-3:14 Monday, Wednesday in WSB 153
Labs: 3:30-6:30 Monday in WSB 153
Textbook Inland Fishes of Misssissippi by S.
T. Ross
Course Objectives
- Recognize all major taxonomic groups of fishes
- Ability to identify freshwater fishes of the Southeastern US
- General knowledge of the science of ichthyology
- Understanding of basic anatomy and physiology of fishes
- Understanding of the evolution, systematics, and zoogeography of major groups of fishes
- Appreciation of current issues concerning conservation and fisheries applications
Grading Policy
There will be three inclass exams. For the most part, these exams will also divide the semester into units based on the topics we cover. There will also be two papers you will write during the semester. Final grades are assigned in a standard 90-80-70 scale with no curve and no extra credit. The point values are as follows:
| Exam 1 | 100 points | ||||||
| Exam 2 | 100 points | ||||||
| Lab Practical 1 | 100 points | ||||||
| Lab Practical 2 | 100 points | ||||||
| Diversity Paper | 100 points | ||||||
| Class Presentation (Graduate only) | 50 points | ||||||
| Lab Participation | 50 points | ||||||
| Final Exam (cumulative) | 200 points | ||||||
| Total | 750 points (800 graduate) | ||||||
See the course calendar for exam dates. This calendar is subject to change, and all changes will be announced in class and on the course web page. Exams will consist of a variety of question formats. All questions will come from lecture material and assigned readings in the textbook. Finally, academic integrity is considered fundamental to the learning environment. Acts of dishonesty are not acceptable and will be dealt with appropriately.
Attendance Policy
I strongly encourage your attendance at lecture. Although your attendance record is not calculated into your overall course grade, experience has shown me that students having several absences do not perform well on exams. If you miss a lecture, find someone in class to tell you what you missed or see me during office hours. It would be wise to borrow a classmate's notes and/or read the textbook because we cover important material every day. If you have to miss class, I would be happy to go over what you missed during my office hours.
Field Work
There will be field trips during lab times and attendance on trips is mandatory.
A large portion of your lab partition grade will be based on attendance and
participation in collecting trips. On these trips, active participation will
involve you getting wet and possibly muddy. Appropriate dress includes old tennis
shoes or boots, long pants (shorts are OK but do not offer much protection).
We will provide you with a set of waders if you want, however these are quite
warm and may not be comfortable during the summer. If you are not a particularly
strong swimmer, please let me know and life vests will be available. We will
make every attempt to collect in streams and rivers that are easy to access,
shallow and clean. However, this is not always possible. Please be prepared.
There will be two field trips that last more than one day, one into Ozark regions of Arkansas and one into eastern Texas. For these trips we will leave as early as possible on Friday, stay overnight on location, sample and return late on Saturday. Attendance at one of these two trips is mandatory, extra credit (40 points, the equivalent of half a letter grade) will be awarded if you attend and participate in both trips.
Finally, please do not attempt to handle snakes while on field trips, we may encounter poisonous species.
Dates of Interest
For information on the last day to drop this class, see the academic calendars published by the Office of the Registrar.
The final exam will be administered at the scheduled time, see the final exam schedule published by the Office of the Registrar.
Class Disruptions
Please respect the other students in the class by not causing disruptions. This includes cell phones ringing, having conversations with others in the class or other disruptive behavior.
Missed Exams
In general, all exams must be taken in class on time. If there is some reason you can not take an exam at that time, please see me ahead of time. If you miss an examination for medical reasons, please give me a written statement to that effect signed by the attending physician. Documentation will be accepted only up to one week following the missed examination. Exams missed without medical documentation or prior consent of the instructor result in a grade of 0. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Disability Support Services
If any student has special needs they can contact the Office for Disability Accommodations for assistance.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic misconduct includes cheating (using unauthorized materials, information, or study guides), plagiarism (submitting others work as if it were your own), falsification of records, unauthorized possession of examinations, intimidation, and any other action that may improperly affect the evaluation of your performance. It also includes assisting others in any such acts or attempts to engage in such acts. Penalties may range from grade penalties (including lowering a student's semester grade, failing a student for the course, or requiring a substitute exam or paper) to official disciplinary action. For more information, see the sections on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism (pg. 49-50) in the USM Student Handbook.
Note: This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. All changes will be announced in class.