EUNIVERSITY OF THEPHILIPPINES VISAYAS

TACLOBAN COLLEGE
DNSM

Course Syllabus
Course
ZOOLOGY 102 & 102.1 Professor Irene L. Tan
number
Consultation
Course title Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Requesting for an appointment is preferred.
hours
Course 3 units (Lec), 2 units (Lab) Phone numbers (053)321-8299, 09152159291
credit
T F  01:00-02:30  (Lec)  
Class venue T F  02:30-05:30  (Lab)
E-mail iclagahit@yahoo.com
day & time W 07:00-01:00 (Lab)
Wet Lab 
Course The course is a study of vertebrate anatomy with emphasis on the basic body plan and the various
description adaptations and modifications of the general structure as observed in different vertebrate groups.

Course goals At the end of the course, the student should be able:
1. describe the major characteristics of organisms under Phylum Chordata;
2. describe the general features of vertebrates and trace their biological relationships with other
members of Phylum Chordata;
3. describe the general structure of the different organ systems in vertebrates; and,
4. describe and explain the modifications of the general plan of the different organ systems among
various groups of vertebrates.
Course INTRODUCTION
Outline
A. Classification of Vertebrates
B. Characteristics of Organisms under Phylum Chordata
C. The Vertebrates
EARLY VERTEBRATE DEVELOPMENT
1st Long Examination
COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF ORGAN SYSTEMS
G. The Integument
H. Skeletal System
I. Muscular System
2nd Long Examination
J. Digestive System
K. Respiratory System
L. Urogenital System
3rd Long Examination
M. Circulatory System
N. Nervous System and Sense Organs
O. Endocrine System
4th Long Examination
Final Examination

Class Lecture
requirements Percentage
Examinations 70%
 Group and Individual Requirements 30%

Laboratory
Percentage
Practical Exams 60%
Laboratory Exercises and Quizzes 30%
Dissection 10%

Guidelines on 1. The passing rate of this course is 60%. All students with an average of 90% (based on major lecture
examinations exams) or better provided that all 4 exams have been taken are exempted from taking the final
and grading examination. There is no final exam for the laboratory part.
2. Should a student take the final exam, the following computation will be used:
Pre-final grade ------------------------ 55%
Final Exam grade -------------------- 15%
Others---------------------------------- 30%
3. Make-up exams are not usually given. When given, makeup exams are always different, and often tend
to be more difficult. Only students with compelling and documented excuses are allowed to take special
exams at the end of the semester. Otherwise, the student will be denied the opportunity and will receive a
zero score for the missed exam.
4. A student who fails to take two (2) long exams shall automatically incur a grade of 5.0 unless he/she
drops the subject. Take note of the College’s deadlines for DROPPING and for filing leave of absence
(LOA).
5. Questions about the long exams will be entertained only within one week after graded exams have been
returned.
6. A grade of 4.0 can only be removed by passing the removal examination.
7. If a student is late for an exam, he/she will be allowed to enter and to take the exam as long no student
has finished and left the room yet.
8. A student cannot leave the room during an exam to get a drink or to go to the bathroom and then expect
to resume testing. The use of cell phones, calculators, and other devices are not allowed during
examinations.
 
Laboratory 1. In the laboratory, in-depth dissections of representatives of major vertebrate classes for most organ
Rules systems will be done.
2. Dissecting instruments should be prepared to carry out the dissections later in the semester.
3. Dissection is the careful study of anatomy, both in identifying structures and in discovering the
positional relationships of structures to one another.
4. Dissection does not consist in cutting an animal into pieces. Dissection consists in separating the parts
of an animal so that they are more clearly visible, leaving the parts as intact as practicable.
5. In dissecting an animal, very little cutting is required. Cleaning away the connective tissue, which
binds together and conceals structures, is the chief process in dissection. In doing this, use blunt
instruments, as the probe or forceps. Avoid the often use of scalpel and scissors.
6. Have the specimen firmly fastened.
7. Do your own dissecting. Do not always watch somebody else do it. Begin at the most accessible point
of the system you are studying and follow out your structure, cleaning away the tissues that conceal it.
8. Follow the directions precisely. Do not cut anything or remove anything unless specifically directed to
do so.
9. Students will work in pairs, each sharing responsibilities for specimen preparation, dissection, and
storage. Plastic bags and tags should be provided for specimen storage.
10. The students who, through their own carelessness, render their specimens unfit for further dissection
will have to provide for new specimens.
11. Taking specimens out of the laboratory will be permitted upon approval of the instructor.
12. Protective gloves, masks, and laboratory gowns MUST be worn when working with preserved
specimens. Eye protection can also be used.
13. Students must report any injury to the instructor.
14. Any trash must be placed in designated receptacles for disposal. Table areas and the floor surrounding
 the work area must be cleaned following work with the specimens. Use appropriate cleaners and paper
towels.
15. Food and drink should not be brought into the laboratory.

Important 1. Students are expected to read the syllabus and know its contents. The topics listed may change but
reminders students will be notified of any changes in a timely manner.
2. Reading the lecture materials before and after class is encouraged. It is advised to spend more time
reading the text and studying notes if difficulties are encountered.
3. The lecture portion of the course will emphasize the inter-relationship of structure and function and
will act as the conceptual foundation for our study of Comparative Vertebrate Morphology. It is
important to remember that the functional significance of structure will be emphasized throughout this
course. Form and function in one system affects that of others.
4. Questions about the subject matter are always welcome! Students can express their ideas or opinions
so that they can add to the appreciation of the course. The course is improved by responsible input
from the student.
5. Members of UP community are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors.
Students who are suspected of violating this policy will be disciplined accordingly. Any form of
cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating will be penalized according to the gravity of the offense.
6. Quizzes will be regularly given. Quiz questions will be drawn from topics already covered or from
topics assigned for reading. There will be no makeup test for quizzes.
7. Cellular phones should be turned off or set in mute mode during class hours.
8. The use of laptops, MP3 players, iPods, and similar devices are prohibited during class hours.
9. Requirements should be submitted on or before the deadline. Handing in requirements after the agreed
time will result in a 5% reduction. A 10% reduction will occur if the output is passed 1 day later.
When tendered 2 days later, the requirement will get a 50% reduction. Requirements will get a grade
of zero when submitted beyond 3days from due date.
10. Please spell-check and proof- read compositions before submission. It should be concise and
grammatically correct.
11. Attendance is mandatory. Excused absences will only be granted with appropriate written
documentation. A student who incurs repeated unexcused absences will be advised to drop from the
class.
12. The medium of classroom instruction is English. Students are encouraged to speak in English
especially during class hours. This will help improve their oral communication skills.

5
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
6
in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6

Grading Scale Grades for the lecture part will be allocated based on the following:
1.00 = 93-100%          2.00 = 81-78% 3.00 = 64-60%
1.25 = 92-89%            2.25 = 77-74% 4.00 = 59-50%  
1.50 = 89-86%  2.50 = 73-70% 5.00 = 49-0%  
1.75 = 85-82% 2.75 = 69-65%
Grades for the lab part will be allocated based on the following:
1.0 = 90 – 100% 2.00 = 70 – 74% 3.00 = 50 – 54%
1.25 = 85 – 89% 2.25 = 65 – 69% 4.00 = 45 – 49%
1.50 = 80 – 84% 2.50 = 60 – 64% 5.00 = 0 – 44%
1.75 = 75 – 79% 2.75 = 55 – 59%
References
Kent, George (1987). Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates
Weichert, Charles (1971). Anatomy of the Chordates
Hyman, Henrietta Libbie (1942). Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy