Herpetology ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

In this course, students will learn about in-depth concepts in herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians. Students will study the evolution and phylogeny of herpetological groups. In addition, students will have the opportunity to engage in taxonomic identification of northeast reptiles and amphibians. They will study the anatomical structures and physiological processes across taxonomic species that are adaptive to survival across nearly all terrestrial, and some marine and aquatic, biomes. Emphasis will be on the reproductive history in reptiles and amphibians, physiological and behavioral ecology. Students will consider species conservation, and the impact of global climate change on specific reptile and amphibian species. Prerequisites: Biology I with Lab ( BIOL 1200 ) or Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics ( BIOL 1204 ), or equivalent and Biology II with Lab ( BIOL 1201 ) or Introduction to Organismal Biology ( BIOL 1205 ) and Introduction to Population Biology ( BIOL 1206 ) or Zoology or Ecology ( BIOL 3306 ) or Animal Behavior( BIOL 2208 ), or equivalent. Completion of an introductory biology sequence, equivalent, or permission from the instructor is required.