Course Description: Zoology is the branch of natural science that deals with the integrative study of animal biology. It is concerned with every level of biological organization from the gene to the biosphere, and with the structure, physiology, behavior, genetics, development, distribution, ecology and evolution of animals in all taxonomic groups. Research and course work will cover an enormous array of organisms, as well as diverse investigative techniques. Training in zoology can help students to prepare for a wide variety of careers including biomedical research, medicine, dentistry, biotechnology, veterinary science, marine biology, wildlife conservation, environmental science, work in zoological parks and aquaria, behavioral biology, physical education, and, of course, teaching.

Course Activities: You will be required to participate in all activities in this course, which are designed to provide you the most authentic and best possible learning experience. This includes discussions, group work, lab activities, and dissections. Increasing emphasis on improving reading fluency and comprehension dictates that every student read aloud and share insights of the passage on a weekly basis.

Required Materials (Must bring to every class)

• Hickman, C. P., et al. (2006) Integrated Principles of Zoology, Glenco ISBN:0072830565 (Cost if Lost $112.50)
• Notebook and college-ruled Lined loose-leaf paper 
• At least 1 pen or several sharpened pencils (pens are preferred) 
• Multicolored pencils (at least 12 different colors; more is good) are REQUIRED. Students will color biological concept plates to enrich and reinforce the complex scientific and biological concepts, ideas, and terms they will learn this year.
  

Grades and Evaluation in the Course: 

• Assignments must be handed in on time to receive full credit; late work will ONLY be accepted one day late for ½ credit.
• Your grade will be determined by your own achievement and is based on a point system. Final grades are not curved; however, individual tests may be curved. 
• Students can earn 10-20 pts for home & class work, 30 pts for quizzes, 100 pts for projects, labs, and tests. Grades are determined by dividing total points by the possible points (%). 
• Grading scale: 89.5-100% = A; 79.5-89.49% = B; 69.5-79.49% = C; 59.5-69.49% = D; >59.49-% = F 
• Tests emphasize the topics covered during the referenced section; however, some questions from previous sections will be included to reinforce important concepts.
• Items missed on tests can be revised and resubmitted the following day for credit =¼ the value of the original question 
• Cheating will result in a zero for a test or an assignment. Consequences will be administrated based on the policies and procedures of Tampa Bay Tech.