Spring 2022

Form and Function w/Lab

Listed in: Biology, as BIOL-265

Faculty

Ethan D. Clotfelter (Section 01)

Description

(Offered as BIOL 265 and PHYS 265) Functional morphology is the study of relationships between the anatomy and the ecology and behavior of organisms. The course begins by focusing on the fundamental importance of body size and metabolism in governing nearly all aspects of animal biology. We then study the biomechanics of running, jumping, swimming, gliding, and flying, using examples of both living and extinct animals. We will also learn about morphological adaptations underlying unusual movements such as climbing walls, hovering in midair, and walking on water. Finally, we touch on examples of human innovation inspired by animal morphology. The course uses a combination of lectures and discussions of articles from the primary literature. Laboratories focus primarily on comparative anatomy and analyzing animal performance. Three hours of lecture/discussion and three hours of laboratory per week.

Requisite: BIOL 181. Not open to first-year students. Limited to 16 students. Spring semester. Professors Clotfelter.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Readings from primary scientific literature, oral presentations, group work, independent research, in-class quizzes or exams, demonstrations and other practical hands-on activities Students with documented disabilities who will require accommodations in this course should be in consultation with Accessibility Services and reach out to the faculty member as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations can be made in a timely manner. Students with documented disabilities who will require accommodations in this course should be in consultation with Accessibility Services and reach out to the faculty member as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations can be made in a timely manner.

Offerings

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2017, Spring 2020, Spring 2022