Vertebrate Evolution

Vertebrate animals represent a diverse and ecologically important component of life on earth. They can be found in virtually every ecosystem from the deep ocean to the tops of our highest mountains and play important roles in ecosystem functions at scales small and large. In this program we will examine the evolutionary history of modern vertebrate groups including fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals and the non-avian dinosaurs. This program will investigate the relationship between form, function, and species interactions to gain a deeper understanding evolutionary processes and the role of ecology as the interface for evolutionary change. We will map the appearance and radiation of vertebrate animals across geologic time and investigate global patterns of climate and ecosystem distribution and how vertebrate evolution relates to those patterns.

Weekly activities will include lectures, labs, and workshops. Labs will use specimens from Evergreen's natural history collection to examine key characteristics of taxonomic groups, functional morphology and the evolutionary history evident in the structure of modern vertebrates. There will be some dissections for students interested in internal anatomy. Workshops will include case studies and seminars on papers from the primary scientific literature. Students will be expected to contribute actively to the learning community and will be evaluated on regular homework assignments, lab reports, exams, and workshop participation. Students completing the program will gain a solid understanding of evolutionary processes as they relate to vertebrates, animal ecology, comparative anatomy and physiology and paleontology.

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies (all upper division eligible):

4 - Vertebrate Zoology

4 - Vertebrate Functional Morphology

4 - Paleontology

4 - Evolutionary Biology