Lecture: MWF 11:30 - 12:20 Stevens 113

Lab: M 1:30 - 5:10 Stevens 113

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Donald Merkle (Office 122 McCorkle 395-2583)
E-Mail: merkleda@longwood.edu
Office Hours MWF 10:30 - 11:30, R 11:10 - 12:00
Other times by appointment, but you can see me anytime I am in my office by just stopping in.

ENROLLMENT: A limited number of students may register for this course but ONLY with the Permission of the Instructor. This is a very comprehensive course and students not willing to put a LOT of time into the course outside of class time should not consider taking it.

TEXTS: 1) Herpetology - Pough, et al. 1998. Prentice Hall Publishers

2) A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians - Eastern North

America(3rd edition). Conant. 1991 Houghton Mifflin.

3)A Guide to Field Identification : Amphibians of North America.

Smith and Barlowe. Western Publishing.

4) A Guide to Field Identification: Reptiles of North America. Smith

and Brodie. Western Publishing.

(OPTIONAL ) The Reptiles of Virginia. J. Mitchell. 1994. Smithsonian

Press.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: HERPETOLOGY: The study of reptiles and amphibians with emphasis on the systematics, distribution, ecology and evolution of each group.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students will become familiar with all living families of reptiles and amphibians, and know the major features and adaptations of these groups. Laboratory excercises will focus on the identification of all species of amphibians and reptiles that occur in the eastern United States. Students will learn common names, scientific names, taxonomic relationships, identifying field characteristics, geographical distributions, and ecological relationships. Preserved and living materials will be used as well as colored slides, videos. etc.

GENERAL OUTLINE OF COURSE:
1. Introduction
2. Characteristics of Extant Amphibians
3. Origin and Evolution of Amphibians
4. Anurans - Frogs and Toads
5. Salamanders, Sirens, and Caecilians
6. Reproduction and Life Histories of Amphibians
7. Characteristics of Living Reptiles
8. Origin and Evolution of Reptiles
9. Turtles
10. Lizards and Amphisbaenians
11. Rhynocephalians and Crocodilians
12. Snakes
13. Reproduction and Life Histories of Reptiles

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students are expected to attend ALL lectures and labs. Any student missing more than 25% of EITHER lab or lecture may be given a final grade of F for the course. If you have to miss a lab, please try to attend one of the other labs that week. Your final grade in this course may be lowered by one letter grade if you miss more than 10% of EITHER labs or lectures.

TESTS: Your final grade in the this course will be based on the numerical average of 2-3 lecture tests, a lab test on each major group, a grade for quizzes and a comprehensive final exam covering all species of the eastern United States. Grades for unannounced quizzes will count as one test grade. Quizzes may be given any day both in lecture as well as in lab. Up to 10% of the material on any lecture test may be from material that is in the text book but not covered during class. READ YOUR BOOKS!!

Students are expected to read the appropriate chapters as we go over them in lecture. All test will be worth the same towards the final grade. A ten point grading scale will be used, A= 90-100, B= 80-89, c= 70 -79, D = 60-69, F = below 60.
It is extremely important for students to keep up with material in BOTH lecture and lab at the same time.

FIELD TRIPS: Once the weather becomes suitable for amphibians and reptiles we will take a number of local trips to observe species in a number of varied habitats. Hopefully, by then you will be able to correctly identify the species as we encounter them. Expanded week end trips to the Coastal Plain and the Mountains may be possible towards the end of the semester depending on interest, weather, etc. You will need a good flashlight, some type of raingear, and should dress appropriately for trips. Night field trips will be made when conditions are favorable - warm, rainy nights. Be prepared to get WET and DIRTY on all field trips. We go where the animals live. Do not wear your dress clothes and shoes.

LAB TEST SEQUENCE:
1. Frogs and Toads
2. Salamanders, Sirens and Caecilians
3. Frog Calls
4. Lizards
5. Turtles
6. Snakes
7. Comprehensive Lab Final

MAKE-UP POLICY: At least one weeks notice will be given for each test. Any VALID excuse for missing a test should be given to me BEFORE the day of the test. Valid excuses include college sponsored class trips, games, etc. "I am just not ready to take this test" is not considered a valid excuse. Make-Up tests may be written or oral.

SUGGESTED READINGS: See the list of readings at the end of each chapter in the text book.

HONOR CODE: Students are expected to observe all conditions of the Longwood University Honor Code as specified in the Student Handbook. Any test or quiz not pledged may be given a grade of 0%.