BIOLOGY 4355/5302 - DINOSAUR PALEOBIOLOGY Spring 2003

BIOLOGY 4355/5302 - DINOSAUR PALEOBIOLOGY Spring 2003 DR. JON A. BASKIN Office: Nierman 106 -- Telephone: 361 593-3580 -- e-mail: [email protected] Baskin's home page: http://users.tamuk.edu/kfjab02/

OFFICE HOURS: 9-11 M-W-F, 8-10 Th, or by appointment. University duties, such as committee meetings, may prevent me from being in my office. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to me before or after class or phone or email me at the office for an appointment.

THE INTERNET: You should visit the course website regularly for further information, outlines, handouts, and links to other sites of interest http://users.tamuk.edu/kfjab02/dinos/DINOGATE.htm [or search using Google for Baskin dinosaur syllabus; then bookmark the web page]

BIOLOGY 4355 Dinosaur Paleobiology 3(3-0) COURSE DESCRIPTION - This course uses the internet to examine the biology, ecology, and evolution of major dinosaur groups and other significant groups of Mesozoic vertebrates. The life and times of the dinosaurs: their kinds, ecology, evolution, life habits, and eventual extinction. The course also examines concepts of systematics, earth history, and paleontology needed to understand dinosaurs and the other animals and plants that populated the Mesozoic world.

BIOLOGY 5302 Dinosaur Paleobiology 3(3-0) COURSE DESCRIPTION - The paleobiology of the dinosaurs. Topics include classification, anatomy, functional morphology, ecology, physiology, extinction, and the relationship of dinosaurs to birds. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and at least one course in invertebrate or vertebrate zoology or paleontology.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: After completing the course, a student should understand what defines a dinosaur, the classification and biology of dinosaurs, why birds are dinosaurs, and the scientific methods needed to investigate the mass extinction that occurred at the end of the Mesozoic. Additionally, this course uses the internet to examine the evolution of dinosaurs and other significant groups of Mesozoic vertebrates

REQUIRED TEXT: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF DINOSAURS, A. Martin, Blackwell Science Inc., 2001, 440 pages ISBN: 0632044365.

It is recommended that graduate students use THE COMPLETE DINOSAUR. Farlow J. O. and Brett-Surman, M. K., 1997. Indiana University Press. 752 pp.

Graduate students will also be assigned journal articles. GRADING: There will be five one hour exams including the final exam. Homework assignments will be assigned. Graduate students will be required to write a research paper on a subject approved by the instructor. Graduate students will prepare a web page based on their research

Biology 4355 Exam 1 100 points Exam 2 100 points Exam 3 100 points Exam 4 100 points Exam 5 100 points Homework 50 points

Biology 5302 Exam 1 100 points Exam 2 100 points Exam 3 100 points Exam 4 100 points Exam 5 100 points Homework 50 points Paper 100 points

Grades will be assigned based on the total points out of 500 BIOL 4355 and 666 for BIOL 5302.. 100-90% = A; 89-80% = B; 79-70% = C; 69-60% = D; < 60% = F

PAPER for BIOL 5310: Graduate students must turn in an original on a topic of your choice approved by the instructor relating to dinosaurs. The paper will be at least 15 pages long (exclusive of figures), double spaced, 10 cpi typeface. A web page highlighting and illustrating this research will also be prepared.

Please keep all of your tests and assignments, in case there is a question concerning your grade in the course. Grades will be awarded according to the regulations on page 60 of the 2002-2004 catalog. The last day to drop the course with an automatic grade of Q is March 31. After March 31, you must talk to me before dropping the course. The last day to drop the course with a Q if you have a passing grade is April 28. It is up to you to take care of all the necessary paperwork. If you do not have access to the Web for Students and you want to learn from me your grade in the course leave me a stamped self-addressed envelope during finals week.

Lecture Exams: The exams will cover notes given in class and pertinent information from the textbook. Some notes will come from sources other than the text. The examinations will consist mainly of short answer questions, definitions, characterizations, and explanations of text figures. The first three exams will be over material covered during the exam period

MAKE UP POLICY: There will be NO make-ups for missed lecture exams.

OTHER: Talking or other disruptive behavior during lecture will not be tolerated. (See page 23, section 100 of the Student Handbook)

Academic dishonesty includes giving, receiving, or using unauthorized aid on any academic work. This includes a person who has taken a test discussing what was on a test with a person who has not taken the test. Any student guilty of cheating or plagiarism will receive a grade of F. (See page 23, section 100 of Student Handbook)

Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Services for Students with Disabilities Office early in the semester so that appropriate arrangements can be made. (See pages 2 & 11 of Student Handbook) Tentative Lecture Schedule

WEEK TOPIC

1 Why study dinosaurs? Geological time 2 A history of dinosaur studies 3 Reconstructing relationships 4 The Osteology of the Dinosaurs. 5 Dinosaur Paleoecology 6 Dinosaur Reproduction and Feeding 7 Introduction to Dinosaur Evolution 8 Saurischian dinosaurs and Theropoda 9 Sauropodomorpha. 10 Ornithopoda 11 Stegosauria Ankylosauria 12 Pachycephalosauria Ceratopsia 13 Dinosaurs and Birds 14 Dinosaurs and Extinctions 15 Other Mesozoic Vertebrates

Refer to the class webpage for readings and other assignments.