Animal Science: Animal Anatomy

A comprehensive study of anatomical structure of vertebrate animals with emphasis on domestic animals. Taught from a systemic anatomy approach and incorporating microscopic and developmental anatomy, comparative vertebrate anatomy, and applied/clinical anatomy. Some physiology will be introduced to reinforce the link between structure and function. Prerequisites: BIOL 1400 or BCOR 1400 or BCOR 1425; CHEM 1100 or CHEM 1400; or Instructor permission.

Must register for a lab: A01 - A05; Prereqs enforced by the system: BIOL 1400 or BCOR 1400 or BCOR 1425 and CHEM 1100 or CHEM 1102 or CHEM 1400; Open to degree and PACE students

This course provides a basic overview of the anatomic structure of a normal vertebrate animal body and its organ systems, with an emphasis on the domestic animal species. The approach will be largely systemic, i.e. the study of groups of organs that are closely related in their function (cardio vascular system, respiratory system, etc.). Occasionally, this approach will be supplemented with a regional approach to integrate clinical applications through applied, surgical, or radiographic anatomy. Gross anatomy will be emphasized, although we will draw on microscopic and developmental anatomy to broaden understanding of the material. The broad objective is for students to understand the gross and microscopic structure of anatomical systems of domestic animals. The course combines lecture and laboratory sessions. The lecture and laboratory materials are integrated as often as logistically practical, so that laboratory experiences are used to reinforce concepts covered in the lecture material, and vice versa.

This is a required course for animal science majors and includes lecture and laboratory sections. Students are expected to attend all lecture and laboratory sessions. Students are expected to purchase the required lecture textbook and laboratory manual. The course will use a classroom participation platform such as iClicker. The Brightspace environment will be used extensively. Optional textbooks will be recommended in the course syllabus. Specific learning objectives will be provided for each anatomic system in student resource materials. For lecture and lab material graded “open-book” assignments and quizzes and study prompts will be used as learning tools. Low stakes graded pre-lecture quizzes and in class participation will be used to reinforce learning of lecture materials. Students will complete the laboratory component as an in-person hands-on laboratory with cadaver dissections. The foundation of this course is in the biological sciences (i.e., occasional comparisons among species will be made to capture the amazing diversity of vertebrate forms and to emphasize the link between structure and function.) The course will provide a strong foundation for a subsequent course in animal physiology, and will include some general introduction to physiological function to reinforce understanding of the link between anatomical structure and physiological function, and to make the material more thought-provoking. Students should expect to work 6 to 8 hours outside of class, in addition to the 2.5 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab time per week.

Assessment (grading) is based on performance in 4 lecture exams including a comprehensive final exam (exams are in-person and are primarily multiple choice, short answer or matching questions), pre-lecture comprehension quizzes or assignments, in-class or post-lecture participation exercises or quizzes (some in-class quizzes may be unannounced), weekly pre-lab and post-lab comprehension quizzes, weekly lab assignments, and three laboratory practical exams, which are cumulative (the lab section is worth 30% of the overall grade).