ANSC 211:  Introduction to Avian Biology

2004

 

G. F. Barbato

201 Wm. L. Henning Bldg.

814-865-4481

Fax: 814-865-5691

 

gfb1@psu.edu

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE:

 

   I.  Introduction (Week 1)

            A.  Avian evolution

                   i.  Systematics

                  ii.  Taxonomy

            B.  History of Birds and Humans

            C.  Development of the Poultry Industry

                   i.  Petaluma, CA (Eggs)                                                   

                  ii.  Integration (Broilers)

 

    II.  The Integument (Week 2)

            A.  Feather Structure and Function

            B.  Plumage Variation

 

 III.  The Skeleton (Week 3)

            A.  Skull

            B.  Pectoral Girdle and Wings

            C.  Pelvic Girdle and Legs/Foot

 

  IV.  The Musculature (Weeks 4 & 5)

            A.   Overview

            B.   Head and Neck

            C.  Thorax and Abdomen

            D.  Wing Musculature

            E.  Pelvic and Leg Musculature

 

   V.  The Digestive System (Week 6)

            A.  Overview

            B.  The Stomach

            C.  Avian Adaptations

 

  VI.  The Circulatory System (Week 7)

            A.  Blood

            B.  Arteries and Veins

            C.  The Heart

            D.  The Lymphatic System

 

 VII.  The Immune System (Week 8)

            A.   Overview

            B.   Active or Passive Immunity

            C.  Sources of Immunity

 

VIII.  The Respiratory System (Week 9)

            A.  Lungs

            B.  Air Sac System

            C.  Ascites

 

  IX.  The Reproduction System (Weeks 10 & 11)

            A.  Endocrine Systems

            B.  Male Reproduction

            C.  Female Reproduction

                      i.  The Avian Egg

                    ii.    Fertilization

 

   X.  Embryology (Week 12)

            A.  Incubation

            B.  Hamilton/Hamburger

 

  XI.  Sensation and Perception (Week 13)

            A.  The Brain

            B.  The Eye

            C.  Behavioral Preferences

 

 XII.  The Future (Week 14)

            A.  Genetics

            B.  Genomics

 

                                                          

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Strict adherence to Policy 49-20, Academic Integrity, will be practiced.   Academic integrity, as defined by University Faculty Senate Policy 49-20, is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deception and is an educational objective of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating of information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students.  Specific examples in ANSC 327 may include the verbatim copying from another student’s paper or other types of plagiarism on quizzes; obtaining and/or giving any type of academic assistance during the final exam; signing in an absent student for laboratory.  If you are interested in a greater discussion of plagiarism, please see the College's web page on Academic Integrity. As per University Faculty Senate Policy 42-27, written medical or other excuses are no longer required to be furnished to instructors for absences from class or missed examinations.  This reflects a commitment to viewing students as adults.  The amended faculty senate policy, effective Fall 2002, states that students who miss class due to legitimate, unavoidable reasons such as illness, injury or family emergency will have the opportunity to make up evaluative events.  However, notifying the instructor in a timely manner is a key expectation and false claims by a student may be considered violations of the policy on Academic Integrity.  This policy is also supportive of students who must miss class or examinations for purposes of religious observations. Students should be familiar with faculty senate academic policies and procedures regarding grades, especially policy 47-20 and 47-60.