Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Mammalogy Lab (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 3395-01

Course: BIOL 3395-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 30961

Course Description

Lab to accompany BIOL 3390. One three-hour meeting per week. Longer field trips may be scheduled. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Fall - Odd Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): BIOL 3390

Required Texts

None

Learning Outcomes

1.     Demonstrate an understanding of evolution, phylogeny, & taxonomy of mammals

2.     Describe the biological characteristics, behaviors, ecology, etc. that distinguish mammals from other vertebrates and from each other.

3.     Describe how human and non-human factors have impacted mammalian biodiversity and conservation.

4.     Find, read, and interpret peer-reviewed literature.

5.     Collect, analyze, and organize scientific data to test hypotheses and communicate results effectively.

6.     Acquire skills in working with others as a member of a team.

7.     Acquire introductory skills in field and lab mammalogy techniques.

Course Requirements

Field/Lab Notebook (9 entries @ 10 points each): Each student will keep a field/lab notebook to record their observations throughout the semester. You may keep your notes on paper or electronically. You will upload your field/lab notes to Canvas by the end of each day a lab activity occurs.

Lab quizzes (7 @ 20 points each): These practical-style quizzes will be administered at the beginning of the lab and will test materials from the previous lab.

Camera trap group analysis (1 @ 50 points): One day of lab will be dedicated to analyzing data from a semester-long camera trap project. This will be completed as teams.

Course Outline

Lab 1: Introduction
Lab 2: Camera Traps 1
Lab 3: Skulls
Lab 4: Integument & skeleton
Lab 5: Teeth
Lab 6: Camera Traps 2
Lab 7: Camera Traps 3
Lab 8: Bones & skins 1
Lab 9: Bones & skins 2
Lab 10: Bones & skins 3
Lab 11: Bones & skins 4
Lab 12: Camera Trap Project Presentation

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Check the TIME & DATE that all assignments are due carefully. 

Late submissions of assignments will be deducted by 10% for each day late. Waivers of the automatic deduction for late work will only be granted with prior instructor approval for an excused absence or in case of emergencies.

There will be no makeups offered for any labs missed due to an unexcused absence. 

There are no provisions for make-up labs. Emergencies & excused absences will be treated on a case-by-case basis. 

It is your responsibility to get in touch with me about any makeup requests and properly arrange for university approved absences.

Attendance Policy

While you do not earn points for attendance, attendance is expected and is essential for successful completion of the course. 

Missing more than 3 labs will result in an automatic "F"

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.