Camel. San Diego Zoo..
Photo©CLCase

Biology 215

Term Project

The purpose of this assignment is to help you.
1) Learn to read and use scientific articles..
2) Learn how animals are studied.

Go to the Zoo. Walk around the main Zoo (not the children's zoo). Select one nonprimate species to research. Choose your animal carefully so you can provide the required information. (100 points)

Your choices

San Francisco Zoo | Oakland Zoo | Steinhart Aquarium

Click here for fish.
Click here for an ecological exploration.
Use the following for Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and (nonprimate) Mammals

1. Title page (1)

2. Six (no more and no less) content pages. The text should consist of a student-worded analyses of your research during long hours in a library and at the Zoo. Do not quote authors: Put the information in your own words and cite your reference.

a. The scientific name, the family, and the common name. (3)
b. Evolution and phylogeny. Discuss supporting evidence. (5)
c. Identify the animal’s range on the accompanying map and describe its habitat. (4)
d. Climate in the animal’s range, vegetation present. (5)
e. Animal’s niche. Food chain and features of its digestive system. (10)
f. Physiological adaptations for survival (e.g., unique features of the circulatory, respiratory, or excretory system) (10)
g. Is this animal endangered? Why/why not? (5)
h. Anatomical adaptations for survival. (10)
i. Quantitative analysis (for example: genetics, survivorship, population trends). (10)
j. Record the behavior of your animal for one hour. Draw a graph showing hourly activity and time spent in the various activities. (13)

graph
Download Excel graph template.

3. Literature cited page*.Include 5 references in correct format. (10) You must use at least 3 journal articles; all references may not be books and websites. References must be cited somewhere in the content. Do not include references prior to 1980.

4. Three figures on three separate pages.

a. Each figure must have a legend.
b. Refer to each figure in the body of the text.
c. Figures can include (one) photograph or picture of the animal; chemical formulae; metabolic pathways; phylogenetic tree; Punnett squares; calculations; graphs. (9)

5. Typed, double spaced.

6. Select an animal by the third week of the semester. The animal should have recent research and should be of interest to you. Discuss possible topics with the instructor.

7. General form: (5)

  • Attach this page to your report. (pdf)
  • Followed all directions explicitly with no exceptions.
  • Presentation is neat and orderly throughout.
  • Spelling and grammar are faultless.

* In text citations are noted with a number in parentheses corresponding to the number of the reference in your Literature Cited page. You will see this format in the articles you read.

 

Range of_______________________________________

map
Download map in jpeg | doc

Type your answers. Refer to the Style Sheet for directions. Print this page in pdf