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An examination of animal biodiversity emphasizing major evolutionary innovations. Topics to be covered include major features of animal body plans (multicellularity, symmetry, paired appendages, etc.), reproductive strategies (sex, asexual propagation, regeneration, etc.), animal-specific cell types (sperm cells, neurons, muscle cells, etc.), and diverse ecological strategies (infaunal filter feeders, pelagic predators, parasites).
In the laboratory portion of the course, students will conduct original research into the ecology and microevolution of the starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. In particular, we will be investigating how this animal responds to environmental stress, and whether different genetic strains of the anemone are differentially adapted to stress. Your research will include field studies at Great Sippewissett Marsh on Cape Cod, plus controlled laboratory studies on whole organisms, molecular biology, and genomics. It is expected that publication-quality original data will be generated, and students will be invited to contribute as authors on any manuscripts that report these findings [the writing of which will take place after the course has been completed].
| Instructor: John R. W. Finnerty | Teaching Fellow: Nikki Traylor-Knowles |
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E-mail: jrf3@bu.edu
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E-mail: ntk17@bu.edu |
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Phone: 353-6984
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Office: BRB 415
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Office: BRB 425.
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Office Hours: appointments by individual
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| Office Hours: M:4-5, Tu:4-5, Th:12-1 | arrangement.by |