THIS IS A TENTATIVE SYLLABUS INTENDED TO GIVE AN INDICATION OF THE MATERIAL COVERED DURING THIS COURSE, AND THE TYPICAL SCHEDULE. SPECIFIC ...
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** THIS IS A TENTATIVE SYLLABUS INTENDED TO GIVE AN INDICATION OF THE
MATERIAL COVERED DURING THIS COURSE, AND THE TYPICAL SCHEDULE. SPECIFIC
DATES/TIMES MAY BE DIFFERENT DURING THE COUSE **
Faculty of Science Course Syllabus
Department of Biology
BIOL 3639.03 - Herpetology
Summer 2021
Instructor: Dr. Julia Riley julia.riley@dal.ca This course is remote. Office hours will be virtual.
Demonstrator(s): TBD
Lectures: Referred to detailed schedule. Will all be held remotely in synchrony.
Laboratories: Referred to detailed schedule. Will all be held remotely in synchrony.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians. Through a
combination of remote lectures and labs, this course provides and overview of the global diversity,
ecology, and conservation of herpetofauna (amphibian and reptiles). There is also a focus on the natural
history and identification of Atlantic Coast species.
Course Prerequisites
BIOL 2003 (Diversity of Life) and BIOL 2060 (Introductory Ecology) or permission of the instructor.
Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Be able to identify Atlantic Coast amphibians and reptiles, and be familiar with reptiles and
amphibians of Canada.
• Be familiar with sampling techniques for herpetofauna and understand the benefits and biases of
each.
• Compare and contrast the anatomical, physiological, and behavioural traits of reptiles and
amphibians, and, to a lesser extent, contrast these with other vertebrate taxa.
• Understand and articulate the major threats to amphibians and reptiles and the importance of
conserving herpetofauna.
• Have used and practiced the following core scientific skills:
(1) developing and testing hypotheses to address a particular research question in herpetology,
(2) clearly communicating findings of scientific research both orally and written, and
(3) remotely collaborating and working in a group.
1Syllabus - BIOL 3639.03 - Herpetology
Course Materials
There is no Auxillary Fee for this course, but students will need to acquire (either by using what they have
on hand, purchasing themselves, or borrowing):
1. A thermometer, preferably digital, that can be used to measure air temperature within a range of
0-40oC (e.g., a meat, kitchen, or room thermometer). Some suitable examples are: (1)
https://amzn.to/2XoZnEx and (2) https://bit.ly/3rWm5BB.
2. A means of recording a sound clip that you can then upload online and share. This can be using a
cellphone or another recording device. There are suitable (free) applications for Apple iPhones
(https://apple.co/3pIf1H4) and Android phones (the default Voice Recorder app:
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-record-audio-on-android?IR=T), or one could use an
audio recorder that is not associated with a phone like: https://amzn.to/3pR0GIw.
All course materials will be provided through the Brightspace course website and email announcements.
Students are expected to check the site daily for course updates and to carefully and promptly read all
course emails. There is no assigned textbook for this course. We will use readings from the primary
literature to supplement the information shared in lectures.
We will be using open-access software that needs to be downloaded for the analyses that we are going to
be doing in class. These include R, RStudio, and ImageJ. The program websites are listed on Brightspace,
and programs need to be downloaded and installed before classes begin (13 May 2021).
There are helpful websites and texts that can support and supplement your journey in this course:
Helpful Websites
http://www.canadianherpetology.ca/
https://novascotia.ca/museum/amphibians/defaulten.asp
http://environmentalcomputing.net/
Helpful Texts
Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central America by Roger Powell, Roger
Conant, and Joseph Collins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 4th edition, 2016.
Reptiles and Amphibians of Canada by Chris Fisher, Amanda Joynt, and Ronald Brooks. Lone Pine
Publishing, 2007.
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians: North America by John Behler and
Wayne King. Knopf, 1979.
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Course Assessment
Component Weight (% of final grade) Date
Student Profile 1% 12 May 2021
Daily Quizzes 1% each (total of 10%) 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 22,
14, 25, 25 May 2021
Sci-Comm Species Account 15% 17 May 2021
Lab Assignments x 3 8% each (total of 24%) 23 and 26 May 2021
Research Article 20% 27 May 2021
Exam 30% 28 May 2021
Brief Summary of Assessments
Student Profile (1%): I enjoy getting to know my students. The ability to associate names with faces, or at
least “Zoom” boxes, goes a long way. So, I am asking each of you to send me a document containing your
name, a picture of yourself, and 1-2 sentences describing your interest in taking this course. This
information also helps me to be aware of student interests as I lecture. Email me this document (in Word
or PDF format) by 12 May 2021 for a 1% completion mark. I will provide a template on Brightspace with
my own information for guidance. Before you email me your profile, please name the file using the
following format: “LastName_FirstName.docx” (or .pdf).
Daily Quizzes (10%): A brief quiz will follow each day of the course (10 in total) where there are lectures
delivered by the course instructor (i.e., not inclusive of guest lectures). They will be available on
Brightspace at 17:00. These are intended to help you consolidate your knowledge, and will help the
course instructor assess the classes’ understanding of the material as we go through various topics. They
will be available until the beginning of class the next day. Each quiz will be worth a 1% completion mark.
Sci-Comm Species Account (15%): Working in groups of two (or, if needed, three) put together a creative
presentation on the biology of a reptile or amphibian species geared towards a non-scientific audience
(restricted to non-Atlantic Coast species). This species account should include natural-history information
like: a description, geographic range, habitat preferences, diet, reproduction, conservation status and
threats, behaviour, etc. The goal is to communicate this scientific information in a fun and engaging way!
Lab Assignments: As applicable, each of these three assignments will include data collection, data
processing (i.e., measurements using ImageJ, behavioural video scoring), data input, and statistical
analyses in R. These will address several questions (discussed in advance) for each activity. Answers to
these questions are worth 5%, and inputting data (see details for each assignment) on class spreadsheets
accounts for 3% of the mark.
Exam: The exam will include three parts: 1) identification of Atlantic Coast species from photos or audio
recordings, 2) multi-part short answer questions on lecture content, and 3) one long-answer question.
Research paper/proposal: Working individually, you will use one of the three datasets we analysed in the
‘Lab Assignments’ and will prepare a scientific research article that test a hypothesis and follows the
typical format of a scientific research paper (i.e., introduction, methods, results, discussion, in-text
citations, references). This research article will be between 2500-3500 words, not including a title page,
3/8Syllabus - BIOL 3639.03 - Herpetology
references, or tables/figures. For basic information about preparing a research article, consult ‘A Student
Handbook for Writing in Biology’ by K. Knisely that was used in your 2nd-year Biology courses.
Other course requirements
Everyone is expected to attend the course activities synchronously online. Also, one of the labs requires
collection of auditory recordings of frog calls around Nova Scotia in the field. If you are not located within
the province, or have other extenuating circumstances, please discuss alternatives with me before the
start of the course. These will be addressed on a case-by-case basis at my discretion.
Conversion of numerical grades to Final Letter Grades follows the Dalhousie Common Grade Scale
A+ (90-100) B+ (77-79) C+ (65-69) D (50-54)
A (85-89) B (73-76) C (60-64) F (Syllabus - BIOL 3639.03 - Herpetology
Course Content
Please note that this is a tentative course schedule and may change. The final schedule will have defined
breaks for lunch, snacks, and brain-breaks from online learning. We also may need to change the schedule
during the course due to inclement weather or to accommodate the needs of guest lecturers; be alert and
prepare for sudden changes of plans.
Day 1 – Thursday 13 May 2021
09:00-10:30 Course Introduction
Housekeeping
11:00-12:30 Lecture: History of Herpetology
13:30-15:30 Lecture: Diversity, Distribution, and Defining Characteristics
16:00-16:30 Introduction of Group Assignment: Sci-Comm Species Account
Day 2 – Friday 14 May 2021
09:00-10:30 Lecture: Amphibian Evolutionary Biology
11:00-12:30 Lecture: Reptile Evolutionary Biology
13:30-15:00 Lecture: Anatomy and Physiology
15:15-16:00 Guest Lecture: Storytelling of Atlantic Coast Herpetofauna
Day 3 – Saturday 15 May 2021
09:00-10:30 Lecture: Natural History & Identification of Atlantic Coast Reptiles
11:00-13:00 Lecture: Natural History, Identification & Calls of Atlantic Coast Amphibians
14:00-17:00 Afternoon to Work on Group Assignment (with Office Hours)
Day 4 – REST – Sunday 16 May 2021
Day 5 – Monday 17 May 2021
09:00-12:00 Sci-Comm Species Account Due & Presentations
13:00-14:30 Lecture: Herpetological Sampling Methods
15:00-17:00 Online Open ‘Office Hours’: Open-Access Program Installation Support
Day 6 – Tuesday 18 May 2021
09:00-11:00 Lecture: Reproduction Part 1
12:30-13:30 Lecture: Reproduction Part 2
14:30-17:00 Introduction of 1st Lab Assignment: Frog Calls
Tutorial: R-Coding and Biostatistics
19:30+ Frog Call Surveys
Day 7 – Wednesday 19 May 2021
09:00-10:30 Lab: ‘Frog Call’ Assignment Data Scoring and Input into Class Spreadsheet
10:45-12:00 Tutorial: ‘Frog Call’ Statistics in R
13:00-15:00 Lecture: Life History Strategies of Herpetofauna
Day 8 – REST - Thursday 20 May 2021
Day 9 – Friday 21 May 2021
09:00-10:30 Guest Lecture: Patrick Moldowan
11:00-11:30 Introduction of 2nd Lab Assignment: Salamander Sizes
13:00-16:00 Lab: ‘Salamander Sizes’ ImageJ Measurements and Input into Class Spreadsheet
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Day 10 – Saturday 22 May 2021
09:00-10:30 Lecture: Behavioural Ecology Part 1
11:00-12:30 Guest Lecture: The Canadian Sea Turtle Network
13:00-14:00 Tutorial: ‘Salamander Sizes’ Statistics in R
14:00+ Afternoon to Work on Individual Assignments (with Office Hours)
Day 11 – REST - Sunday 23 May 2021
‘Frog Call’ Individual Assignment Due
‘Salamander Sizes’ Individual Assignment Due
Day 12 – Monday 24 May 2021
09:00-10:30 Lecture: Behavioural Ecology Part 2
11:00-12:30 Lecture: Adaptations to Extreme Environments
13:30-15:30 Guest Lecture: Urban Ecology of Herpetofauna (Dr. James Baxter-Gilbert)
16:00-16:30 Introduction of 3rd Lab Assignment: Country and City Toads
Day 13 – Tuesday 25 May 2021
09:00-12:00 Lab: Country and City Toads Video Scoring and Input into Class Spreadsheet
13:00-14:30 Lecture: Conservation Part 1
15:00-16:00 Guest Lecture: Conserving Herpetofauna in Nova Scotia (Jolene Laverty)
Day 14 – Wednesday 26 May 2021
09:00-10:00 Tutorial: Country and City Toad Statistics in R
10:30-12:00 Lecture: Conservation Part 2
13:00-14:00 Guest Lecture: Addressing Conservation Threats to Canadian Herps (TBD)
23:59 ‘Country and City Toads’ Lab Assignment Due
Day 15 – Thursday 27 May 2021
13:00-16:00 Office Hours for Research Article Support
Day 16 – Friday 28 May 2021
Research Article Assignment Due
Day 17 – Saturday 28 May 2021
9:00-12:00 Exam
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University Policies and Statements
This course is governed by the academic rules and regulations set forth in the University
Calendar and by Senate
Academic Integrity
At Dalhousie University, we are guided in all of our work by the values of academic integrity: honesty, trust,
fairness, responsibility and respect (The Center for Academic Integrity, Duke University, 1999). As a student, you
are required to demonstrate these values in all of the work you do. The University provides policies and
procedures that every member of the university community is required to follow to ensure academic integrity.
Information: https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/academic-integrity.html
Accessibility
The Advising and Access Services Centre is Dalhousie's centre of expertise for student accessibility and
accommodation. The advising team works with students who request accommodation as a result of a disability,
religious obligation, or any barrier related to any other characteristic protected under Human Rights legislation
(Canada and Nova Scotia).
Information: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/accessibility.html
Student Code of Conduct
Everyone at Dalhousie is expected to treat others with dignity and respect. The Code of Student Conduct allows
Dalhousie to take disciplinary action if students don’t follow this community expectation. When appropriate,
violations of the code can be resolved in a reasonable and informal manner—perhaps through a restorative
justice process. If an informal resolution can’t be reached, or would be inappropriate, procedures exist for formal
dispute resolution.
Code: https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/student-life/code-of-student-conduct.html
Diversity and Inclusion – Culture of Respect
Every person at Dalhousie has a right to be respected and safe. We believe inclusiveness is fundamental to
education. We stand for equality. Dalhousie is strengthened in our diversity. We are a respectful and inclusive
community. We are committed to being a place where everyone feels welcome and supported, which is why our
Strategic Direction prioritizes fostering a culture of diversity and inclusiveness
Statement: http://www.dal.ca/cultureofrespect.html
Recognition of Mi’kmaq Territory
Dalhousie University would like to acknowledge that the University is on Traditional Mi’kmaq Territory. The Elders
in Residence program provides students with access to First Nations elders for guidance, counsel and support.
Visit or e-mail the Indigenous Student Centre (1321 Edward St) (elders@dal.ca).
Information: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/communities/indigenous.html
Important Dates in the Academic Year (including add/drop dates)
https://www.dal.ca/academics/important_dates.html
University Grading Practices
https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/academic/grading-practices-policy.html
Missed or Late Academic Requirements due to Student Absence (policy)
https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/academic/missed-or-late-academic-
requirements-due-to-student-absence.html
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Student Resources and Support
Advising
General Advising https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/advising.html
Science Program Advisors: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/current-students/academic-advising.html
Indigenous Student Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/communities/indigenous.html
Black Students Advising Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/communities/black-student-advising.html
International Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/international-centre/current-students.html
Academic supports
Library: https://libraries.dal.ca/
Writing Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/writing-and-study-skills.html
Studying for Success: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/study-skills-and-tutoring.html
Copyright Office: https://libraries.dal.ca/services/copyright-office.html
Fair Dealing Guidelines https://libraries.dal.ca/services/copyright-office/fair-dealing.html
Other supports and services
Student Health & Wellness Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/health-and-wellness/services-
support/student-health-and-wellness.html
Student Advocacy: https://dsu.ca/dsas
Ombudsperson: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/safety-respect/student-rights-and-responsibilities/where-to-
get-help/ombudsperson.html
Safety
Biosafety: https://www.dal.ca/dept/safety/programs-services/biosafety.html
Chemical Safety: https://www.dal.ca/dept/safety/programs-services/chemical-safety.html
Radiation Safety: https://www.dal.ca/dept/safety/programs-services/radiation-safety.html
Scent-Free Program: https://www.dal.ca/dept/safety/programs-services/occupational-safety/scent-free.html
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