Saint Mary’s University

School of Health and Natural Sciences

CENTER FOR NATURAL SCIENCES
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

COURSE OUTLINE FOR ZOOLOGY

Course Descriptive Title: ZOOLOGY

Credit Units: Lecture: 3 Laboratory: 2 Total: 5 units
Time Allotment: Lecture: 3 Laboratory: 6 Total: 9 hours per week Monday to Friday
Instructor: Mrs. Cathelyn C. Mariano – SHNS Faculty

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course deals with the general principles of animal biology focusing on the structures
of the body and their organization into special systems that carry on the essential life processes.
Emphasis is on the general morphology, anatomy and histology of the frog as bases of
comparison with other vertebrate animals particularly the humans. It also includes not only the
classification but also the behavior, distribution, reproduction, evolution, and relationship of the
animal with the physical and biological factors in the environment. Evolutionary relationships are
emphasized. The laboratory gives students first hand experience with a diversity of organisms
from structural, functional, and ecological perspectives.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the course, the student is expected to:

1. Acquire basic concepts on the morphological, anatomical and histological aspects of a vertebrate
animal.
2. Use appropriate terminology to effectively communicate information related to anatomy and
physiology
3. Recognize the great diversity of organisms in the animal kingdom.
4. Understand the interrelationships among animals and their environment as a whole.
5. Conduct laboratory investigations according to given experimental procedure, collect and analyze
resulting experimental data, and formulate valid conclusions based on the results

III. Course Outline and Time Frame

Week No./ Time
Topics
Allotment
University Vision-Mission Re-Orientation
Week 1 University Prayer
Overview of the Course and Discussion of Requirements
I. Introduction to Animals
1. The Science of Zoology
Week 2 2. The History of Zoology
3. Specializations in Zoology
4. Zoology: An Ecological Perspective
Week No./ Time
Topics
Allotment
II. Levels of Organization in Animal Complexity
Week 3 1. Cells as Basic Unit of Life
2. Animal Tissues
3. Organ and Organ Systems
III. Animal Classification, Phylogeny and Organization
1. Classification of Organisms
Week 4 2. Evolutionary Relationships and Tree Diagrams
3. Patterns of Organization
4. Higher Animal Taxonomy
Week 5 IV. Unicellular Animal-Like Protists : Protozoan Taxonomy
V. Multi-Cellular and Tissue Levels of Organization : Invertebrates
1. Phylum Porifera
2. Phylum Cnidaria (Coelenterata)
3. Phylum Ctenophora
Week 6-8 4. The Triploblastic, Acoelomate Body Plan: Platyhelminthes
5. The Pseudocoelomate Body Plan: Aschelminthes
6. The Mollusks : Phylum Mollusca
7. Annelida: The Metameric Body Form
8. The Arthropods: Blueprint for Success
9. The Echinoderms
VI. Hemichordata: The Chordata – Vertebrates
1. The Fishes: Vertebrate Success in Water
Week 9 2. Amphibians: The First Terrestrial Vertebrates
3. Reptiles: The First Amniotes
4. The Birds: The Winged Creatures
5. The Mammals: The Warm-Blooded Vertebrates
VII. Anatomy of Vertebrates (Frog)
1. The Frog: A Representative Animal
Week 10 2. Taxonomic Classification of Frogs
3. Terminologies Used in Anatomy
4. Gross Anatomy of the Frog
5. Internal and External Structure of the Frog.
VIII. Integumentary System
Week 11 1. Characteristics of the frogs Integument
2. Morphology of the Frog’s Skin
XI: The Skeletal System
Week 12 1. Bones and Cartilages
2. Axial and Appendicular Skeleton
X. The Muscular System
1. Structure of Muscles
Week 13 2. Tissues
3. Types of Muscles
XI. Digestive System
1. Morphology of the Digestive System; Organs of the Digestion;
Week 14 Associated Organs
2. Absorption of Digested Food and Some other Substances
XII. Respiratory System
1. Morphology of the Respiratory System
 Week No./ Time
Topics
Allotment
Week 15 2. Exchange of Gases
3. External and Internal Respiration
XIII. The Circulatory System
Week 16 1. Morphology of the Circulatory System
2. Organs of Circulation
XIV. Urogenital System
Week 17 1. Morphology of the Urinary-Reproductive System
2. Organs of the Urinary System
3. Reproductive System
4. The Male Urinary-Reproductive System
5. The female Urinary-Reproductive System
XV. Nervous System
Week 18 1. Morphology of the Nervous System
2. Organs of the Nervous System
3. The Functional Unit of the Nervous System: The Neuron
4. The Central Nervous System: Brain and Spinal Cord

Requirements for the course:

1. Prelims
2. Midterm exam
3. Final Exam
4. Quizzes and assignments
5. Compilation of Complete Lab Activities

GRADING SYSTEM:

Sources of Evaluation First Term Second Term Final term

Class Standing: 12.5 % 12.5 % 25 %
Quizzes 3% 3% 6%
Assignments 1.5 % 1.5 % 3%
Film Review, Journal Critique, 1% 1% 2%
Oral/Written reports
Group Research/Projects 2% 2% 4%
Laboratory Reports 5% 5% 10 %
(Experiments)
Periodical Examinations 12.5 % 12.5 % 25 %
Total Percentage Per Term 25 % 25 % 50 %

• Note: Lecture (60%), Laboratory (40%), Weight distribution/ percentage of the different
components of class standing may vary depending the standards set by the teacher