I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Herpetology

2. Course Prefix & Number:
NATR 2110

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 2

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course is an introductory class in Herpetology, that covers classification, and characteristics of amphibians and Reptiles, that include the different kinds frogs, salamanders, turtles, lizards, and snakes.  Discussion of the species of Minnesota is an important aspect of this course, but many other species are included as well.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Name of Institution	Course Number and Title	Credits
University of Wisconsin Steven’s Point	Biology 376	2

2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:

Name of Institution	Date of Acceptance	Discipline/Area/Program of Transfer
University of Wisconsin Steven’s Point	2007-2009	Biology

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Natural Resources Technology, AAS

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Present a topic through power point that demonstrates their understanding of the classification and the characteristics and habits of one of the major topics that include turtles, frogs, and snakes.
Utilize appropriate technology	Use technology such as power point in giving presentations, but also GPS and GIS to locate and map sightings in the local area.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Compare and contrast the differences between different species of frogs, turtles and snakes.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Compare different species of frogs, turtles and snakes of Minnesota.
• Distinguish the different calls of our various frogs.
• Explain terminology associated with different species of frogs, turtles and snakes through their presentations.
• Describe the various reptilian reproductive systems.
• Describe different feeding behaviors employed in reptilian species.
• Describe the various digestive systems in reptile species.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Scientific Classification
• Scientific nomenclature
• Taxonomy of Minnesota species
2. Characteristics of amphibians
• Amphibian reproduction systems
• Salamanders
• Characteristics of frogs and toads species of Minnesota
• Tree Frogs and True Frogs
• Anuran calls - identification of different species, phenology of calling, and habitat associations
• Frog surveys - standardized sampling techniques and survey windows
3. Reptile Characteristics
• Reptilian reproductive systems
• Turtles
• Lizards
• Snakes
4. Student Presentations of Reptiles and Amphibians of the World