BIOL 3725 - Mammalogy
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43629,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Michael Butcher
Email: mtbutcher@ysu.edu
Course Description
Mammalogy is a lecture course that provides a broad overview of the structure, function, evolutionary history, behavior, ecology, and classification of mammals. Mammals are incredibly diverse, and thus, accordingly, all orders of mammals will be studied from several biological points of view (morphological, physiological, etc.). This course will improve your understanding of mammalian convergence and divergence primarily through lectures (PowerPoint), and periodic use of anatomical models and discussions of primary literature. This course is also designed to meet pre-veterinary requirements, although non-domesticated species will be the primary focus of the lecture material and point-of-view discussions.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Mammalogy 6th Ed. 2011 | Vaughan, Ryan, and Czaplewski. | 978-1284032093 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | 8/25 | Chapter 1 | Intro to Mammalogy | |
| Thu | 8/27 | Chapter 2 | Mammalian Origins | Review Lecture 1 |
| Tue | 9/1 | Chapter 3 | Mammalian Characteristics 1 | Review Lecture 2 |
| Thu | 9/3 | Chapter 3 | Mammalian Characteristics 2 | Review Lecture 3 |
| Tue | 9/8 | Chapter 5 | Monotremes | Review Lecture 4 |
| Thu | 9/10 | Chapter 6 Chapter 25 |
Marsupials 1 | Review Lecture 5 |
| Tue | 9/15 | Chapter 6 | Marsupials 2 | Review Lecture 6 |
| Thu | 9/17 | Chapter 7 Chapter 20 |
Dawn of Eutherian Mammals Exam Review |
Review Lecture 7 |
| Tue | 9/22 | Chapter 8 | Afrotheria 1 (Tenrecs, Elephant shrews, Aardvark) | |
| Thu | 9/24 | Exam 1 | Review Lectures 1-8 | |
| Tue | 9/29 | Chapter 8 Chapter 9 |
Afrotheria 2 (Proboscideans) | Review Lecture 9 |
| Thu | 10/1 | Chapter 9 Chapter 24 |
Afrotheria 3, Body Mass Scaling | Review Lecture 10 |
| Tue | 10/6 | Chapter 10 Chapter 21 |
Xenarthra 1 (Sloths) + Pholidota (Pangolins) | Review Lecture 11 |
| Thu | 10/8 | Chapter 10 Chapter 21 |
Xenarthra 2 (Armadillos & Anteaters) | Review Lecture 12 |
| Tue | 10/13 | Chapter 11 | Erinaceomorpha + Soricomorpha | Review Lecture 13 |
| Thu | 10/15 | Chapter 14 | Dermoptera + Scandentia | Review Lecture 14 |
| Tue | 10/20 | Exam 2 | Review Lectures 9-15 | |
| Thu | 10/22 | Chapter 12 | Primates 1 (Lemurs & Lorises) | |
| Tue | 10/27 | Chapter 12 Chapter 24 |
Primates 2 (Monkeys & Apes) | Review Lecture 16 |
| Thu | 10/29 | Chapter 13 | Rodentia 1 (Sciuromorpha) | Review Lecture 17 |
| Tue | 11/3 | Chapter 13 | Rodentia 2 (Myomorpha) | Review Lecture 18 |
| Thu | 11/5 | Chapter 13 | Rodentia 3 (Hystricomorpha) + Lagomorpha) | Review Lecture 19 |
| Tue | 11/10 | Chapter 16 Chapter 21 |
Carnivora 1 (Feliformia) | Review Lecture 20 |
| Thu | 11/12 | Chapter 16 Chapter 23 |
Carnivora 2 (Caniformia) + Pinnipedia | Review Lecture 21 |
| Tue | 11/17 | Exam 3 | Review Lectures 16-22 | |
| Thu | 11/19 | Chapter 19 Chapter 21 |
Cetacea | |
| Tue | 11/24 | Chapter 17 Chapter 27 |
Hoofed Animals 1 (Perissodactyla) | Review Lecture 23 |
| Thu | 11/26 | Thanksgiving Holiday: No Lecture | ||
| Tue | 12/1 | Chapter 18 | Hoofed Animals 2 (Artiodactyla) | Review Lecture 24 |
| Thu | 12/3 | Chapter 15 Chapter 22 |
Chiroptera 1 (Bats & Echolocation) Chiroptera 2 (Vampire Bats) |
Review Lecture 25 |
| Tue | 12/8 | Exam 4 | Review Lecture 23-27 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.