Zoology

Welcome to Zoology with Mr. Schnacke. This website is designed (in progress) to be a one stop shop for all slide sets, practice problems, and study guides. You can access the whole course at any time during the year. There are links to helpful videos, websites, simulations, and questions boards.

Course Description:

Zoology is a full year course designed to prepare high school students for college. This course is centered around the animal branch of the tree of life using an evolutionary framework. This course will include hands-on learning, reading, projects, and technology. Students will learn the life sciences through problem-based learning, inquiry, and applying what they’ve learned to relevant, real-world issues. Students will dissect preserved specimens in this course; there will be an alternative dissection assignment if a student cannot participate in a dissection for any reason.

Course Standards:

2020 Colorado High School Science, Standard 2: Life Sciences (LS) and Earth Sciences (ESS)

  • LS4: Organisms interact with the living and nonliving components of the environment to obtain matter and energy.

  • LS7: Organisms interact in groups to benefit the species.

  • LS8: The characteristics of one generation are dependent upon the genetic information inherited from previous generations.

  • LS9: Variation between individuals results from genetic and environmental factors.

  • LS10: Evidence of common ancestry and diversity between species can be determined by examining variations including genetic, anatomical and physiological differences.

  • LS12: The environment influences survival and reproduction of organisms over multiple generations.

  • ESS8: The biosphere and Earth’s other systems have many interconnections that cause a continual co-evolution of Earth’s surface and life on it.


Course Topics:

  • Unit 1: Introduction and Basic Foundational Concepts

    • Definition of an Animal, Phylogenetics, Evolution Review, Fossils

  • Unit 2: Animal Behavior Foundational Concepts

    • Scientific Perspectives

    • Mating, Living in Groups, Finding Food, Anti-predator Behavior, Communication and Learning

    • Behavioral Ecology

  • Unit 3: Animal Tree of Life: Basal Animals

    • Basic Development, Protists, Poriferans, Radiates

  • Unit 4: Animal Tree of Life: Protostomes Part 1

    • Spiralians

  • Unit 5: Animal Tree of Life: Protostomes Part 2

    • Ecdysozoans

  • Unit 6: Animal Tree of Life: Deuterostomes Part 1

    • Echinoderms, Basal Chordates, Chordates Part 1

  • Unit 7: Animal Tree of Life: Deuterostomes Part 2

    • Chordates Part 2

  • Final Projects:

    • Animal Design Project

      • Final project creating creatures and behaviors

    • Animal Engineering Project

      • Final project using biomimicry to solve an engineering problem


Required Materials:

  • Notebook, sketchbook, or digital program that you can use to draw on

  • Access to Google Drive applications for lab write-ups and collaborative work

  • Pencil and Pen

  • Computer and Power Cord

OPTIONAL TEXTBOOK: Integrated Principles of Zoology OR Zoology OR Animal Diversity