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This class will introduce you to the evolutionary patterns, ecology, behavior, physiology and taxonomy of mammals. We will rely on a comparative, topical approach (i.e., not taxonomic) to emphasize the major evolutionary trends and mechanisms underlying mammalian diversity. At the end of the class, you should be able to explain major features in mammalian evolution, to identify any mammalian specimen to Family and to suggest its food habits, locomotory mode and habitat from an examination of teeth, jaw structure or postcranial skeleton.

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 1) Summarize knowledge and draw inferences regarding the biology, phylogeny, and diversity of mammals 2) Identify any mammalian specimen to Family and draw inferences about natural history from an examination of morphological characteristics 3) Formulate hypotheses and interpret scientific graphs and data 4) Find and synthesize peer-reviewed literature and communicate these findings in writing and orally 5) Discuss current scientific topics (including primary literature) with peers in a respectful manner 6) Identify and discuss career paths in biology generally and mammalogy specifically