Module Introduction

1
Introduction:
This topic does not only introduce The Phylum Chordata and previews vertebrate body
systems but also to orient the students about The Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and
Phylogeny course, to introduce the trust of the Mindanao State University, the College of Natural
Sciences and Mathematics, Biology Department and classroom policies. In this topic, the students
too are informed how they are rated, orient course requirement, use of laboratory facilities, and
importantly giving them precautionary measures in doing their laboratory exercises.
Objectives:
1. To innumerate the Mindanao State University System’s mission,
vision and objectives
2. To orient students the college department policies
3. To demonstrate the use of laboratory equipment
4. To give the learning process method
5. To give insight on how students are assessed of their class
performance
Outcome:
1. Inculcate concepts on the mission, vision, goals, and objectives of the university the
college and the Department
2. Combine basic information on the use and precautionary measures of laboratory
equipment.
3. Be aware of the class policies and grading systems.
4. Differentiate among: online, modular, and face to face learning process.

Outline Content

1. Orientation of University’s, College, and Department’s

MVO
2. Class policies
3. Course requirements
4. Grading System
 5. Precautionary measures on the use of laboratory facilities
6. Definition of blended learning process: One line, Modular
and Face to face
Pre Test: 20 items enumeration test
Lecture Proper:
Time allotment: 2 hours
Philosophy of MSU
MSU System is committed to the development of man and to the search for truth, virtue
and academic excellence.

Vision
MSU System aspires to be a Center of Excellence in Instruction, Research and Extension
transforming itself into a premier and globally competitive national peace university.

Mission
MSU System is committed to:
1. Lead in social transformation through peace education and integration of the
Muslims and other cultural minority groups into the mainstream society;
2. Ensure excellence in instruction, research development, innovation, extension, and
environmental education and discovery;
3. Advance national and international linkages through collaboration and,
4. Demonstrate greater excellence, relevance, and inclusiveness for Mindanao and the
Filipino nation.

MSU-Main Campus Goals

The MSU-Main Campus is committed to:
1. Promote and strengthen academic excellence in all levels of education to produce
graduates who are competent to meet future needs of humankind;

2. Enhance the visibility of the university through production of high-impact researches

and innovation;
3. Respond to globalization trends through partnerships and collaborative relationships
with national and international universities, research institutions, and industries;
4. Secure and preserve the University resources and facilities;
5. Integrate peace education programs in the University curricula;
6. Strengthen and sustain extension services;
7. Transform the University through investments in human resource development,
infrastructures, and equipment.

MSU-Main Campus Objectives

1. Promote and strengthen academic excellence in all levels of education:
Make the Curriculum relevant to the needs of society;
Support Faculty Development in graduate and post-graduate programs in
esteemed national and international academic institutions;
Upgrade instructional facilities and equipment;
Achieve Accreditation or Certification of the different degree programs of the
University to become Centers of Development and/or Centers of Excellence;

Nurture students’ critical thinking to be innovative, skilled, and productive

learners.
2. Enhance the visibility of University through production of high-impact researches
and innovations:
Require faculty to publish researches and patent inventions;
Enforce niche building programs;
Strengthen in-house reviews and other training programs;
Create international peer-reviewed journals;
Undertake high-impact, world-leading, and innovative research;
Establish and strengthen University Research Centers.
3. Respond to globalization trends through partnerships and collaborative
relationships with national and international universities, research institutions,
and industries:
Generates programs geared towards ASEAN and global integration;
 Link programs with educational institutions, industries, and other
stakeholders;
Organize national and international conferences, seminars, and other similar
engagements;
Become an authority and source of innovative technology and scientific
knowledge;
Acquire necessary information and technologies for global recognition;
Level up the financial and logistic support for partnerships and collaborative
programs.
4. Secure and preserve the University resources and facilities:
Strategize approaches for managing and securing the University resources
and facilities;
Allocate all unused lands for the establishment for relevant projects;

Formulate an efficient and sustainable land use policies and management

plan;

Establish a Land Use and Control Office to secure and preserve the properties
of the University.
5. Integrate peace education in the various programs of the University:
Promote peace consciousness and culture sensitivity;
Establish and enforce conflict resolution mechanisms;
Advocate participatory and inclusive peace programs across different sectors;
Cultivate the culture of peace among University constituents and the
surrounding communities;
Encourage multi-stakeholder peace building efforts for sustainable peace and
development in Mindanao.
6. Strengthen and sustain extension services:
 Strategically build partnerships and collaborations with the community for
resources generation;
Enhance technology generation and transfer for poverty alleviation in the
countryside;
Restore trust confidence among extortionists through effective and efficient
delivery of services;
Value socio-cultural, political, and environmental safeguards;
Effectively design information education, and communication (IEC) materials
and mechanisms for extension services.

7. Transform the University through investments in human resource development,

infrastructures, and equipment:
Improve professional and personal development among faculty and staff;

Nurture and strengthen the culture of fairness and objectivity in recruitment,

retention and promotion of faculty and staff;
Viably invest in faculty and student exchange programs with nationally and
internationally recognize institutions;
Equip the University with world-class instructional facilities and equipment;
Sustain infrastructure projects in the University;
Translate University research and innovation outputs into income generating
projects (IGP)
Vision
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics envisions to be the
leading institution in the MINSUPALA region on instruction, extension and research
and mathematics.
Mission
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics believes that as a unit in
the University, its missions are the following:
1. To offer the relevant and responsive programs in natural sciences and
mathematics in line with the goals of national development.
2. To develop and strengthen a culture and philosophy of science and mathematics.
3. To establish linkages with local and foreign institutions for resource generation.
4. To take an active role in promoting environmental management and conservation.
5. To engage in basic and applied research in mathematics, science and technology.
6. To produce highly competent, nationalistic and morally upright graduate

Goals
The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is committed to do the
following:
1. To provide students with adequate background in natural sciences and
mathematics.
2. To provide students with a strong foundation in their field of discipline relevant to
their pursuit of higher education.
3. To train students for service, particularly in the area of specialization in
sciences and ultimately contribute to the development of the entire nation.
4. To promote scientific research.
5. To upgrade the faculty member’s capabilities in instruction and research.
VISION, MISSION, OBJECTIVES OF BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Vision
The Biology Department envisions to be the leading department in the MINSUPALA
Region on instruction, extension and research and development in biological sciences.
Mission
Being a structural unit of the university, the Biology Department has the following
missions:
1. To offer the relevant and responsive programs on biological sciences in line with the
goals of national development.
2. To develop and strengthen a culture and philosophy of biological sciences.
3. To establish linkages with local and foreign institutions for resource generation.
4. To take an active role in promoting environmental management and conservation.
5. To engage in basic and applied research in biology and technology.
6. To produce highly competent, nationalistic and morally upright graduates.
Objectives
1. To produce graduates who can upgrade, strengthen, and expand instructional and

research programs in the biological sciences in the MINSUPALA Region.

2. To produce graduates who can lead and promote the management and conservation
of the environment particularly the biological resources of the MINSUPALA
Region.
3. To produce biologists who can take an active role in local, regional and national
projects for social and economic upliftment of communities comprising the
MINSUPALA Region.
4. To produce graduates who are academically-prepared for graduate studies in
biology and related fields or for professional studies in the medicine field.
5. To produce graduates who can exercise critical and scientific thinking skills in
relation to biological issues of human concern such as cloning, the human genome
project, construction of transgenic individuals, family planning, euthanasia, and
global warming.
6. To produce graduates who will holistically promote human life and social
relationships of the highest quality based on mutual understanding, respect and
concern for the common good.
Class policies
Grading System and General Guidelines
1. Final Grade shall be computed based on he following criteria:

Lecture Grade ………………………………………………………………… 60%

Major exam…………………. 40%
Quizzes ……………………….. 20%
Laboratory Grade ……………………………………………………………. 40%
Laboratory Exam ………… 30%
Quizzes…………………..…….10% _____
100%

Policies number 2-11

2. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced. No special quiz be given.
3. All major exams will be announced, Special lecture exams shall not be given except
to students who are on official business for the university which is impossible to
be rescheduled, or serious health problems, e,g, serious illness or physically
incapacity due to accident. In case student is on official business, a copy of Special
Order should be presented to the instructor before the exam date. In case of
illness, the instructor should be notified a day before the exam and a Medical
Certificate should be presented to the instructor as soon as the student gets well.
4. No student shall be given a special laboratory exam.
5. Students are the ones who will provide some of the laboratory materials assigned
to them, such as, specimens of shark, fish, toad, turtle bird, and cat.
6. Instruments such as microscope and other materials like prepared slides are to be
signed out from the microscope room, after presenting the official University ID to
the one in charge.
7. Chemicals like embalming fluid is to be signed out from the preparation room.
8. Failure to return the materials, apparatus, equipment and prepared slides and
models on time, the student concerned should notify the laboratory assistant on
duty.
9. If borrowed items are lost or destroyed, the cost of replacement or repair shall be
charged against the borrower.
10. All laboratory tables must be cleaned up before leaving the lab room.
 11. No final examination be given to student without presenting his laboratory
clearance from the four lab assistants of the department.

Course requirements:
I. Supplies
1. Dissecting instruments necessary for the course are:
2. Medium-sized scalpel.
3. Fine scissors.
4. Coarse scissors.
5. Stout probe for dissecting. Long slender probe for probing.
6. Medium-sized forceps with straight points.
7. A towel and a laboratory coat or gown to protect the clothes are desirable.
8. Bone scissors or forceps will be provided in the laboratory.
9. Prescribed green- color- laboratory-gown.
II. Drawing materials necessary for the course are:
1. Drawing paper, No. 6. This paper must be stiff and hard and have a smooth surface.
2. Hard drawing pencil, 6 or 8H.
3. Eraser.
4. Ruler.
5. Red, yellow, and blue pencils.
6. Pad of emery paper to sharpen the hard pencil.

III. Obtain the supplies named above and present yourself with a
complete outfit at the first laboratory period. Do not handicap yourself at the start by
neglecting to provide yourself with the necessary materials.
IV. Drawings
1. All drawings must be made with a hard pencil on good quality drawing paper, unless
otherwise specified. Colors are to be used only when specified in the directions.
Shading, crosshatching, etc., are undesirable and are to be avoided. Drawings made
otherwise than as here specified will not be accepted.
2. Drawings are to be line drawings only, that is, only the outlines of the structures are to
be drawn. Every line must represent a structure actually present on the specimen. Lines
must be smooth and clean. Correct proportions are of the utmost importance and are to
be obtained by use of a ruler. In making a drawing it is best to outline the drawing first
with very light lines, correcting these until accurate appearance and proportions are
obtained. Then erase the light lines until they are barely visible and go over them with a
well-sharpened pencil, making the final lines firm and clear.
3. Drawings are not to be diagrammatized unless so specified. Many students do not seem
to understand the difference between a diagram and a drawing. The latter shows what
the object actually looks like; the former is for purposes of explanation only.
4. All drawings must be made directly from the object with the object before the student
and completed in the laboratory. The making of rough sketches in the laboratory to be
"improved" elsewhere is unscientific, inaccurate, and absolutely not permitted.
5. Remember that the prime requisite of a drawing is accuracy. A drawing is for the
instructor a record of what you have actually seen upon your specimen. If you have not
dissected the structures called for, then it is obvious that you cannot draw them
accurately. Poor laboratory work invariably reflects itself in the quality of the drawings.
6. Drawings must contain all of the details mentioned in the manual. If, after honest effort
and with the aid of the laboratory assistants, you are unable to identify certain structures,
omit them from the drawing and make a note to the effect that you were unable to find
them. An unreasonable amount of time should not be spent in locating small or
unimportant details.
7. All drawings must be thoroughly labeled. Every drawing must be completely labeled
regardless of whether the same structures have already been labeled in some preceding
drawing. Labels are to be written or printed in hard pencil parallel to the top and bottom
edges of the page and lines drawn with a ruler from the labels to the parts indicated.
8. Draw on the right-hand surface of the page only.
9. Remember that the laboratory instructors are familiar with all of the figures in the
various textbooks and that undue resemblance between your drawings and such figures
will reflect upon your honesty and raise a suspicion that you have not been exerting
yourself in the laboratory.
10. The drawings will be called in at intervals. The dates on which they are due will be
announced in advance by the laboratory instructors.
Notes and Quizzes
1. No notes are required in this course. The notebooks will consist of drawings only.
2. Oral and written quizzes upon the subject-matter of the laboratory work are to be
expected at any time. These quizzes will deal with the anatomy of the animals you are
dissecting and with comparative anatomy. You will be expected to know thoroughly the
animals and materials which you dissect and study in the laboratory, and to be able to
compare them with one another, stating resemblances and differences. You will be
required to exhibit your dissections and to be able to identify the structures present on
the dissections.
3. An important quiz will follow the completion of each section of the laboratory work
and will deal with that section.
4. Reading in the textbooks of comparative anatomy is expected as a part of the
laboratory work. Quizzes will include material in such textbooks.

Dissection
1. Dissection does not consist in cutting an animal to pieces. Dissection consists in
separating the parts of an animal so that they are more clearly visible, leaving the parts
as intact as practicable.
2. In dissecting an animal very little cutting is required. Cleaning away the connective
tissue which binds together and conceals structures is the chief process in dissection. In
doing this, use blunt instruments, as the probe, forceps, or fingers. Avoid the use of
scalpel and scissors. You will probably -cut something you will need later on. In short, do
not cut; separate the parts.
3. Have the animal firmly fastened. Smaller animals are generally pinned to wax bottomed
dissecting pans. Larger animals, such as are used in the greater part of this course, are
tied to screw eyes in the corners of the dissecting pan. Put the particular part you are
dissecting on a stretch.
4. Do your own dissecting. Do not watch somebody else do it. Begin at the most easily
accessible point of the system you are studying and follow out your structure, cleaning
away the tissues that conceal it.
5. Exercise patience and care. Clean the structures by small portions.
6. Follow the directions precisely. Do not cut anything or remove anything unless
specifically directed to do so. 7. Your laboratory grade is partly determined by the kind of
dissections you make.
V. Materials
1. But one specimen of each animal is allowed to each student. Each student will be given
the necessary specimens and will retain them to the end of the course. Do not discard
any animal until the manual so directs.
 2. The smaller materials which are provided for the class as a whole should be returned
to the bottles or jars from which they came as soon as you have finished studying them.
3. The larger specimens will be kept in large cans. Each table will be allotted the necessary
number of cans. Students will attach tags bearing their names to their specimens and
keep them in the cans when they are not in use.
4. Specimens must always be kept moist and must never be allowed to dry up, as this
ruins them for dissection. Do not go away and leave your specimens out on the table.
When ready to leave the laboratory, wrap the animals in moistened cheesecloth provided
in the laboratory and put them into the cans. See that the cans are always covered.
5. Students who, through their own carelessness, render their specimens unfit for further
dissection will have to pay for new specimens.
6. The skeletal material provided in this course is expensive. Handle it with care. Be
particularly careful with skeletons preserved in fluid.

About the course

This is a course of functional and comparative morphology with a developmental and
evolutionary perspective. This course is designed for biology, zoology majors, professional
students in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, psychology, and the allied health
sciences, and for liberal arts students interested in the history, development, and
structure of the human body.

Activity: Reading of University, College and Department Manual, Laboratory Visitation,

Modifications of standard laboratory procedures in accordance to the laboratory
equipment availability.

References:
Course Syllabus
Manual of MSU Academic Catalog
CNSM Catalog
Biology Department Catalog

Assessment: (Major Exam)

Review of Answer Key for the justification of the answers of the examination