4. Biol 223: Vertebrate Biology

Professor: Richard Drushel
Times: Lectures on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30-10:20 a.m.; Labs on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

If you have ever wanted to have your very own disarticulated cat skeleton, Biol 223 is the class for you. The course, which is mostly laboratory based, has students dissect a number of vertebrates, including sharks and sheep brains. Students also get to examine skeletons from dogs, rabbits, salamanders, alligators, turtles and even whales.

“Currently, the only way that a pre-professional student is able to get skills in dissection is to take my course,” said Drushel, who explained that anatomy and dissection were removed from the biology core in favor of cell molecular biology, evolution and ecology.

Students in the course also have a laboratory notebook where they draw sketches of the various skeletons, improving their medical illustration skills. There is also a field trip to the Museum of Natural History, where students get to apply their newfound skills in examining the dinosaur skeletons.