Education
Vertebrate Osteology Course Offered every other Spring Semester
Biology 495 or Anthropology 495 ... see you Spring 2008!
This interdisciplinary course consists of an intensive introduction to identification
techniques and interpretive methods used in the analysis of vertebrate osteological
remains from archaeological sites, forensic cases and from natural accumulations.This
course emphasizes the post-cranial skeleton and deals in large part with the identification
of fragmentary remains.
The lecture component covers topics such as:
- techniques used in the identification of vertebrate remains
- functions of bone
- taphonomy
- quatification techniques
- verebrate taxonomy
- skeletal trauma and pathology
- methods of interpreting osteological remains
The lab component involves:
- hands-on identification of vertebrate osteological remains, emphasizing the mammalian skeleton, but also includes the avian, herpetile, and fish skeleton
- case studies of skeletal remains from a vartiety of sources, such as forensic cases, for class identification and analysis
- one or more field trips to local sites of interest
Some UM courses that rely on the museum collections:
Diversity of Life Laboratory (BIO 104) - offered Spring semesters (2cr)
This lab covers the diversity of life, including prokaryotes, viruses, protista, fungi, plants and animals
including structure and evolutionary relationships.
Ornithology (BIO 304) - offered Spring semesters (4cr)
This course covers the classification, structure, evolution, behavior and ecology of birds
Mammology (BIO 306) - offered Fall semesters (4cr)
This course covers the evolution, systematics, anatomy, physiology and ecology of mammals
Biology and Management of Fishes (BIO 308) - offered Fall semesters (4cr)
This course covers the Diversity, adaptations and ecology of fishes. Analysis and management
of fish populations and communities.
Wildlife Techniques (WBIO 373) - offered Spring semesters (2cr)
This Lab and field oriented class covers commonly-used wildlife research and management
techniques.
Anthropological Museology (ANTH 483) - offered Spring semesters, odd-numbered years (3cr). Offered through the UM
Anthropology Department, this course is an introduction to anthropological museums, museum work, and museum theory.
Zoological & Osteological Resources on the Internet:
Animal Diversity Web: Created by the University of Michigan Zoology Museum, this site contains excellent resources for
species classification, photos, illustrations, desriptions, sounds, citations, and much, much more!
Zooarchaeology Homepage: The World Wide Web's Virtual Library for the Archaeology of Animals
Skulls Unlimited International: The World's Leading Supplier of Osteological Specimens
Faunmap: An electronic database for the late Quaternary distribution of mammal species in the United States
California Academy of Sciences: SKULLS - excellent educational resource with wonderful photos
Museum Resources on the Internet:
Museum Employment Resource Center: Excellent place to checkout vacancies at Museums and other Cultural Rescource
Institutions, post job annoncements, checkout museum studies programs and other cultural resource information
American Association of Museums: This association represents the museum community, addresses its needs, and
enhances its ability to serve the public.
TOURS
Although the Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum has some public
exhibits and continues to add more each year, we still remain
primarily a research and teaching collection and not a public display
museum. However we offer tours of the museum to school and
community groups.
Tours are conducted in cooperation with the
Montana Natural History Center
To schedule a tour, call 327-0405!
