The Diversity of Fishes: Classification, Anatomy and Morphology

Why study fish? They play a critical role in our understanding of evolution, as the first creatures with brains and bony jaws. Fish also represent an incredibly diverse species, making up half of all vertebrates alive today. They live everywhere from mountain streams to ocean depths. Despite this diversity, it is easy for scientists to determine what is and what is not a fish. This course demonstrates how ichthyologists classify fish through the study of evolution, diverse ecosystems and biogeography. Students gain scientific research skills that they can apply to the study of fishes, other organisms and to other scientific disciplines. These skills include biological classification, observation methodologies, examining evidence, interpreting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. The course utilizes a diverse array of Museum instructional resources in a structured distance-learning environment. This course is offered in partnership with the American Museum of Natural History.

Fall, Spring