Note: Lecture topics are subject to revision
| Date | Topic | Readings |
| 8/30/05 | Introduction and Evolution | |
| 9/1/05 | Evolution and Systematics | Ch. 1 |
| 9/6/05 | Vertebrate Origins and Outgroups | Chs. 2, 3 |
| 9/8/05 | Sharks and Rays | Chs. 4, 5 |
| 9/13/05 | Fishes | Ch. 6 |
| 9/15/05 | Fishes | Ch. 6 |
| 9/20/05 | Tetrapod origins | Ch. 9 |
| 9/22/05 | Life on Land | Ch. 8 |
| 9/27/05 | Amphibians 1 | Ch. 10 |
| 9/29/05 | Exam I | |
| 10/4/05 | Vertebrate Feeding Mechanisms (Guest Lecture, Schwenk) | |
| 10/6/05 | Amphibians 2 | Ch. 10 |
| 10/11/05 | Amniote Origins and Synapsids | Chs. 9, 11 |
| 10/13/05 | Turtles | Ch. 12 |
| 10/18/05 | Lepidosaurs | Ch. 13 |
| 10/20/05 | Archosaurs | Chs. 7, 11 |
| 10/25/05 | Dinosaurs | Ch. 16 |
| 10/27/05 | Exam II | |
| 11/1/05 | Birds and Dinosaurs (Guest Lecture, Rubega) | Ch. 17 |
| 11/3/05 | Birds I | Ch. 17 |
| 11/8/05 | Birds II | Ch. 17 |
| 11/10/05 | Synapsids | Chs. 18, 19, 20 |
| 11/15/05 | Mammals | Chs. 20, 21 |
| 11/17/05 | Exam III | |
| 11/22/05 | Recess | |
| 11/24/05 | Recess | |
| 11/29/05 | Ectothermy and Endothermy | Chs. 14, 22 |
| 12/1/05 | Primates | Chs. 23, 24 |
| 12/6/05 | Social Systems | Ch. 23 |
| 12/8/05 | Conservation of Vertebrates | Chs. 19, 25 |
| 12/16/05 | Exam IV and Final Exam, 10:30 AM BSP 131 |