Skip to main content

Course Support

Rutgers Zoological Collections

The Rutgers Zoological Collections supports classes across the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources (EENR) at Rutgers University. Through curated specimens, laboratory integration, and field-based instruction, students engage directly with biodiversity, evolution, and ecology in action.

Our collections provide specimen-based teaching materials to many classes but emphasize those below.  Additional courses in the EENR major are available on the EENR Course Page.

Core Supported Courses

Invertebrate Zoology (11:216:324)  Invert Zoo Example Syllabus

This course examines the diversity, evolution, and biology of invertebrate animals, which represent the vast majority of animal life on Earth.

Topics include:

  • Major invertebrate groups (arthropods, mollusks, annelids, and others)
  • Evolutionary relationships and phylogenetic classification
  • Morphological and functional adaptations
  • Ecological roles of invertebrate species

Students develop a strong understanding of animal diversity through comparative and evolutionary frameworks.

Vertebrate Zoology (11:216:325)  Vert Zoo Example Syllabus

This course explores the classification, evolution, and natural history of vertebrate animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Topics include:

  • Comparative anatomy and physiology
  • Evolutionary relationships among vertebrate groups
  • Life history strategies and ecological roles
  • Identification and study of vertebrate diversity

The course includes specimen-based laboratory instruction and emphasizes hands-on learning.

Ornithology (11:216:323)  EENR Course Page

Ornithology is the study of birds, focusing on their biology, behavior, evolution, and ecology.

Topics include:

  • Bird anatomy, flight, and physiology
  • Migration, communication, and behavior
  • Evolutionary origins of birds from reptiles
  • Field identification of local and migratory species

Students engage through classroom and field trips while studying avian diversity.

Principles of Ecology (11:216:351)  PEco Example Lab Syllabus  PEco Lecture Syllabus

This course introduces ecological principles and their real-world applications in environmental science and conservation.

Topics include:

  • Population growth and regulation
  • Species interactions and community structure
  • Ecosystem function and nutrient cycling
  • Applied ecology and conservation problem-solving

The course emphasizes using ecological science to address environmental challenges.

Principles of Evolution (11:216:486)  PEvo Example Syllabus

This advanced course provides a comprehensive overview of evolutionary theory and mechanisms.

Topics include:

    • Natural selection and adaptation
    • Genetic drift and gene flow
    • Speciation and macroevolution
    • Evolutionary genetics and molecular evolution

Students explore how evolutionary processes shape biodiversity across all levels of life.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

The Rutgers Zoological Collections also provides hands-on and immersive educational experiences, including:

  • Integration of museum specimens into coursework
  • Laboratory-based comparative anatomy exercises
  • Field-based ecology and biodiversity observation
  • Bird identification and avian ecology fieldwork
  • Tours of the zoological collections
  • Student-led curation and research projects

Educational Goals

The Rutgers Zoological Collections works with these courses and instructors within the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of biological diversity, ecological systems, and evolutionary processes. By connecting classroom instruction with real specimens and field-based learning, students gain a deeper appreciated of organism and the hands-on training to become expert naturalists and observant, inquisitive ecologists.