BIOL2712 Animal Diversity

Dr Ryan Baring

2020

4.5

9 x 1-hour lectures per semester
9 x 1-hour tutorials per semester
3 x 2-hour workshops per semester
4 x 3-hour practicals per semester

BIOL1101 - Evolution of Biological Diversity

This topic will provide an overview of the diversity and interrelatedness of animal life. It emphasises the identification and taxonomy of animals, as well as the current diversity in animal form and function, within an evolutionary context. This topic incorporates an excursion to the S.A. museum to view the specimen reference collections and individual project work where students will develop their own marine or terrestrial invertebrate collections and identify species.

The aims of this topic are to provide:

A working knowledge of animal diversity and evolution
The ability to identify species from all the major animal phyla
Experience in sampling techniques and the creation of an invertebrate reference collection
Appreciation for the importance of taxonomy in biological research

At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:

Identify the main stages in animal evolution that have lead to the current diversity of marine and terrestrial organisms
Determine the taxonomic affinities of various animal groups and identify their key morphological, anatomical and physiological diagnostic features
Identify animals from taxonomic keys and museum collections
Create a suitably preserved and labelled specimen reference collection
Apply suitable sampling techniques for assessing invertebrate diversity in one or more habitats
Have gained an understanding of how ecosystems function and have a working knowledge of the relation among organisms in a variety of habitats
Gain experience in scientific report writing

Key dates and timetable

Timetable details for 2020 are no longer published.

This information is from current details held on the Student Information System. Please report any errors or omissions to the relevant College Office.