Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
BR26820
Module Title
Vertebrate Zoology
Academic Year
2023/2024
Co-ordinator
Dr Peter Korsten
Semester
Semester 2
Reading List
View on Aspire
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Active learning skeletons report  (2000 words with data analysis)  30%
Semester Assessment Anatomical drawings portfolio (3 x labelled drawings)  30%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Short answer theory paper  40%
Supplementary Assessment Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that lead to failure of the module  60%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that lead to failure of the module  40%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Identify the major organs of vertebrates.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the functional anatomy of vertebrate organisms.

3. Demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of vertebrate organisms.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of vertebrate phylogenetics.

Brief description

‘Vertebrate Organisms’ will provide a suitable grounding in the core subject matter of vertebrate zoology, for students with zoological or veterinary interests. The anatomical plans of the major groups of vertebrates will be scrutinized and interpreted in terms of their functioning. The taxonomic diversity and evolutionary ancestry of the living vertebrates will also be an integral theme of the module.

Content

The module will open by considering the ‘structural blueprint' of the vertebrate organism, as a conceptual benchmark for key themes throughout the module. These themes will be the evolution, diversity, and functioning of the vertebrate blueprint. The major part of the lecture course will be divided into three unequal sized sections entitled: ‘Non-amniotic Vertebrates’ (fish and amphibians); ‘Synapsida’ (mammals); and ‘Sauropsida’ (crocodilians, pterosaurs, dinosaurs, birds, lepidosaurs and turtles). Anatomical features of each group of organisms will be reviewed in terms of the evolution, diversity, and function themes.

There will be three assessed dissection classes. Another practical will utilize the extensive collection of vertebrate skeletons in the IBERS Museum. Students will write a report on characters of a diversity of skeletons, thereby exploring the anatomical relationships discussed in supporting lectures for the dissection and practicals.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Quality evaluation of phylogenetic analysis for the Cladistics practical will require quantitative reasoning.
Communication Cladistics practical will be a research problem and require literature search and synthesis for the report.
Improving own Learning and Performance The series of four Anatomy practicals will provide the opportunity for critique and progressive improvement.
Information Technology Specialized software will need to be mastered for the Cladistics data analysis.
Personal Development and Career planning Career relevance of anatomical knowledge for animal care will be highlighted.
Problem solving Cladistics practical will involve solving phylogenetic relations using observations on biological specimens.
Research skills Cladistics practical will be a research problem and require literature search and synthesis for the report.
Subject Specific Skills Anatomical knowledge gained in the dissection and Cladistics classes is specific.
Team work Cladistics practical exercise will involve scoring of skeletal characters by a team.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5