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The comparative anatomy, general biology, ecology, physiology and evolutionary history of the vertebrates.
The course aims to introduce students to the phylum Chordata – animals with backbones. It will provide information on the phylogenetic relationships of the different groups that comprise the phylum and demonstrate how evolutionary processes have shaped this major group of animals.Hōtaka / Course contentLectures include:• Origins of the phylum Chordata• Life in the sea – origins and radiations of the fishes• Agnathan, Chondrichthyan and Osteichthyan fish• Movement onto land – the emergence of the tetrapods• Locomotion – swimming, walking, flying• Dinosaurs and other reptiles• Birds and evolution of flight and feathers• Mammals – successful homeotherms• Extinction and the future of the vertebrates
As a Student in this Course, I will:• Have knowledge about the different classes within the phylum and their phylogenetic relationships (assessment tasks: lab reports, lab exam and final exam; GA: Mastery of discipline)• Have knowledge of the chronology of the emergence of different groups of vertebrates, and key events in their evolution (assessment tasks: lab reports, lab exam and final exam; GA: Mastery of discipline; Globally aware)• Understand the role of extinction events in shaping the diversity of vertebrates (assessment tasks: final exam; GA: Mastery of discipline; Globally aware)• Have detailed knowledge of the anatomy of vertebrates, and how form relates to function in an evolutionary context (assessment tasks: lab reports, lab exam and final exam; GA: Mastery of discipline)• Have detailed knowledge of the identifying features of vertebrates (assessment tasks: project, lab reports, lab exam and final exam; GA: Mastery of discipline; analytical, critical thinking and problem solving)• Have detailed knowledge on the diversity of vertebrates in New Zealand, their evolutionary history and how they have been affected by human settlement (assessment tasks: lab reports, lab exam, final exam; GA: Mastery of discipline; Biculturally competent and confident; Globally aware)• Be able to use the library to find research material and to use that information to write reports (assessment tasks: project; GA: Mastery of discipline; employable, innovative and enterprising; Communication)Transferable SkillsAs a Student in this Course, you will develop the following skills:• An ability to dissect a range of vertebrate animals, and thus have the technical knowledge and skills to examine the internal anatomy of any animal (Critically competent; Employable, innovative and enterprising)• Synthesising information from primary literature (Critically competent; Employable, innovative and enterprising)• Writing a report on findings. Communication of science is fundamental to its use and advancement (Critically competent; Employable, innovative and enterprising)• An understanding of the diversity of the New Zealand vertebrate fauna and how it arose (Critically competent; Biculturally competent and confident)
BIOL113
Students must attend one activity from each section.
TimetableLectures:Times and locations of lectures may change at short notice. Please monitor the University web site for up-to-date information. At the time of writing lectures are scheduled for:• Mondays: 2 pm to 3 pm • Tuesdays: 11 am to 12 pm Labs:There will be two lab streams: one on Tuesday (2 pm to 5 pm) and one on Thursday (10 am to 1 pm). Check the Course Information System to confirm the details of times. All labs will be held in the West Building (room 505) and run for 3 hours each day. Students will allocate themselves or will be allocated to one of three laboratory streams (allocation will open approximately two weeks before term begins, so if you have a preference get in quick!).The labs run for the six weeks of term 3 only. Lab coats are required at all labs. There are three themes to the labs:. Project lab: Our first lab will introduce your semester-long project, as well as some general information on scientific drawings and presentations. . Dissection: We will dissect a pigeon. You will need dissecting gear (some gear is available in the lab). . Phylogeny: This will be covered using a series of 4 demonstration labs (fish, amphibians and reptiles, birds, and mammals). Students are required to complete a workbook associated with each demonstration lab; these are each worth 5% of your final grade (20% in total). It is compulsory to wear a lab coat and safety glasses in the laboratory.Feedback from 2025 Course Survey (scores out of 5)The following scores were obtained in feedback by students at the end of the course in 2025. Q1 - The materials provided helped me to understand what was required to succeed in this course:4.57Q2 - The organisation of this course helped me learn: 4.55Q3 - I found the workload was appropriate to the level of the course: 4.57Q4 - I found the assessments appropriate for the course: 4.52Q5 - Where I sought feedback on my assessments, I found it helpful: 4.48Feedback from 2019 Course Survey (scores out of 5)The following scores were obtained in feedback by students at the end of the course in 2019. Q1 - The materials provided helped me to understand what was required to succeed in this course: 4.4Q2 - The organisation of this course helped me learn: 4.53Q3 - I found the workload was appropriate to the level of the course: 4.57Q4 - I found the assessments appropriate for the course: 4.43Q5 - Where I sought feedback on my assessments, I found it helpful: 4.37
Alex Augustus Grabham and Stevie Florent
Robyn Hetem
Details of the project and instructions will be available in a separate handout that can be found on the Learn site. The hand in date for the project is Monday 12 October 2026. Lab assessment is through (1) workbooks that are submitted for marking and (2) a practical test (1.5 hours during the first week of term 4). Please ensure that you are working effectively throughout the entire 6-week lab period. Ask the demonstrators to help you and feel free to show any work to the lab supervisor. The test will examine material that you have encountered during the lab sessions, so you need to attend the labs and study the material. It is very difficult to try and revise for a practical exam if you have not done the practical work. If you miss a lab due to illness, contact a course coordinator to see if you can complete the lab during an alternative lab slot.
Pough, F. Harvey. , Janis, Christine M., Heiser, John B; Vertebrate life ; 9th ed; Pearson, 2013 (9th or 10th Edition).
Library portalCourse Outline Learn Site
Domestic fee $1,099.00
International fee $5,388.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Biological Sciences .