BIOL215-19S2 (C) Semester Two 2019

Origins and Classification of Life

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 15 July 2019
End Date: Sunday, 10 November 2019
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 26 July 2019
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 27 September 2019

Description

This course takes a broad view of the ways biological diversity can be described and classified, and its origins understood. Systematics is the scientific discipline that encompasses the description, identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms (Taxonomy) and the reconstruction of their macro-evolutionary history (Phylogenetics). Knowing the identity and evolutionary relationships of organisms is crucial to any biological study, but functional classifications are also important. This course is an introduction to the methodology and principles of systematics across all forms of biodiversity (bacteria, plants, fungi, protists, and animals), from morphological to next-generation DNA-based approaches and including functional methods.

This course takes a broad view of the ways biological diversity can be described and classified, and its origins understood.

Systematics is the scientific discipline that encompasses the description, identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms (Taxonomy) and the reconstruction of their macro-evolutionary history (Phylogenetics).

Knowing the identity and evolutionary relationships of organisms is crucial to any biological study, but functional classifications are also important.

This course is an introduction to the methodology and principles of systematics across all forms of biodiversity (bacteria, plants, fungi, protists, and animals), from morphological to next-generation DNA-based approaches and including functional methods.

Learning Outcomes

  • At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
  • Explain the relevance to biological sciences and society of 1) discovering and documenting biodiversity, 2) taxonomic classifications, and 3) knowledge about evolutionary history and relationships (assessment tasks: quizzes, final exam)
  • Understand key methods and principles of biological classification and nomenclature (assessment tasks: quizzes, final exam)
  • Collect, document, and describe biological specimens (assessment tasks: lab report, project presentation)
  • Be familiar with a wide range of morphological and genetic taxonomic identification tools (assessment tasks: quizzes, lab report, project presentation, final exam)
  • Generate DNA sequence data from soil, plant, and fungal specimens (assessment tasks: lab report)
  • Perform phylogenetic analyses using DNA sequence data (assessment tasks: lab report, project presentation)
  • Use a metabarcoding approach to study communities (assessment tasks: quizzes, lab report, project presentation, final exam)

    Skills register
    The following skills are developed in this course:
  • Identification skills used for plants, fungi, and bacteria. Essential in organismal biology, microbiology, ecology, conservation, and biosecurity.
  • Work safely in a molecular lab and comply with PC2 containment regulations. Important for careers that include lab work.
  • Molecular genetic laboratory skills. Important for careers that include lab work.
  • Interpretation of phylogenetic trees and reconstructing evolutionary relationships. Important in fields of evolutionary biology such as genetics, bioinformatics, systematics, molecular ecology, microbiology.
  • Use of biological classifications and scientific names. Essential skill in any field in biology and conservation.
  • Independent and self-motivated learning. A life-skill that is important in any career.
  • Finding, understanding, and using information in literature and on the internet. These are very general skills that are essential in many careers.
  • Written and oral communication. Many employers require employees to have good communication skills.

Prerequisites

BIOL113, or
with the approval of the Head of School. RP: BIOL112

Recommended Preparation

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Pieter Pelser

Lecturers

Ian Dickie and Matthew Stott

Lab Coordinators

Thomas Evans and Reijel Gardiner

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Final Exam 40%
Lab Report 1 15%
Lab Report 2 15%
Project presentation 10%
Learn quizzes 20%

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $883.00

International fee $4,000.00

* 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 .

All BIOL215 Occurrences

  • BIOL215-19S2 (C) Semester Two 2019
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