BIOL210-10S2 (C) Semester Two 2010

Vertebrate Biology

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 12 July 2010
End Date: Sunday, 14 November 2010
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 25 July 2010
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 10 October 2010

Description

The comparative anatomy, general biology, ecology, physiology and evolutionary history of the vertebrates.

This is a 15 point course dealing with the biology and evolution of the phylum Chordata and
in particular the subphylum Vertebrata, animals with backbones. The course gives an
overview of the phylum highlighting form and function and gives information on evolutionary
relationships.

Lectures include:
• Origins of the phylum Chordata
• Life in the sea – origins and radiations of the fishes
• Movement onto land – the emergence of the tetrapods
• Locomotion – swimming, walking, flying
• Dinosaurs and other reptiles
• Birds and mammals – successful homeotherms

Goals of the Course
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 in particular demonstrate how evolutionary processes have shaped
this major group of animals.

Learning Outcomes
Students will:
• Have knowledge about the different classes within the phylum
• Know how the different classes are related
• Have knowledge of the chronology of the emergence of different groups of vertebrates
• Have information about the role of extinction events
• Have detailed knowledge of the anatomy of vertebrates
• Have detailed knowledge of the identifying features of vertebrates
• Be able to use the library to find research material and be able to use that information to write
 essays

Prerequisites

Timetable Note

Labs will be held in Room 308 of the Biology Building (formerly know as Zoology).  Labs commence at 2.10 pm

Course Coordinator

For further information see School of Biological Sciences Head of Department

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Essay 15%
Final Exam 55%
Practical Test 30%

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $650.00

International fee $3,000.00

* 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 BIOL210 Occurrences

  • BIOL210-10S2 (C) Semester Two 2010