Module Information
Module Identifier
BR11520
Module Title
Animal Diversity
Academic Year
2014/2015
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Mutually Exclusive
Mutually Exclusive
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Other | 1 x 4 hour field trip (4 hours) - semester 2 |
| Lecture | 2-3 x 1 hour lectures/workshops per week (55 hours) - across semester 1 & 2 |
| Practical | 1 x 4 hour practical (4 hours) - semester 2 |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Practical 1. | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Practical 2. | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Semester One mid-term MCQ quiz. | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Semester Two mid-term MCQ quiz. | 10% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Semester One Exam | 30% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Semester Two Exam | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 40% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Describe basic vertebrate evolution and phylogeny
2. Compare and contrast the morphology and anatomy of the major groups and be able to identify representatives of the groups
3. Discuss physiological adaptations in the context of environmental conditions, drawing upon a wide range of examples.
4. Describe, compare and discuss the locomotion, reproduction, feeding and digestion of a range of animals of relevance to the students' degree schemes
Brief description
The module will describe the major animal vertebrate and invertebrate groups. It will give an introduction to the physiology of these animals with respect to sensing the environment, muscle and locomotion, nutrition, endocrinology, cardiovascular respiratory systems, and homeostasis. A wide range of examples will be used to illustrate key principles.
Content
1. Semester 1:
In semester one we will draw upon a wide range of examples in order to illustrate the key principles. Animal biodiversity (including a brief overview of key extinct and extant groups); major invertebrate and vertebrate animal groups; sensing the environment (invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems, including sensory physiology); muscles and movement; animal glands and secretions (including an introduction to endocrinology); circulation; respiration; osmoregulation; thermoregulation; feeding & digestion (including the diversity of strategies).
2. Semester 2:
In semester two the teaching will be based around key themes including invertebrate and vertebrate locomotion, reproductive strategies, feeding and digestion.
In semester one we will draw upon a wide range of examples in order to illustrate the key principles. Animal biodiversity (including a brief overview of key extinct and extant groups); major invertebrate and vertebrate animal groups; sensing the environment (invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems, including sensory physiology); muscles and movement; animal glands and secretions (including an introduction to endocrinology); circulation; respiration; osmoregulation; thermoregulation; feeding & digestion (including the diversity of strategies).
2. Semester 2:
In semester two the teaching will be based around key themes including invertebrate and vertebrate locomotion, reproductive strategies, feeding and digestion.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Collection and scrutiny of data in terms of quality and quantity. Data interpretation. These will be assessed in the assignment and feedback will be given there also. |
| Communication | Students will develop effective written communication skills in the examination and assignments, where these will be assessed. Feedback will be given in the assessment. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Outside the formal contact hours, students will be expected to research materials, manage time and meet deadlines for the assignments and exam. Students will be able to review and monitor their progress and plan for improvement of personal performance. Some of these will be assessed in both the examination and assignment. Feedback will be given in the assignment. |
| Information Technology | Accessing the web for reliable information sources and using databases to find literature in preparation for the assignments and the exam. Use of information technology will be assessed in both the assignment and exam. Feedback will be given in the assignment. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | |
| Problem solving | Practical classes will allow students to gain experience in designing, executing, interpreting data and writing-up assessed physiology experiments using animal models. Students will develop creative approaches to experimental design, critically evaluate their proposed solutions and construct rational proposals in response to experimental challenge. |
| Research skills | The assignments and exam will require students to research topics beyond the depth and scope of the lecture material. Information from a variety of sources will be used. How to do this will be discussed in lectures. Research skills will be assessed in both the examination and assignment. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will be able to describe the key physiological principles that underpin animal life. Students will be able to discuss physiological adaptations within the context of changing environmental conditions. Students will gain key skills in manipulating specimens. These will be assessed in both the assignment and the exam. Feedback will be given in the assignment. |
| Team work | Students will work in pairs/small groups during practical sessions. They will need to discuss their experimental design and work effectively as a small team in practical classes. This will not be assessed. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4