BI2EV45-Vertebrate Zoology

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Graham Luke
Email: g.n.luke@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module incorporates aspects of traditional comparative anatomical zoology with evolutionary-developmental biology, physiology and palaeontology. Within this remit, students will undertake a broad and in places detailed look at the morphology of a wide range of vertebrates. In class dissections and museum specimen observation feature heavily in this module. The Autumn term of this module focuses mostly on non-mammalian vertebrates whereas the Spring term focusses more on the Mammalia. The module considers the factors that have led to the diversity of vertebrates that exist today, and the demise of those that lived in previous epochs. Observational and deductive skills are an important part of this module. 

Aims:

1. To provide a grounding in, and overview of, the multidisciplinary nature of zoology in the 21st century (in particular the relevance of palaeontology, zoogeography, phylogenetics, physiology and developmental biology to traditional comparative morphological zoology).


2. To provide students with an account of the zoology of the vertebrates, viz. (i) The organisation of the main vertebrate taxa. (ii) An outline of non-mammalian vertebrate evolution from its Chordate ancestry, (iii) A study of selected adaptations of vertebrates to their ways of life, (iv) An account of the origins, functions and significance of some key mammalian features, (v) An introduction to a key driver of evolution, energetics.


3. To give students a wider appreciation of the complexity and diversity of vertebrate morphology and physiology, and the exquisite nature of their adaptations to their life styles and their environments.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the course, it is expected that students will be able to describe and explain:

1. The main morphological and physiological features used in vertebrate classification.


2. The evolutionary history of the main non-mammalian vertebrate taxa.


3. The key morphological, reporductive and physiological adaptations of vertebrates to life in water, on land and in the air


4. The general anatomical organisation of chordates and vertebrates.


5. The significance of ectothermic and endothermic strategies to vertebrate diversity.

Additional outcomes:

• Gain experience of team working. 


• Develop skills associated with library information retrieval, gaining information from the WWW and journals. 


• Develop time management skills in a practical setting. 


• Develop observational and deductive skills associated with investigating and recording vertebrate structure/function in a practical classes.


• Develop writing and graphical communication skills. 

Outline content:

The course will cover the defining anatomical and physiological features, and the evolution of the major groups of non-mammalian vertebrates. Major topics/themes covered in this term will include:

• fish biology


• the colonisation of land by vertebrates 


• respiration 


• the contrast between the anatomical and physiological differences of the Synapsid and Sauropsid taxa 


• the origin, evolution, morphology, physiology and function of the defining features of mammals {e.g. placentation and lactation} 


• the evolution and morphology of locomotory specialisations of mammals, 


• digestion 


• how the energetics (diet and budgeting of energy) have shaped morphology evolution, function and diversity in vertebrates (eco-morphospace).

Examination of preserved specimens from the Cole Museum and practical class dissections of specimens comprise almost 50% of the formal teaching of this module, and thus are an integral part of this course (alternative study options to dissections are available on request).

Students will be expected to read relevant chapters of the recommended text by Pough et al ("Vertebrate Life" Edition 8 onwards) and other texts.

Excellent books to read to supplement the recommended text, and as a background/introduction to this module are “The Evolution of Vertebrate Design” by L.B. Radinsky, 1987 and the material covering vertebrates in "Integrative Animal Biology" by Fenton, Campbell, Dumont and Owen, 2014.

Students are encouraged to visit the Natural History Museum in Oxford during the course. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	14	10
Practicals classes and workshops	10	12
Guided independent study:	76	78
Total hours by term			0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	20
Practical skills assessment	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

A 1.5 hours examination by MCQ.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A 2000 word coursework essay set in the Spring term to be completed by the end of term.

A single MCQ assessment at the end of the course of work covered in the practical classes.  This will be an “open book” test, where the “open book” will be student lab books. Crucial factors in this assessment will thus be:

1. The quality of the lab book in terms of effective (clarity of) written and graphical content.


2. The accuracy of observations, background research and notes relating to  the practical classes.

Formative assessment methods:

The first practical class is formatively assessed. Lab books from this class are handed in a few days after the practical and marked and returned in time for the second class. This is to give students an understanding of the standard and style of work that is required.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  Students will be expected to read relevant chapters of the recommended text by Pough et al., ("Vertebrate Life" 7-10th Editions) and other texts.  Key chapters from Pough are available from the Reading list section on BlackBoard. Excellent books to read to supplement the recommended text, and as a background/introduction to this module are “The Evolution of Vertebrate Design” by L.B. Radinsky, 1987 and the material covering vertebrates in "Integrative Animal Biology" by Fenton, Campbell, Dumont and Owen, 2014.

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  Students are encouraged to visit the Natural History Museum in Oxford during the course. 

Last updated: 17 August 2023