BI1EAB1-Animal Diversity

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Amanda Callaghan
Email: a.callaghan@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Crazy about animals? Then this is the module for you! You will be taken through the evolution of animal life on Earth, from over half a billion years ago to the present, introducing the main animal groups that represent over 95% of all animal life. You will develop zoology-specific skills which include recognizing features that classify animals into phyla and an overview of differences in body form and function. Supported by the Cole Museum of Zoology to which you have free access, the Animal Diversity module provides a taxonomic foundation on which to lay future studies on mammals in part 1 and invertebrate and vertebrate zoology in part 2.ÌýÌý

Aims:

Through lectures and practical sessions and using real animal specimens from the Cole Museum of Zoology, this course provides an introduction to the metazoa (multi-cellular animals). It provides a taxonomic foundation on which to lay future studies of invertebrate and vertebrate zoology in part 2 and will help students to appreciate the diversity of animals they will see on their field courses at the end of part 1. Students will develop basic zoological knowledge relating to classification of animal groups, including body plans, growth patterns and feeding and will go on to develop an overview of the animal tree of life. Students will start to build their zoological glossary which will be invaluable later in the degree.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Intended learning outcomes:

By the end of the course, students will be expected to be able to:

1. understand the correct method to classify organisms and write species names.


2. describe the different geological eras .


3. be able to identify and describe the "big nine" animal phyla.


4. have an overview of animal diversity.


5. have developed an overview of the metazoan tree of life.


6. develop a basic understanding of animal body plans.Ìý

Assessable learning outcomes:

1. Identification and naming of the "big nine" animal phyla.


2. Overview of the metazoan tree of life including why animals are placed in each grouping and phylum names.


3. Understanding of body plans and functional anatomy.
   
   Ìý

Additional outcomes:

• Students will develop their time management skills.


• Students will be exposed to unknown animal groups enabling them to expand their zoological knowledge.


• Students may appreciate the importance of traditionally non-charismatic animals.

Outline content:

Lectures will be used to cover the evolution of animal life on earth with mention of all the major animal phyla and some details of animals in the Chordata. Each week lectures will cover different animals from the Big 9 Phylum and additional video content will be provided online. Lectures will be supported by practicals, both formative and summative, Ìýdesigned to support deeper learning. These will expose students to specimens of animals mentioned in the lectures and to see first-hand the features that are used to classify them. Ìý

Global context:

Animals live word wide in almost every habitat on the planet. The study of zoology is by its very nature global.Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures; practical sessions, video content, online lectures.Ìý This module will be taught in association with the Cole Museum of Zoology and the zoology teaching collections.