ZL2005:03
Invertebrate Zoology
| Townsville | HECS Band 2 |
36 hours lectures, 27 hours practicals, 24 hours field work. Semester 1.
Staff: Assoc. Professor D Blair.
An advanced treatment of the major groups of invertebrate animals. Emphasis will be placed on the evolution and physical diversity of the phyla and on their main biological and life-history features. Topics include phylogenetic relationships among the metazoans; biodiversity represented by invertebrate animals; patterns of evolution within the major phyla; reasons for the success of major invertebrate phyla.
Learning Objectives:
- to appreciate invertebrate biodiversity, past and present;
- to learn methods for handling, examining and preparing typical invertebrates;
- to appreciate the diversity of life histories, habitats and biology among the phyla;
- to acquire knowledge of the names and distinguishing features of all major invertebrate phyla (for some phyla, more detailed knowledge is expected of classification, anatomy and life histories);
- to acquire knowledge of the ways these phyla might be grouped in a larger phylogenetic scheme.
Assessment by a three-hour written examination (50%); on-course practical tests (15%); mid-semester theory test (10%); essay (10%); field course assessment (15%).