ZL2008 - Animal Adaptation to Environmental Change

[To be introduced in Cairns, Townsville in 2010. ]

Credit points:	03
Year:	2009
Student Contribution Band:	Band 4
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

This subject considers the ways that animals interact with physical aspects of their environment, matching form with function as well as the effects of environmental change at a range of spatial and temporal scales. We deal with morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations used to accommodate environmental challenges. We also emphasise an experimental field approach to measuring animal interactions with environment.

Learning Outcomes

• understanding the effects of physical features of the environment on animal function;
• understanding of the mechanisms by which animals accommodate physical limitations of their environment;
• understanding of the effects of environmental change on animal function;
• development of experimental skills in field biology;
• understanding of the linkage between animal form and function.

Assumed Knowledge:	Students enrolling in this subject should completed 12 credit points of science subjects including chemistry (CH1001, BM1000 or CH1011), have a good background in Level 1 zoology (ZL1001 or AG1004) and a good understanding of quantitative methods in biology (BS2001 or equivalent).
Prerequisites:	(ZL1001 OR AG1004) AND (BS2001 OR AG2001)
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	ZL5008

Availabilities
Townsville, Block, Study Period 7
Census Date 10-Jul-2009
Face to face teaching 13-Jul-2009 to 24-Jul-2009
Coordinator:	Assoc. Professor Simon Robson
Lecturers:	Assoc. Professor Andrew Krockenberger, Assoc. Professor Simon Robson.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 4 days fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); on-course assessment; (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.