BIO2231 - Animal Diversity
We share the planet with over 1 million described species of animals
with many, many more awaiting discovery. The vast panorama of animal life,
how animals function, live, reproduce, and interact with their
environment, is exciting, fascinating, and awe inspiring. Members of the
animal kingdom are among the most conspicuous living things in the world
and as members of this kingdom, we have a special interest in its other
members, especially those that are evolutionary closely related to us.
Zoology is the scientific study of animal life and builds on centuries of
human inquiry into the animal world, its origins and relationships.
Animals are highly diverse. Why are there so many more species of
animals than plants? It is this diversity that forms the subject matter of
this subject.
We begin by asking the questions, What is an animal? and, How did they
originate? We then start a journey of discovery by exploring the diversity
of animal life and organising it in a systematic way using their
evolutionary history and by examining and relating their structure with
function
By the end of this journey you will be familiar with the major groups
of animals, their similarities and differences, and the evolutionary
pathways that resulted in the current numbers and variety of animal
species. A real appreciation of animal diversity can only be achieved
through first-hand experience in the laboratory. During your practical
classes you will examine all the major groups of animals, starting with
the most structurally simple and finishing with birds and mammals, many of
which are seen live, swimming and feeding in the large marine watertable
and aquaria.
Objectives
On completion of this unit students will understand the origin of
animals and how they differ from other living organisms; understand the
relationship between animal diversity and evolutionary derived changes in
animal body plans; encounter a range of living and preserved invertebrate
and vertebrate animals and be able to subsequently identify major animal
phyla; have developed skills in library and field research, data and
information gathering, collation and organisation suitable for the
preparation of a scientific report; developed problem-solving skills in
both individual and team setting; mastered basic laboratory techniques
associated with examining and handling zoological specimens.
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| Coordinator |
| Names |
Dr. Ross Thompson |
| E-mail |
Ross.Thompson@sci.monash.edu.au |
| Office Location |
17/G18G |
| Office Hours |
By appointment - please e-mail |
| Technical Coordinator |
| Names: |
Bruce Weir |
| E-mail |
Bruce.Weir@sci.monash.edu.au |
| Office Location |
18/112 |
| Phone |
990 55660 |
| Textbooks |
| Prescribed |
Invertebrate Zoology, Ruppert, Fox and Barnes, Thomson, Brooks/Cole, 7th Edition/2003, 0-03-025982-7.
PLEASE NOTE: This textbook can be purchased as a bundle with Liem, Bemis, Walker and Grande, which is required for Bio2242 in Semester 2. Purchasing the texts in this way presents a significant saving. |
| Required |
Zoology Dissecting Kit from University Bookshop |
| Program for 2010 |
| University Handbook Entry |
BIO2231 - Synopsis, Assessment & Prerequisites |
| Schedule |
|
| Important Links |
| Science Faculty |
Information for Students - Enrolments, Prac Sessions, more..... |
| University |
Information for Students - Timetables, Exam, Semester Dates, more..... |
| Blackboard entry |
my.monash |
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