THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Biological Sciences : Biology

Undergraduate Course: Animal Diversity and Evolution 3 (BILG09019)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Biological Sciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThe course provides students with a modern view of animal diversity and an understanding of how the process of evolution has produced this diversity.
Course description Understanding the evolution and diversity of animals is a fundamental goal of zoological research, with profound implications for both science and conservation. We will provide students with a modern view of animal diversity and an understanding of how the process of evolution has produced this diversity. Students will examine what key features make animals different from the rest of life and the evolutionary significance of these features. They will then explore this diversity from different perspectives, including the phylogenetic description of diversity, the general causes of diversification in animals and more detailed examination of the diversification of key animal traits such as immunity, physiology and life-history. They will examine how patterns of diversity at different levels of biological organisation, from genetic diversity within populations to species diversity patterns across the globe can be understood. They will examine how the diversity of body plans can be understood in terms of the relationship between evolution and development. The course will finish by considering the future of animal diversity. We will include sessions which illustrate approaches and techniques used to examine animal diversity and evolution, emphasising that this is an active research field, and also sessions to develop core skills within the context of the course.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Evolution in Action 2 (BILG08005) OR Animal Biology 2 (BILG08011)
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Evolution in Action 2 (BILG08005) AND Animal Biology 2 (BILG08011)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesEquivalent of the courses listed above
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 26, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 1, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 12, Fieldwork Hours 4, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 149 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 35 %, Coursework 65 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) In course assessment, 65%: 4 x Quizzes (4% each, 20% total), 2 x Practical Report (30%), Paper evaluation test (15%).

Final exam, 35%.
Feedback Not entered
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)2:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)2:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. 1. To provide students with a modern overview of animal diversity and an understanding of the evolutionary, genetic, developmental and ecological factors that have produced and currently maintain animal diversity.
  2. 2. To allow students to explore the diversity of animals from different perspectives, including the phylogenetic description of diversity, the general causes of diversification in animals and more detailed examination of the diversification of key animal traits such as life-history and physiology and developmental programs.
  3. 3. To develop personal skills appropriate to a third-year biological science student, including competence in a range of research techniques used to study animal diversity, the ability to analyse scientific papers, and the ability to present results of laboratory work concisely and accurately and in a clear and well-organised manner.
  4. 4. To encourage students to be independent and take responsibility for their own work.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsAde3
Contacts
Course organiserDr Craig Walling
Tel: (0131 6)50 5413
Email: craig.walling@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Tim MacDonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 7296
Email: Tim.MacDonald@ed.ac.uk
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