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There are estimated to be over 7.7 million species of animal in the world. In this unit we explore the diversity of animal life on earth from molluscs to insects, reptiles to mammals. Throughout will we ask how and why do we classify animals into groups, what are the characteristics that define them, and what does this tell us about evolution? This unit also includes a hands-on session at the Ë®¶à¶àµ¼º½ Museum, which has a huge natural history collection and a vivarium.

To provide students with an overview of some of the major animal groups. A brief introduction will be given to evolution before the major groups are described in terms of their structure, phylogeny, adaptations and characteristics. This unit is ideal for Biology, Zoology, & Genetics students as well as those taking more organismal focused degrees and options and Geology students interested in palaeontology.

Students will be able to:

• Appreciate how evolutionary forces act to create complex biological systems
• Gain knowledge of the similarities and differences between vertebrate & some key invertebrate groups: anatomy, functional morphology, behaviour & diversity
• Apply evolutionary concepts to understand the evolution of major animal groups

•       Course Introduction

•       The origin of animals

•       Why sponges are animals

•       The Cambrian ‘explosion’

•       Bilateria

•       Molluscs and worms

•       Ecdysozoans - tardigrades and lobopods

•       Arthropods I - chelicerates

•       Arthropods II - crustaceans and myriapods

•       Arthropods III - insects

•       Chordates - vertebrate beginnings

•       Fish I - diversity of fish

•       Fish II- evolutionary transitions of fishes

•       Water to Land - early tetrapods

•       Amphibians

•       Amniotes - the amniotic egg & non-avian reptiles

•       Birds

•       Mammals I - mammal origins

•       Mammals II - primates & human evolution

Written assignment - 50%, MCQs exam - 50%

Feedback will be given throughout the course.  Detailed written feedback will be given for museum assignments. Written or oral one-one feedback is available by emailing the unit coordinator.

Additional References to journal articles will be given in lectures.

Recommended Reading

1. Barnes, Calow, Olive, Golding Spicer, The Invertebrates: a Synthesis, Blackwell Publishing, 2002, Recommended
2. Hickman, Roberts, Keen, Larson, Eisenhour, Animal Diversity, McGraw-Hill, Recommended
3. Holland, The Animal Kingdom: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, Recommended
4. Kardong, Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution (4th edition), McGraw-Hill, 2006, Recommended

The year studying abroad is an integral part of the course and must be completed. Some costs, such as tuition fees, are substantially lower. Other costs can vary and are not included in the tuition fee. For example, living costs may be higher or lower than the UK, and there are travel-related costs to consider, such as paying for a passport, visa fees, health insurance, and (if needed) vaccinations.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's (PDF document, 91KB).

Students participating in placements outside the UK may be able to apply for funding from the depending on eligibility. Priority will be given to students from low income households.