ZOOLOGY

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Piertney

Pre-requisites

BI 2002

Notes

(i) This course extends over 6 weeks only.
(ii) Available only to students in programme year 3 or above.

Overview

An overview of current evolutionary theory and its development, and of the principles of biodiversity. Topics include the origin of life, ecological and molecular genetics, natural selection, species and speciation, the fossil record and macroevolution, modern taxonomy and systematics, human evolution, the conservation of biodiversity, and related areas.

Structure

Thread I: 6 week course,5 lectures per week, 6 hours of tutorials/practicals/seminars per week.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%), and in-course assessment based upon essay, practical write-up and oral presentation (50%). Oral examination for borderline candidates.

Resit: A resit exam, in the same format as the main exam. This may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Vaanholt & Dr G Wagner

Pre-requisites

BI 20Z1, BI 25Z1.

Overview

This course covers the physiological mechanisms animals have evolved to cope with different environments. Particular topics are Hormones and the Environment; Vision and chemoreception and the environment; Thermoregulation; Osmoregulation.

Structure

Thread I: 6 week course 5 hours lectures and 3 hours practicals per week.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour writtent examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%). Oral examination for borderline candidates.

Resit: A resit exam, in the same format as the main exam. This may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mrs C Dennis

Pre-requisites

BI 2001

Notes

(i) This course extends over 6 weeks only. (ii) Available only to students in programme year 3 or above.

Overview

This course deals with the basic ecological theory and mathematical modelling approaches required to study animal population dynamics, This course deals with the basic ecological theory and modelling approaches required to study animal population dynamics, especially those populations which have importance for conservation consideration, management or exploitation. The formal tools used to describe population change in continuous and fragmented populations are explored. The complexity of reproductive strategies found in the animal kingdom as well as their implication for harvesting of species are presented.

Structure

Thread II: 6 week course - 2 two-hour lectures per week, 2 one-hour lectures per week, 5 three-hour practicals over 6 weeks.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination for all candidates (50%) and in-course assessment (50%).

Resit: A resit exam, in the same format as the main exam. This may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mrs C Dennis

Pre-requisites

BI 1004

Notes

(i) This course extends over 6 weeks only. (ii) Available only to students in programme year 3 or above.

Overview

This course introduces behavioural physiology and behavioural ecology, including: external stimuli and perception, use of stimuli in orientation and navigation, signals and communication, chemical stimuli; internal states, especially hormonal effects on behaviour; motivation and conflict; rhythmic occurrence of behaviour; functional aspects of behaviour; evolution of behaviour; social behaviour.

Structure

Thread II: 6 week course - 5 one-hour lectures per week, 4 three-hour laboratory practicals and 1 two-hour tutorial.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (60%), assessment of practical reports (32%), tutorial (8%).

Resit: A resit exam, in the same format as the main exam. This may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Yule

Pre-requisites

BI 2001

Notes

(i) This course extends over 6 weeks only.
(ii) Available only to students in programme year 3 or above.

Overview

The course covers main aspects of ocean circulation; regional upwelling; chemical and physical properties of seawater; the ecology of phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthos, nekton, mammals, birds, rocky shores, littoral zone, kelp forest and deep sea; the coral reef, polar and North Sea ecosystems; and selected topics in marine management.

Structure

Thread I: 6 week course - 5 lecture hours, 1 six hour laboratory or field session per week.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (60%), assessment of laboratory work (40%).

Resit: A resit exam, in the same format as the main exam.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Yule

Pre-requisites

MR 1008 or MR 1510 or BI 2001 or BI 20Z1 or BI 25ZI or BI 25Z2. Other students may be admitted to the course at the discretion of the Head of School.

Notes

(i) This course extends over 6 weeks only.
(ii) Available only to students in programme year 3 or above.

Overview

The aim of this course is to present aspects of marine and freshwater biology with a particular emphasis on matters of practical application and human impact on aquatic environments. An understanding of freshwater ecosystems is developed through the study of their hydrology and chemistry and the biology of the fauna and flora. Conservation, pollution, fish and fisheries, invasive species and aqauculture are among the topics discussed in this course.

Structure

Thread I (slots A, E, F): 6 week course – 6 one-hour lectures and six hours of practicals/field-sessions/seminars per week.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%). Oral examination for borderline candidates.

Resit: A resit exam, in the same format as the main exam. This may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Bowman

Pre-requisites

BI 25Z1 or BI 2507 or BI 25A2.

Overview

The aim of this course is to provide a thorough overview of the principles of infectious diseases affecting man and animals. Lectures will cover principles of infection, epidemiology, zoonoses, control strategies, notifiable diseases and their containment, and vector borne disease. Lectures rely heavily on specific examples of the major groups of infectious organisms that, in part, reflect the interests of the team.

Structure

Thread II: 6 weeks - 36 one-hour lectures; 5 six hour practicals; 1 four hour poster session.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%); poster presentation (15%); in-course assessment (35%). Interviews will be conducted for borderline cases.

Resit: A resit exam, in the same format as the main exam. This may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr P J Fraser and Dr T C Marshall

Pre-requisites

Only available to students in programme year 4 taking one of the Zoology Honours Degrees.

Overview

An independent review essay chosen from a list made available by Zoology and which will change from year to year. A member of staff will provide guidance.

Structure

12 week course - Independent work with guidance by a member of staff.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Evaluation of the essay by two examiners.

Credit Points

45

Course Coordinator

Dr P J Fraser / Dr C T Marshall

Pre-requisites

Available only to those taking one of the Zoology Honours Degrees.

Overview

An independent research project, under the supervision of a member of staff. The candidate is required to deliver a short seminar on the results of the work, publish a web site and to submit a thesis. As a preparation for the project, candidates are expected to attend a residential team building course held over 2 days in week 12.

Structure

Independent work.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Evaluation of the thesis, web-site and seminar and an oral examination.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Bowman

Pre-requisites

BI 25Z1 or ZO 3810

Notes

Available only to students in programme year 4.

Overview

Introductory lectures of 1-2 hours will each describe a current research topic in vector biology. Example topics are disease transmission, physiology, ecology and resistance of vectors including molecular approaches. Lectures will draw attention to 3-5 recent research articles, which are given to the students for reading and are discussed the following week in tutorial format.

Structure

Thread II: 6 weeks - 2 two-hour lectures; 1 hour tutorial per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor X Lambin

Pre-requisites

ZO 3303

Overview

The course deals with the concepts and practice of wildlife population conservation and management, including methods to access population size, survival rates and how to use this information to assess the viability of animal populations with matrix projection models. The course will consider how to manage wildlife populations that either represent a resource (such as red deer), a potential competitor (such as grey seals) are threatened (such as water voles, fresh water pearl mussels) or are a pest species (American mink). Techniques used for estimating the size of populations and estimating survival parameters and exploring the impact on population of changes in demographic parameters using simple models.

Structure

Thread I: 6 week course - 3 two-hour lectures/seminars per week and 6 three-hour practicals.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (66.7%) and one talk (33.3%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr M Solan

Pre-requisites

At Second year: Either Ocean Biology (BI 25Z2) or Invertebrate Life (BI 25Z1)
At Third year: Marine Ecology and Ecosystems (ZO 3508)

Notes

This course will make an ideal companion to Marine Benthic Ecology (ZO 4808).

Overview

The abyssal and hadal environments is one of the last habitats on earth to be explored. If this valuable resource is to be protected and conserved for the benefit of future generations, a better understanding of the deepest parts of the ocean is urgently needed. The hadal environment, defined as depths greater than 6000m and extending to 10,989m at the deepest point on the earth, represents the most extreme conditions for life.

This course will describe the history of the discovery of the true depth of the oceans from early circumnavigations of the globe to detailed description of the hadal regions during the 1960s. The unique submersibles, manned and unmanned, that have descended to these depths will be described and the stories of their expeditions presented and set into context. The only human visitors to the Challenger deep were Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh on board the bathyscapth, Trieste in 1960.

The hadal regions are mainly confined to deep ocean trenches where earth's crust is descending beneath the continents. This requires an understanding of continental drift, plate tectonics and dynamics of the earth. Oceanography of abyssal and hadal regions will be reviewed together with what is known of its physical characteristics. Deep sea research began with the assertion by Forbes in 1843 that no life could exist at depths greater 600m. It has since been discovered that whilst the abundance of life does decrease with depth animals do survive at 6000m and there are documented examples of hadal fauna. Finally the course will conclude with a section on conservation and the vulnerability of the hadal zone to pollution, as the ultimate sink for wastes produced by man. Where appropriate case studies will illustrate key concepts by example. Relevant theory, applications and sampling/data analysis approaches will be obtained from lectures, discussions and primary journal article readings.

Structure

Thread I: 3 two-hour lectures per week (on campus), 1 all day practical (per course, not per week) at Oceanlab, Newburgh.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour examination (80%), 1 continuous assessment (20%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Bursiem & Dr P Thompson

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4.

Overview

This course explores a range of current international conservation issues, focusing especially upon how practical conservation solutions are being developed in response to the pressures resulting from global change. It draws upon case-studies from the tropics to polar regions, in both marine and terrestrial systems, and is presented by University staff and outside speakers who are directly involved in these issues.

Structure

Thread II: 6 weeks - 3 two-hour lectures or seminars per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%) and one written course assignment (50%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr T Marshall

Pre-requisites

ZO 3508

Overview

This course addresses current issues in Marine and Fisheries science, including the application of ecosystems and food web approaches, strategies for sustainable harvesting, marine mammal ecology and cephalopod biology. The in-course assessment includes fitting models to data and both web- and literature-based research.

Structure

Thread II: 6 week course - 3 two-hour lecture sessions/week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mrs C Dennis

Pre-requisites

ZO 3507

Notes

Only available to students in level 4 Zoology, Biology and other Biological Sciences. Pre-requisite should be strictly adhered to.

Overview

Behavioural ecology provides a framework for exploring relationships between animal behaviour, ecology and evolution. Specifically, behavioural ecology is concerned with questions about how patterns of behaviour contribute to an animal's chance of survival and reproductive success. Topics covered include, investigating optimality and game theory, ecological and evolutionary aspects of mate choice, mating systems and sexual conflict and the role of behaviour in management and conservation including captive breeding and reintroduction. This course will introduce techniques commonly employed in behavioural ecology research. Emphasis will be placed on quantitative and statistical approaches to theoretical and practical behavioural research. Lectures will be supplemented by student seminars in key topics, student-centred learning, discussion groups and debates based on current journal articles. An important practical component of the course will be centred upon the exploration of theoretical concepts using computer-based modelling approach.

Structure

Thread I: 2 two hour lectures plus 1 three hour practical/seminar/private study session per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 70% examination and 30% continuous assessment.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J M Sternberg

Pre-requisites

ZO 3810

Overview

This course will address modern aspects of parasitology, primarily in the context of human parasitic disease.Tropical parasitisms will be discussed in depth along with current control programmes such as that of the WHO. The course will then consider recent developments and future prospects in parasite diagnosis, chemotherapy and vaccine design.

Structure

Thread I (slot A & F): 6 week course - 3 two-hour lectures per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr P J Fraser

Pre-requisites

ZO 3302 or ZO 3508.

Notes

Marine Biology background preferred. This course is open to Level 4 students who have, in the opinion of their adviser, the necessary background.

Overview

Introduces current research on marine settling organisms, bioluminescence, modelling fish growth and population dynamics, seal and dolphin behavioural ecology with emphasis on diving, disease, feeding and lactation, and low and high hydrostatic pressure effects on marine animals.

Structure

Thread II (slots B, C & D): 6 week course - 4 one-hour lectures per week. 2 one-hour Tutorials per week. 3 hour literature searches expected by students to expand lecture material per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr L Vaanholt

Pre-requisites

None.

Notes

Available to level 4 students.

Overview

This course will introduce ethical thinking into the pursuit of science, particularly relating to biological issues. The nature of science, its role in culture and society, ethics and ethical debate will be considered. The view will be taken that scientists cannot distance themselves from the wider implications of their work. Lectures, discussions, case studies, will be used to debate current ethical topics, such as the ethics of animal research, xenotransplantion, genetic screening, etc.

Structure

Thread I: 6 week course - 2 two-hour lectures; 1 three-hour seminar/tutorial/practical per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Martin Solan

Pre-requisites

BI 25Z2, ZO 3508

Overview

Understanding the factors that determine the distribution, abundance and diversity of benthic organisms has traditionally been the mainstay of benthic ecology. As such the field covers several disciplines including microbiology, biogeochemisty, population dynamics, behavioural ecology, technology and engineering, environmental management and conservation ecology. The course will introduce how benthic ecosystems are structured, function and how benthic organisms respond to and/or regulate the environment. Emphasis will be placed on soft sediment systems that cover ~ 70% of the planet surface and will focus on a variety of benthic habits in the intertidal, coastal sublittoral and deep sea. Additional topics covered will include biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, benthic-pelagic coupling, bioturbation, and management and conservation issues. Where appropriate case studies will illustrate key concepts by example. Relevant theory, applications and sampling/data analysis approaches will be obtained from lectures, discussions and primary journal article readings.

Structure

Thread I: 4 one and half hour lectures per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three hour examination.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr G Wagner & Dr P Fraser

Pre-requisites

ZO 3302

Notes

Only available to students in level 4 Zoology, Biology and other Biological Sciences, Pre-requisite should be strictly adhered to.

Overview

The ability to control the timing of physiology and behaviour is a fundamental attribute of life, ranging from the cyanobacteria to man. Organisms have evolved complex mechanisms to take advantage of temporal cues present in the environment to synchronise endogenous "biological clocks". The course will explore the fundamental nature of these clocks, and their impact on the lives of animals and humans. Topics considered will include the evolutionary ecology of circadian rhythms, tidal rhythms, the role of biological timing in migration and seasonal rhythms, and the importance of circadian rhythms in humans - including the problems posed by the "24-h society".

Following initial revision & introductory lectures, the course wil take a strong "case studies" approach, with student led discussions of current literature. Data acquisition and handling aspects of research into biological rhythms will be covered through practicals - with an opportunity for students to monitor and analyse their own activity rhythms during the course.

Structure

Thread II: 2 two-hour seminar sessions plus 1 two-hour discussion / practical session per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C S Jones & Dr L R Noble

Pre-requisites

BI 2002, ZO 3010

Notes

Only available to students in Level 4 of Zoology, Biology & other Biological Sciences. Pre-requisites should be strictly adhered to.

Overview

Molecular ecology can be broadly defined as the application of molecular genetic markers to problems in ecology and evolution, encompassing studies on the genetic relationships among individuals, populations and species. As such the field covers population and evolutionary genetics, behavioural ecology, conservation biology, and genetic exchange within the natural environment. The course will introduce the genetic markers, the techniques and analysis commonly used in this field. Emphasis will be placed upon molecular data acquisition, and statistical or phylogenetic analyses to address questions related to population structure, genetic diversity, speciation, and historical factors that have shaped the distribution and abundance of organisms. Additional topics covered will include molecular clocks, the significance of the use of mitochondrial DNA for phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies, and molecular applications for behavioural ecology (paternity and relatedness). An intuitive grasp of the relevant theory, applications and analytical approaches will be obtained through lectures, tutorial style discussions, and case studies via debates and workshops, as well as primary journal article readings.

Structure

Thread II: 6 weeks. 2 two-hour lectures; 1 two-three hour seminar/tutorial per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 3 hour written exam (80%) and continuous assessment (20%).