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

Origin of life, DNA structure; historical perspective of development of evolutionary theory; the principles of biodiversity; microevolution, molecular markers; speciation; fossil record; phylogenetics; key evolutionary transitions; human evolution; co-evolution, creationism; Darwininism.

Structure

5 lectures per week, 6 hours of tutorials/practicals/seminars per week. total contact time approximately 58 hours.

6 week course (thread 1, weeks 12-17).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%), and in-course assessment based upon essay (1,000 words), practical write-up and oral presentation (50%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%), this may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar and workshop sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Groups will also be given generic feedback.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Yule

Pre-requisites

BI 2001

Notes

This course extends over six weeks only; the course is available only to students in Programme Year 3.

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

1 five-hour lectures and 1 six-hour practical each week; course runs for six weeks (weeks 18-23, thread 1); total class contact approximately 66 hours.

Assessment

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

Resit: 1 three-hour written examination (60%) and a new assignment for failed lab work (40%).

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during practical sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr G Pierce, Dr V Louca

Pre-requisites

BI 2001

Co-requisites

None

Notes

This course extends over six weeks; it is available only to students in year 3 of their programme.

Overview

This course deals with the basic ecological theory and modelling approaches required to study 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

2 two-hour lectures per week, 2 one-hour lectures per week, 7 three-hour practicals over 6 weeks. Total contact hours approximately 60.

Assessment

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

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination for all candidates (50%) and in-course assessment (50%). The in-course assessment is made up of four tests. These tests will cover your practial materials, but also the lectures associated with the practical. All tests will be placed on MyAberdeen and they will be a combination of multiple choice questions, multiple answer questions, true/false questions and short open answers.

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%); this may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during practical sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Groups will also be given generic feedback.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr V Louca

Pre-requisites

BI 1005 or other students may be admitted on to the course at the discretion of the course coordinator.

Co-requisites

None

Overview

This course introduces the biological basis for animal behaviour, considering how behaviour contributes to survival, the proximate mechanisms of behaviours, behavioural development and evolution. Examples of topics covered include: the genetic basis of behaviour, motivation and cognition, maturation and learning, individual decisions, social behaviour, predator/prey interactions and communication.

Structure

Lectures, seminars and practicals; total contact time about 42 hours.

6 week course (thread 2, weeks 30-35).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (60%); continuous assessment (40%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar and workshop sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Groups will also be given generic feedback.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

To be confirmed

Pre-requisites

BI 2508

Overview

This course builds on BI 2505, where basic physiological mechanisms are covered, to focus on three or four key elements of animal physiology linked to environmental adaptation, for example, migration, hibernation, pelage cycles and breeding. Lecture material will cover theoretical understanding of the elements, and then students will explore the topic in more detail through structured learning activities, some group-based work and some independent work.

Structure

Class structure 3 two-hour lectures and 1 three or four-hour tutorial every other week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%). The in-course assessment will be based on group-work in the form of class presentations (20%) and independent written work (20%; 2000 words).

Resit: 1 three-hour written examination (100%), this may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar and workshop sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Groups will also be given generic feedback.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Bowman

Pre-requisites

BI 2008; other students may be admitted onto the course with permission from the Course Co-ordinator.

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

36 one-hour lectures; 5 six-hour practicals; 1 four-hour poster session; total contact hours approx 70 hours.

6 week course (weeks 36-44, thread 2).

Assessment

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

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%); in-course assessment (50%). In-course assessment comprises group work and poster presentation (20%) and 3 practical write-ups (30%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%), this may contain material from both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during practical and poster sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Groups will also be given generic feedback.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Yule

Pre-requisites

BI 2001 or BI 2008 OR BI 25Z2 or MR 1010; other students may be admitted to the course at the discretion of the Course Coordinator.

Co-requisites

None

Notes

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

Overview

Fish and fisheries conservation, ocean acidification, invasive species and aqauculture are among the topics discussed in this course.

Structure

6 one-hour lectures and six hours of practicals/field-sessions/seminars per week. total contact time about 72 hours.

6 week course (thread 1, weeks 36-44).

Assessment

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

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%). In course assessment is made up of a practical report (2000 words excluding tables and figures), two computer based tests, one case study presentation and one literature based assignment.

Resit: 1 three-hour written examination (60%), and a new assignment that reflects the learning outcomes related to the in course assessments (40%).

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar and workshop sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Groups will also be given generic feedback.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Bowman

Pre-requisites

ZO 3810 or BI 2008; available only to students in programme year 4 taking a degree programme administered by the School of Biological Sciences.

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

2 two-hour lectures; 1 hour tutorial per week; total contact hours about 30 hours.

six week course (thread 2, weeks 30-35)

Assessment

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

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

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during tutorial sessions.

Feedback

Formative assessment will be provided during tutorials, student-led discussions and tutor-led discussions. Students will receive a mark for their exam.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C Dennis

Pre-requisites

ZO 3510

Notes

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

Overview

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 case studies 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 a computer-based modelling approach.

Structure

2 two-hour lectures plus 1 three -hour practical/seminar/private study session per week; total contact hours about 42 hours.

Six week course (weeks 30-35, thread 1).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (70%) and continuous assessment (30%). Continuous assessment is made up of a seminar presentation.

Resit: 1 three-3 hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during practical and presentation sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Groups will also be given generic feedback. Students who are identified as having difficulty in successfully completing the coursework assessment tasks will be invited to meet members of the course team to identify difficulties and discuss solutions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr T Marshall

Pre-requisites

ZO 3304

Notes

As this course is 100% continuous assessment it should not be taken alongside other courses with a high proportion of continuous assessment. A willingness to engage in group working is required.

Overview

This course has three key objectives:

• to draw upon recent research that aims to improve our understanding of the sustainable management of commercial fisheries and marine mammals.


• to understand how quantitative data are incorporated into the management frameworks that have been developed to manage direct and indirect effects of commercial fisheries and other human activities.


• to encourage students to work in small groups to investigate a current topic relating to marine resource management, and to report group findings in the final weeks of the course.

Structure

Each week will have a two-hour practical to facilitate group working and in-course assessments. In the first three weeks there is a mix of lectures and in-class discussions; the fourth and fifth weeks will be primarily independent research and group work.

Six week course, weeks 30-35, thread 2.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment (100%). Continuous assessment made up of problem-based learning exercise, two page briefing note, class participation, tutor and peer assessments of individual contribution to group work.

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during tutorials, discussions and lecture sessions.

Feedback

Depending on the assessment the student will receive either individual feedback or feedback on group work. Feedback will be provided as written comments. The class will also be given generic feedback.

Students who are identified as having difficulty in successfully completing the assessment tasks will be invited to identify difficulties and discuss solutions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor X Lambin

Pre-requisites

ZO 3305

Overview

The course deals with the concepts and practice of wildlife population conservation and management, including methods to estimate population size, survival rates of animal populations and how to use this information to assess the viability of populations with matrix projection models. The course will consider how to manage wildlife populations in partnership with human communities that view them as a resource (such as red deer), as potential competitors (such as grey seals), as pest species (American mink) or as species in need of conservation (such as water voles, capercaillie).

Structure

3 two-hour lectures/seminars per week and 6 three-hour practicals. Total contact time about 54 hours.

Six week course (Thread 1, weeks 30-35).

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment (100%). One management proposal (50%) and one talk (50%).

Resit: Resubmission of management proposal (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor F Kuepper

Pre-requisites

ZO 3304

Notes

This is a six week course.

Overview

The course provides an ecological understanding of marine benthic systems and illustrates their importance in the functioning of the ecosystem at local and global scales. The course is designed for marine ecologists who wish to apply ecological theory and concepts within a marine context and wish to specialise in the benthos. Appropriate examples from a variety of habitats will be used to illustrate broader ecological concepts.

Structure

4 two-hour sessions per week, a mixture of lectures, discussions and tutorials; total class contact time about 48 hours.

Six week course (weeks 30-35, Thread 1).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written exam (80%) and continuous assessment (20%). The continuous assessment is composed of a proposal report 3,000 words (15%) and an oral presentation (5%).

Resit: 1 three-hour written exam (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J M Sternberg

Pre-requisites

ZO 3810

Notes

The course is available only to Honours candidates.

Overview

The course will explore recent developments in parasite biology and parasite-host interactions. In particular we will focus on the control of parasitic disease, the role of the immune system in defence and disease, and the host-parasite interactions which define the epidemiology of parasitic disease. We will illustrate the course with examples from both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, although the emphasis of the course will be toward human parasitic diseases.

Structure

3 two-hour classes per week, lectures are mainly seminar style.

Six week course.

Assessment

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

Resit: 1 three-hour written exam (100%).

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar sessions.

Feedback

Students receive the mark from their exam; feedback on progress in understanding is provided informally during seminars.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C Jones & Dr L Noble

Pre-requisites

BI 2001 and ZO 3010

Overview

Molecular ecology is the application of molecular genetic markers to problems in ecology and evolution, encompassing studies on the genetic relationships among individuals, populations and species. 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.

Structure

2 two-hour lectures and 1 two-three hour seminar/tutorial per week; total class contact hours approx 40 hours.

Six week course (weeks 36-44, thread 2).

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written exam (80%) and continuous assessment (20%). Continuous assessment is based on an essay 4,000 words.

Resit: 1 three-hour written exam (100%).

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during seminar and workshop sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive informal feedback on their essay plan and written feedback and a mark on the essay that is submitted. Students also get a mark for the exam.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Martin

Pre-requisites

Acceptance on to an Honours programme administered by the School of Biological Sciences.

Notes

This is a six week course.

Overview

Over view of aquaculture and its global contribution marine food production:

• Nutrition: fish feeds, fish meal fish oil, global shortage, how to overcome this shortage with new diets (plant protein oils)


• Health of aquacultured animals: diseases, vaccination methods of controlling health, parasitic diseases interaction wild and farmed.


• Selective breeding, genetics, effects on wild populations - future genomic applications to aquaculture.


• Environmental impacts - ecological impacts of aquaculture, diversity and approaches to reduce environmental loading. Future directions of aquaculture.

Structure

Generally 3 or 4 two-hour lectures, tutorials or student seminars per week, total class contact time approximately 37 hours.

There will be lectures at the start of each unit of the course. There will be use of primary literature which will be discussed at a tutorial discussion group at the end of the week. There will study time during weeks 5 and 6 at the end of which an essay and
seminar will be presented.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (50%) and continuous assessment (50%). Continuous assessment comprises a seminar (20%) and an essay 3,000 words (30%).

Resit: 1 three-hour written examination.

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during tutorial and seminar sessions.

Feedback

Students get verbal feedback on their seminars and written feedback on their essays.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Jamieson

Pre-requisites

BI 25Z2 or BI 2008; ZO 3304

Notes

This course is an ideal companion to ZO 4542.

Overview

This course will cover the history, discovery and exploration of the very deepest parts of the oceans; the Abyssal zone (3000-6000m) and the Hadal zone (6000-11,000m). Content will cover many aspects including sampling technology, geological formation, physical environment, complex habitats, adaptations to extreme environments and detailed coverage of the communities found at abyssal and full ocean depth. The course will provide insight into the most state-of-the-art technology and research and will place these still vastly unexplored habitats in a global context under the umbrella of an ever changing climate and the influence they have on human activities. Relevant ecological theory, applications and sampling/data analysis approaches will be obtained from lectures, discussions and a practical assignment.

Structure

3 two-hour lectures per week, 1 all day practical at Oceanlab, Newburgh; total contact time about 44 hours; Thread 1, weeks 36-44.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour exam (70%), one practical (20%) and one oral presentation (10%).

Resit: 1 three-hour exam (100 %).

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during discussions and the practical session.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments.