Faculty of Sciences, Engineering & Health ZOOL19002 Chordate Zoology

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1 Faculty of Sciences, Engineering & Health ZOOL19002 Chordate Zoology What is this course about? What are the expected outcomes of the course? In this course, students will trace the evolutionary development of that very diverse group: the chordates; from those early non-vertebrate "fish" to the most modern apes (humans) through both the study of theory and the examination of biological material. Emphasis will be placed on the interrelated aspects of structure and function, but their ecology and diverse behaviours also will be studied, and all in the context of an evolving Earth. Course objectives On successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: 1. comprehend the evolution of chordates 2. comprehend the basic phylogenetic relationships of the major groups of vertebrates 3. comprehend and analyse the adaptive changes that have occurred in aquatic vertebrates 4. comprehend and analyse the changes in homologous structures which accompanied the invasion of terrestrial habitats by vertebrates 5. recognise, describe, and point out the external and internal features that characterise the major groups of modern day vertebrates 6. recognise and describe the basic microscopic anatomy of chordates 7. relate and analyse a chordate's structural and functional features in relation to its habitat 8. demonstrate the results of additional reading around the subject 9. communicate knowledge and findings clearly both orally and in writing. Achievement of Objectives 1-8 would be evidenced by your ability to write complete essays and explanatory notes, to construct complete explanatory diagrams, and to formulate comprehensive answers to relevant questions on the topic, in both a theoretical and practical context. Achievement of Objective 9 would be evidenced additionally by your constructive contribution to class discussions. When is it offered? Where is it offered? How is it assessed? What textbooks do I need to obtain? 2011 Term Two For those of you taking the course on campus, the schedule will be published at Flexible Learning, Rockhampton Approved assessment for this course is: Examination 50% Other 50% Assessment 1 25% Essay ALL Assessment 2 25% In-class prac test ALL Prescribed Pough FH, Janis CM, & Heiser JB 2009, Vertebrate life : international edition, 8th edn, Pearson (Benjamin Cummings), San Franciso. Course Profile for: ZOOL19002, 2011 Term Two - Page 1

2 Who do I contact? Coordinator: Bret Heath b.heath@cqu.edu.au Phone: Additional contact details may be found at: Copyright CQUniversity Study Schedule Information for Students for this Offering Week Begin Date Module/Topic Chapter Events and submissions Week 1 04 Jul 11 Brief review of evolutionary concepts. The origin of chordates, vertebrates and vertebrate organ systems. 1,2 Access first of weekly podcasts Week 2 11 Jul 11 The jawless fishes and the origin of jawed vertebrates. The evolution of jawed vertebrates, with some emphasis on the radiation of the chondrichthyes. 3,4,5 Week 3 18 Jul 11 Other basic features of fishes and the radiation of the bony fishes. Week 4 25 Jul 11 The origin of the tetrapods. Soft parts, environmental physiology, and behaviour of early 'primitive' tetrapods (using modern amphibians as a model). Week 5 01 Aug 11 The origins and radiation of amniotes. Early reptiles: anapsids, diapsids, and synapsids, and the characteristics of turtles. Week 6 15 Aug 11 Geography and ecology of the Mesozoic, and the radiation of diapsid reptiles. Week 7 22 Aug 11 Living lepidosaurs: the tuatara and squamates, and non-passive ectothermy. 6 8, 9 9, 11, 12 15, 16 13, 14 Week 8 29 Aug 11 The birds: origin, structure, and evolution. 16, 17, 22 Week 9 05 Sep 11 The evolution and basic features of mammals. 18, Essay (see Assessment item 1) due: Friday 9 Sept (Week 9) Course Profile for: ZOOL19002, 2011 Term Two - Page 2

3 Week Sep 11 Modern mammals. 20, 21 Residential school (15-18 Sept), for all students, including Assessment item 2 (inclass practical test). Week Sep 11 The evolution of Homo sapiens and its consequences. 24 Week Sep 11 No lectures - unless catch-up required. Course Profile for: ZOOL19002, 2011 Term Two - Page 3

4 Assessment Submission Students are required to familiarise themselves with the policies and procedures of the University & Faculty, such as: Referencing Style Copyright Guidelines Assessment of Coursework Policy Student Misconduct and Plagiarism Policy Student User Guide Please refer to the Faculty Guide for Students for general assessment information pertaining to Faculty courses. Faculty Guide Students are required to familiarise themselves with the various requirements outlined in the annual Faculty Guide. Course Profile for: ZOOL19002, 2011 Term Two - Page 4

5 Course presentation This advanced level course is presented in the format of two hours of lecture per week for twelve weeks and a practical component equivalent to three hours of practical per week for twelve weeks. However, the practical component of this course is presented as a block over much of the duration of a compulsory residential school. Overall, there is the equivalent of six hours per week (for twelve weeks) allocated to directed coverage of course content. There is the expectation by CQUniversity an average and successful student in this course would need to spend an additional six hours per week (for twelve weeks) in undirected coverage of the course material including (but not exclusive to) study, assessment work, further reading around course topics, and independent learning. The focus of this course is practical application of theory and developed skills in a critical and analytical way to chordate organism structure and function. Assessment Assignment submission Assignments for this course should be submitted in print using the CQUniversity Student Contact Centre assignment submission system (off-campus students) or the appropriate Assignment Box (currently Building 6, Rockhampton campus; on-campus students). Submitted assignments should include an assignment coversheet, downloaded from the CQUniversity website, completed and signed. Assessment details for ALL students To pass this course, a student must aggregate at least 50% of the total marks available in the course, score at least 50% of the marks available in the examination, and complete all assessment to the satisfaction of the examiners. Note attendance of all students is required for the residential school (15-18 Sept 2011) during which Assessment item 2 - In-class prac test will be undertaken. Further details of the residential school will be found in the course Study Guide, and on the course Moodle site closer to the time. Students will be expected to source learning materials/research and read around topics in the course, as need and interest dictates, using resources such as science journal and magazine publications, other texts, reputable web sites and so on, as part of CQUniversity s focus on lifelong learning and self-directed independent learning. General evaluation criteria Fail (F) Insufficient content: too brief or superficial. Irrelevant content: information supplied does not relate to topic. Serious factual mistakes and/or inadequacies. Apparent lack of comprehension of concepts and issues relevant to topic. Deficiencies in logical argument. Serious or many flaws in written/oral expression. Inadequate acknowledgment of sources. Course Profile for: ZOOL19002, 2011 Term Two - Page 5

6 Pass (P) Credit (C ) Distinction (D) High Distinction (HD) Adequate coverage of relevant major aspects of topic. Evidence of comprehension of key concepts and issues. Clear argument and expression of ideas. Clear attempt to structure paragraphs and sentences appropriately, but with minor (few major) grammatical errors. Accurate and consistent acknowledgment and documentation of sources using the Harvard system as prescribed. The criteria listed above for Pass (P) work plus the following. Evidence of some relevant reading and gathering of information beyond core material. Evidence of comprehension and some judgement relating to concepts and issues. Application of theory/evidence/reading beyond the simplistic or obvious. Mostly well organised and integrated material that supports the arguments. Evidence of well developed thought processes and logical argument. Few errors in written/oral expression. The criteria listed above for Credit (C) work plus the following. Evidence of considerable relevant reading and gathering of information beyond core material. Evidence of critical comprehension and sound judgement relating to concepts and issues. Evidence of a high degree of thought in application of theory/evidence/reading. Well organised and integrated material that supports a well structured argument. Fluent expression of ideas. Only one or two errors in written/oral expression. The criteria listed above for Distinction (D) work plus the following. Evidence of extensive/comprehensive relevant reading and gathering of information beyond core material. Rigorous and sound critique of existing theories, concepts, issues, views, and other relevant information. Evidence of the capacity for, and employment of, independent and original thought, including in the application of theory/evidence/reading. A high degree of precision, rigour, and focus in the argument. No or negligible errors in written/oral expression. Maintains a level of excellence throughout. The assessment criteria to be used to evaluate your performance in this course are provided. Please see the General Evaluation Criteria table presented above, and the more specific Assignment grading standards table that appears in the Assignment Evaluation section of the Study Guide. The latter table details the criteria that will be used to specifically for evaluating your assignment. Course Profile for: ZOOL19002, 2011 Term Two - Page 6

7 Assessment details for ALL students Assessment item 1 Essay assignment Due date: Friday ending Week 9 (9 Sept 2011) ASSESSMENT Weighting: 25% Length: words maximum 1 Objectives This assessment item relates to the course learning outcomes (1 4), and (7 9). Details The assignment is an essay (of words limit) on a topic of your choice that is relevant directly to chordate zoology, that is, with the major theme of either functional anatomy, or evolution, or both (a combination of the two). You are advised to discuss your chosen essay topic with the lecturer prior to beginning your research to ensure its appropriateness and to gauge the ease of its completion. Assessment criteria The evaluation of this assessment will be criterion-referenced (additionally please see Assignment grading standards table in your Study Guide). Course Profile for: ZOOL19002, 2011 Term Two - Page 7

8 Assessment details for ALL students Assessment item 2 In-class prac test Due date: Last practical session (18 Sept 2011) ASSESSMENT Weighting: 25% Length: Duration two (2) hours 2 Objectives This assessment item relates to the course learning outcomes (2 7), and (9). Details A test will be held in the last practical class (18 Sept 2011) of the residential school (15-18 Sept 2011) and will assess your knowledge of the practical work and its theoretical significance in application. Assessment criteria The evaluation of this assessment will be criterion-referenced. Course Profile for: ZOOL19002, 2011 Term Two - Page 8

9 Assessment item 3 - Examination Due date: During exam period at end of term. ASSESSMENT Weighting: 50% Length: Duration two (2) hours. 3 Examination details This assessment item relates to the course learning outcomes (1 9). One two (2) hour (15 minutes perusal) written, closed book examination for all students will be held in the relevant formal examination period at the end of the term, and will be based on material from all aspects of the topics covered in the theory and practical classes. Calculators are not required or permitted. Non-electronic, concise, direct translation dictionaries are permitted as appropriate. Exam booklets and rough working paper will be provided. Course Profile for: ZOOL19002, 2011 Term Two - Page 9