This module will provide you with the theoretical underpinning behind the concept of biodiversity, introduce you to the main groups of animals, develop your identification and field work skills.

The concept of biodiversity, its generation (speciation), maintenance, importance (Ecosystem services etc), measurement, and past and current threats.

Linnaean principles. Using dichotomous and multi access keys and understanding the criteria for constructing them.

Introduction to the major phyla (e.g. Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, Echinodermata, Chordata) and evolutionary trends in the animal kingdom (e.g. radial and bilateral symmetry, body layers, coelomic cavity, body systems, embryology and development).


The module culminates in a residential field course that will give you the opportunity to encounter and study living organisms from a wide range of animal phyla in their natural habitat. It will also provide an opportunity to develop your problem-solving and field-based research skills via a series of whole-class activities and an individual small research project.

There are THREE pieces of summative assessment:

40% Completion of a practical workbook. (To assess learning outcomes 1 & 3)


20% 1 hour Identification Test (To assess learning outcome 2)

40% Production of a 'scientific paper' (approx. 2000 words) based on an investigation carried out on the residential field course. (To assess learning outcome 4). This is the FINAL assessment

The on-campus component of the module consists of a combination of lectures (typically 2 hours per week over 10 weeks) and practicals (3 hours per week), totalling 50 hours. The practical elements also may include visits to Hanley Museum and the SeaLife Centre at Alton Towers.

The 7-day residential field course (equating to approximately 50 hours) will be based on the coast and thereby enable you to survey and identify living specimens from a large range of animal phyla, and also to investigate the behaviour and ecology of selected species.

The 200 hours of independent study will be used to work on the assignments, and to carry out set tasks in advance of or following on from the lectures and practicals.
(n.b. up to 20 of these hours may become compulsory attendance, see *)

*Based upon ongoing module performance students may be required to attend a number of compulsory extra sessions as directed by the tutors. These sessions may vary according to student need and timing of occurrence, but are considered as essential and compulsory.

1.Demonstrate understanding of key evolutionary and zoological concepts
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

2.Recognise animal classes from a variety of phyla, and use identification keys
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING, APPLICATION

3.Carry out, in a safe, ethical and environmentally responsible way, a range of ecological sampling and survey techniques
ENQUIRY

4.Design, carry out, analyse and report on a well-defined piece of research
ANALYSIS, COMMUNICATION, PROBLEM SOLVING

Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. http://animaldiversity.org/

Hickman, C.P, Roberts, L.S., Keen, S.L., Larson, A., & Eisenhour, D. J. (2014) Animal Diversity. Edition. McGraw Hill International

Reece, J.B. et al. (2014) Campbell Biology. 10th Edition Pearson Education eBook.

Coastal venue for the residential field course. Transport. Preserved specimens from a range of animal groups.