BIO203 Animal Systematics (8)

CSU Discipline Area: Biological Sciences (BILSC)

Duration: One session

Abstract:

This subject focuses on the classification and identification of the invertebrates and vertebrates. The emphasis will be on the major groups in the Australian fauna, their evolutionary relationships, and the use of keys for their identification. It builds on introductory biological knowledge to examine selected groups of fauna through a series of investigations in the laboratory. Animal systematics provides a good, solid grounding in what types of animals exist, how they are distinguished from other animals, and what their form and functions are. This will give you experience in their anatomy (through laboratory work and/or a residential school), and will be invaluable for understanding how animals function, when you go on to study aspects of their ecology in other subjects. The subject contains a total estimated workload of 150 hours.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations

Session 1
Internal	Albury-Wodonga
Internal	Wagga Wagga
Distance *	Albury-Wodonga

*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: BIO203

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to:

describe the evolutionary relationships of major animal groups worldwide
describe the important characteristics that are used in the classification and identification of major animal groups
explain the classification and taxonomy of Australian vertebrates and invertebrates
use dichotomous keys to identify species of vertebrates and invertebrates
implement appropriate collecting, preservation and storage techniques for various animal groups in order to prepare useful reference collections
describe in detail the biology of selected examples
make accurate field observations and records and prepare a scientific report

Syllabus:

The subject will cover the following topics:

Biogeography of major terrestrial animal groups in Australia;
Evolutionary relationships of world fauna in general, Australian fauna in particular;
Overview of characteristics of the major vertebrate and invertebrate groups including behaviour and selected life cycles;
Classification and identification of mainly Australian terrestrial fauna using keys;
Collection, preservation and storage techniques.

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 4 day residential school.

The residential school has a number of practical exercises, fieldwork based around Albury

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