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 three-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 D Hazlerigg

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

Dr J Travis

Pre-requisites

BI 2001

Overview

This course deals with the basic ecological theory and mathematical modelling approaches required to study animal population dynamics, especially those populations which have importance for conservation consideration, management and 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, 4 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%)(which comprises four practical reports (40%) and a quiz held in the classroom (10%) An 1 hour exam on in-course material for those candidates who failed this assessment. 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 F Wragg

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

Introduction to the study of animal behaviour: 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, behavioural ecology; 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%). 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 Tara Marshall

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 Douglas

Pre-requisites

MR 1008 or MR 1510 or BI 2001 or BI 20Z1 or BI 25ZI or BI 25Z3. 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

30

Course Coordinator

Dr J Sternberg and Dr P J Fraser

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 and to submit a thesis.

Structure

Independent work.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Evaluation of the thesis and seminar and an oral examination.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J Sternberg and Dr P J Fraser

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

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Paul Thompson

Pre-requisites

ZO 3504

Overview

This course deals with the current advances in Marine and Fisheries science, including the application of ecosystems and food web approaches, marine mammal ecology and cephalopod biology.

Structure

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

Assessment

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

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

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 - 4 one-hour lectures; 1 hour tutorial per week.

Assessment

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

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

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, mapping data using GIS, and for effectively working for conservation with communities will be introduced.

Structure

Thread I: 6 week course - 2 two-hour lectures/seminars per week and 6 three-hour practicals.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (66.6%) and one talk (33%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor P A Racey

Pre-requisites

Available only to students in Programme Year 4.

Overview

Principles of Conservation Biology and how they are reflected in policy and practice. Different approaches to establishing priorities for conservation by governments (with reference to WSSC) and NGOs (comparing WWF's Ecoregions with CI's hotspots and WCS's landscape approaches). Assessment of Diamond's Evil Quartet and counter measures with particular relevance to the Bushmeat trade and invasive species. The use of molecular genetic techniques in conservation biology. Community-based approaches to conservation. Case studies will be presented by University and Research Institute staff.

Structure

Thread II: 6 weeks - 2 two-hour lectures per week, 3 hours of guest lecturers per week, 2 hours of student presentations per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written exam.

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Alex Douglas & Fiona Wragg

Pre-requisites

Animal Behaviour (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. The main theme of this course is to explore the links between animal behaviour and population and community ecology. 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

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

Assessment

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

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

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

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%).

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

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%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

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 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%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Hazlerigg

Pre-requisites

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%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

C S Jones & L R Noble

Pre-requisites

BI 2002, ZO 3009

Notes

Only available to students in Level 4 of Zoology, Biology & other Biological Sciences.

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, genetic exchange within the natural environment, and ecological aspects of environmental release of recombinant organisms. The course will introduce the genetic markers, the techniques and analysis commonly used in this field. Emphasis will be placed uopn molecular data acquisition and statistical analysis 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 the neutral theory and molecular clocks, the significance of the use of mitochondrial DNA for polyogenetic and phylogeographic studies, inbreeding depression, and applications to behavioural ecology (paternity and relatedness), and the release of genetically modified organisms. Case studies will be given that employ either neutral markers for inference about ecological and evolutionary processes in natural or introduced populations, or examine ecologically important genes and their products directly. An intuitive grasp of the relevant theory, applications and analytical approaches will be obtained through lectures, discussions, and case studies via poster presentations, and primary journal article readings.

Structure

Thread II: 6 weeks.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 3 hour written exam (100%).

Resit (for Honours students only): Candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit themselves for re-assessment and should contact the Course Co-ordinator for further details.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Martin Solan

Pre-requisites

Ocean Biology (BI 25Z2), Marine Ecology and Ecosystems (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

4 one and half hour lectures per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three hour examination.

Resit: 1 three hour examination.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr D Hazlerigg & Dr P Fraser

Pre-requisites

Environmental Physiology (ZO3302).

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 involved complex mechanisms to take advantage of temporal cues present in the environment (primarily, but not exclusively light) to synchronise endogenous "biological clocks". The course will explore through examples the range of timescales over which such clocks operate. Current understanding of how a range of different timing mechanisms operate will be explored, with emphasis placed on the intellectual and experimental approaches that have led to this understanding. The broader significance of biological timing processes for environmental and biomedical science will be examined, including implications for life in a "24 hour society".

Lectures will be supplemented by case studies in key topics, student-centred learning, discussion groups and debates on current journal articles. Data processing and modelling aspects of research into biological rhythms will be developed through computer practical sessions.

Structure

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

Assessment

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

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