Animal Structure and Function

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours

EITHER

Both

OR

Both

None

None

Students who have received credit for either of the following may not enrol in this subject for credit.

• 654-201 Invertebrate Structure and Function (prior to 2009)
• 654-202 Vertebrate Structure and Function (prior to 2009

For the purposes of considering applications for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005) and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, this subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject involves the dissection of dead animals in practicals. Students' participation in practical activities is required.

Animals show remarkable diversity in form and function. In this subject you will explore how form and function are related, starting with simple animals like corals and working up to apes and humans. We ask: How are these animals related by evolution? What do they do, and how do they do this? These are the different ‘technologies’ animals have evolved to solve the problem of how to move and feed. In the practicals, you will learn how to classify animals and interpret their features, and develop an understanding of how birds fly, fish feed, worms burrow and parasites infect us.

Upon completion of this subject students should have an appreciation of the relationship between structure and function in animals, especially the mechanisms involved in locomotion and food capture; an insight into the evolutionary history, diversity and relationships of animal groups, and the unique adaptations of these groups that allow them to occupy diverse habitats and roles in ecosystems.

Assessment of laboratory and/or excursion work during semester (25%); assessment of essay work and progress tests during the semester (20%); a 3-hour written examination during the examination period, covering both lecture and practical material (55%)

Hickman et al Integrated Principles of Zoology, McGraw Hill

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

The subject builds upon generic skills developed in first year level subjects, including the ability to approach and assimilate new knowledge and an ability to use that knowledge to evaluate theories and communicate ideas. Students should also develop skills in dissection and critical preservation of animals; and to use the results of observation to pose and answer theoretical questions and to solve practical problems. Students should master the terminology of the field and gain experience in using that mastery to access an established body of scientific literature and material. Thus they should develop the ability to critically evaluate questions and issues in a scientific field.

This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.