Overview
An introductory survey of the evolution and diversity of animal life. Essential biological principles are illustrated using examples from New Zealand fauna, issues of environmental, social or economic importance, and cutting-edge research developments at the University of Otago.
Animals live in a hostile world where they must survive in the face of adverse weather and the presence of predators, find resources for body growth and fuel for their activities, and mate and rear their young, passing on genes to future generations. In overcoming the challenges, animals have developed a diversity of body plans, physiological adaptations and life styles. This introductory course surveys the evolution and diversity of animal life. It explores the unifying relationships between form and function among animals from different environments and how animals interact with each other and with their environment. Essential biological principles are illustrated by examples from the New Zealand fauna. Issues of environmental, social or economic importance and cutting-edge research developments at the University of Otago will be discussed. This course is hands-on, with lecture material complemented by practical classes. This paper is normally a prerequisite for 200-level Zoology papers.
About this paper
| Paper title | Animal Biology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Biology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,173.30 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Recommended Preparation
- CELS 191 and (HUBS 191 or PTWY 131)
- Schedule C
- Science
- Contact
- zoology@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Academic Convener: Professor Robert Poulin
Course Co-ordinator: Dr Keith King
Course Lecturers:
Dr Erin Damsteegt
Dr Sheri Johnson
Associate Professor Mark Lokman
Dr Jenny Jandt
Professor Robert Poulin
Dr Paul Szyszka
Dr Keith King- Paper Structure
LECTURES
This paper covers seven modules:
- Animal Diversity (6 lectures)
- Animal Evolution (6 lectures)
- Animal Physiology (5 lectures)
- Animal Nervous Systems (5 lectures)
- Hormones and Reproduction (4 lectures)
- Animal Behaviour (5 lectures)
- Animal Associations (5 lectures)
In addition to the lectures, there are question and answer sessions, assessment-related workshops, three guest lectures and an information session.
LABORATORIES (PRACTICALS)
There are 6 laboratories (practicals). The laboratory topics are listed below:
- Animal Ethics and Diversity
- Animal Evolution
- Animal Physiology - Dogfish
- Animal Physiology - Possum
- Animal Behaviour - Beetles
- Animal Parasitology and Population Modelling
- Teaching Arrangements
BIOL 112 is comprised of 37 lectures (including an introductory lecture), seven question and answer sessions, four 1-hour (assessment-related) workshops, four seminars/information sessions and six 3-hour practical laboratories. Attendance at laboratories is compulsory. Two different Learning & Development Modules (LDMs) will be used as assessments. LDM 1, a group project with written and oral components is worth 10% and LDM 2, an individual written assessment is worth 20% of your final grade for BIOL112. More specific information on each LDM and how it is assessed will be given to you during the semester.
- Textbooks
BIOLOGY: A Global Approach - 12th Edition, Campbell et al. 2021 (ISBN: 978-1-292-34163-7).
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Appreciate and demonstrate the importance of thinking scientifically
- Understand the diversity of the animal kingdom from evolutionary, functional and interactive perspectives
- Describe the biological principles addressed in this paper as they relate to these specific perspectives
- Identify the role of Zoological research in the discipline as it relates to the specific perspectives and biological processes discussed in this paper
- Appreciate and demonstrate the practical skills required to work effectively and safely in a biological laboratory
- Analyse issues logically, bearing in mind all viewpoints, and make informed decisions
- Appreciate the links between disciplines
- Develop awareness that current knowledge can be limited, uncertain and contested
- Be aware of the ethical, cultural, social and economic contexts of native animals and introduced animals in New Zealand
- Begin to develop intellectual independence and foster a commitment to lifelong learning
- Appreciate the need to communicate information and arguments effectively using written and oral skills
- Understand and demonstrate how to work as part of a team
- Know how to access information about biological issues
- Develop confidence and competency in the use of numeracy in everyday situations
Timetable
Overview
An introductory survey of the evolution and diversity of animal life. Essential biological principles are illustrated using examples from New Zealand fauna, issues of environmental, social or economic importance, and cutting-edge research developments at the University of Otago.
Embark on an exhilarating journey into the captivating world of animals with BIOL 112. You'll uncover the remarkable adaptations and diverse lifestyles of animals and explore how animals navigate hostile environments, evade predators and secure resources for growth and reproduction. But it's not just about survival; you will gain insights into behaviour and how animals interact with each other, explore ways animals sense the world around them and discuss how natural selection has shaped the diversity in animal life we see.
But it doesn't stop there. You'll investigate pressing issues of environmental conservation, social impact, and delve into cutting-edge research happening right here at Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou. By the end of this course, you'll emerge with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of the animal kingdom and be ready to dive into more advanced studies in Zoology (this paper is normally a prerequisite for 200-level Zoology papers).
Join us and become part of a vibrant community dedicated to understanding our planet's extraordinary biodiversity.
About this paper
| Paper title | Animal Biology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Biology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2025 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Recommended Preparation
- CELS 191 and (HUBS 191 or PTWY 131)
- Schedule C
- Science
- Contact
- Teaching staff
Academic Convener: Professor Robert Poulin
Course Co-ordinator: Dr Keith King
Course Lecturers:
Dr Erin Damsteegt
Dr Sheri Johnson
Associate Professor Mark Lokman
Dr Jenny Jandt
Professor Robert Poulin
Dr Paul Szyszka
Dr Keith King- Paper Structure
LECTURES
This paper covers seven modules:
- Animal Diversity (6 lectures)
- Animal Evolution (6 lectures)
- Animal Physiology (5 lectures)
- Animal Nervous Systems (5 lectures)
- Hormones and Reproduction (4 lectures)
- Animal Behaviour (5 lectures)
- Animal Associations (5 lectures)
In addition to the lectures, there are question and answer sessions, assessment-related workshops, three guest lectures and an information session.
LABORATORIES (PRACTICALS)
There are 6 laboratories (practicals). The laboratory topics are listed below:
- Animal Ethics and Diversity
- Animal Evolution
- Animal Physiology, Nervous systems and Hormones and Reproduction - Dogfish dissection
- Animal Physiology, Nervous systems and Hormones and Reproduction - Possum dissection
- Animal Behaviour - Beetle behaviour and ethograms
- Animal Associations and Population Modelling
- Teaching Arrangements
BIOL 112 is comprised of 37 lectures (including an introductory lecture), seven question and answer sessions, four 1-hour (assessment-related) workshops, four seminars/information sessions and six 3-hour practical laboratories. Attendance at laboratories is compulsory.
- Textbooks
BIOLOGY: A Global Approach - 12th Edition, Campbell et al. 2021 (ISBN: 978-1-292-34163-7).
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Appreciate and demonstrate the importance of thinking scientifically
- Understand the diversity of the animal kingdom from evolutionary, functional and interactive perspectives
- Describe the biological principles addressed in this paper as they relate to these specific perspectives
- Identify the role of Zoological research in the discipline as it relates to the specific perspectives and biological processes discussed in this paper
- Appreciate and demonstrate the practical skills required to work effectively and safely in a biological laboratory
- Analyse issues logically, bearing in mind all viewpoints, and make informed decisions
- Appreciate the links between disciplines
- Develop awareness that current knowledge can be limited, uncertain and contested
- Be aware of the ethical, cultural, social and economic contexts of native animals and introduced animals in New Zealand
- Begin to develop intellectual independence and foster a commitment to lifelong learning
- Appreciate the need to communicate information and arguments effectively using written and oral skills
- Understand and demonstrate how to work as part of a team
- Know how to access information about biological issues
- Develop confidence and competency in the use of numeracy in everyday situations
- Assessment details
Two different Learning & Development Modules (LDMs) will be used as assessments. LDM 1, a group project with written and oral components is worth 10% and LDM 2, an individual written assessment is worth 20% of your final grade for BIOL 112. More specific information on each LDM and how it is assessed will be given to you during the semester.
Each laboratory session will be assessed with an online Blackboard exit test (BET). These exit tests will consist of questions based on laboratory material, procedures, dissections and discussions. You will have approximately one week after your lab to complete the associated BET. At the end of the semester, your best five out of six BET scores will count and make up 10% of your final BIOL 112 mark.
The final exam for BIOL 112 is two hours long and assesses content from all lectures. The exam question format will comprise a mix of questions that require you to label a diagram, write a short paragraph, interpret a graph, multiple choice questions, and fill-in the blanks. Each lecturer will have a question (usually in several parts). Some lecturers may choose to include multiple choice questions within their question. Others, however, may only have short answer questions for their topic. The final exam is 60% of your final BIOL 112 mark.