ECTS
ECTS Course Catalogue
Course details
Course code: BBS10163o14Semester: 2014/2015 winter
Name: Vertebrate Zoology
Major: Biology
Study Type: first cycle
Course type: compulsory
Study Semester: 3
ECTS points: 5
Hours (Lectures / Tutorials / Other): 40 / 40 / 0
Lecturer: dr Tomasz Kokurewicz
Language of instruction: Polish / English
The course taught in English if the group has ≥6 students. The course taught in Polish with a possibility of support in English if the group has <6 students.
Learning outcomes: Knowledge: After completing the course students will be able to: describe the morphology and anatomy of the vertebrates at every level of the organization; describe the evolutionary changes of vertebrates in the context of their adaptation to the environment;recognize selected taxa of vertebrates, in particular within the Polish fauna (the degree of detail determination depends on the group of vertebrates under consideration); define a habitats occupied by some vertebrate taxa included into the Polish fauna; identify and select the most useful methods in the study of selected groups of vertebrates. Skills: After completing the course students will be able to: determine the selected vertebrates into genus and/or species level, basing on morphology, using identification keys; interpret the adaptations of morphological, physiological and behavioral in an evolutionary context; properly plan, organize and conduct field studies; know how to make and use the knowledge in cooperation with the representatives of science, agricultural, forestry, and others; smoothly and safely uses the given hardware during the field work.
Competences: Personal and social competences (attitudes and behaviors): After passing the course students demonstrate: sensitivity to nature as a set of cognitive, aesthetic, educational, and economic values; awareness of the importance of biodiversity and actively promotes its protection; demonstrates care about the quality and the future of the environment and ethical attitude towards the animals; responsibility and care of the entrusted equipment for field studies and collections of specimens; schedules a field study adjusting them to the conditions of equipment and capabilities; respects the work of others and is oriented towards the effective and secure collaboration, cares about the safety of their own work and others.
Prerequisites:
Course content: The origin of vertebrates, fossil ostracoderms and recent jawless fish, the origin of fish, taxonomy and species diversity of fossil and recent cartilaginous and bony fish, the origin, taxonomy and species diversity of amphibians, the origin, taxonomy and species diversity of reptilians, the origin, taxonomy and species diversity of birds, the origin, taxonomy and species diversity of mammals, selected fish, amphibian, reptilian, bird and mammalian species of Poland – protection status and methods of study.
Recommended literature: 1. Grodziński, Z. (ed.) 1967. Zoologia, przedstrunowce i strunowce. PWN, Warszawa; 2. Juszczyk, W. 1974. Płazy i gady krajowe. PWN, Warszawa; 3. Kowalski, K. 1971. Ssaki, zarys teriologii. PWN, Warszawa; 4. Mitchell-Jones, i in. 1999. Atlas of European Mammals. Academic Press, London. 5. Opuszyński, K. 1979. Podstawy biologii ryb. PWRiL, Warszawa; 6. Pucek, Z. (ed.). 1981. Keys to vertebrates of Poland: Mammals, PWN, Warszawa.
Assessment methods: Tutorials: systematic written checking for assessment (3 colloquia in the semester), the current score (on the basis of oral statements) progress in knowledge and activity. Compulsory field course. The presence on the tutorials is obligatory; the student can have only one unjustified absence. In the case of justified absence, the passing of the relevant part of the material is required. The final score from the tutorials is made on the basis of the average ratings. Examination: students having the final score from tutorials are passing the written examination test (54 questions closed plus 6 open) in a session examining board. The exam lasts 60 minutes. Minimum required knowledge for passing: 60%. If the exam is not passed in the first period, the student has the right to pass it again in oral or writing form during repeat examination.
Comment: Separating the practical field course carried out in spring as a separate subject with individual mark is proposed.