Courses list

Wersja polska

Course code: BBS20376o14
Semester: 2014/2015 summer
Name: Mammalogy
Major: Biology
Study Type: second cycle
Course type: compulsory
Study Semester: 2
ECTS points: 3
Hours (Lectures / Tutorials / Other): 15 / 15 / 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: Konwledge After completing the course students obtain the knowledge about: (1) phenomena and natural processes in research and practical activities, (2) methodology of research in theory and in practice, (3) formulating research hypotheses and solving the basic problems, (4) presenting the results of the laboratory work in electronic form (i.e. as PowerPoint presentation, (5) complex phenomena and processes of biology and their compounds with the other fields of science, (6) opportunities for practical use of the gained knowledge in socio-economic life, (7) functioning of the humans in nature and the impact of economic activity on the environment, (8) the most important civilization risks and indicates the actions to reduce them, (9) the physiological bases of animal behavior, (10) strategies associated with obtaining food, reproduction and parental care, (11) evolution of the defence mechanisms and interactions on –intra and –inter specific level, (12) organization of ecological systems, (13) evolutionary changes in the form of organisms in the context of changing environmental conditions, (14) obtaining the licenses for conducting experiments on animals. Skills After completing the course students will be able to: (1) plan and carry on field and laboratory experiments, (2) document the undertaken experiments in clear and professional form, (4) smoothly and safely uses the given equipment during the field and laboratory work, (5) prepare the results of their research (including basic statistics) or studies of other authors in attractive electronic form and present it in Polish and in foreign language, (6) use Polish and foreign sources of scientific information, (7) critically evaluate the reliability of different information sources, (8) confront their own views with the other and discuss them using scientific terminology, (9) analyze and interpret the links between the environment and the form, function and behavior of mammals, (10) specify basic environmental requirements of selected groups of mammals, and to define their adaptations to the environment, (11) determine the selected mammals into genus and/or species level, basing on morphology, using identification keys, (12) assess and measure the impact of human activity on the functioning of selected mammalian species in ecosystems, (13) propose and conduct simple tasks for the protection of endangered species of mammals.

Competences: Personal and social competences (attitudes) After passing the course students: (1) are willing to regularly update knowledge and are aware of the need for lifelong learning, (2) schedule research adjusting them to the conditions of equipment and capabilities, while specifying the priority of the task, (3) show creativity in solving problems, acting in a systematic and creative way, (4) are responsible and taking care of the entrusted equipment, (5) schedule a study adjusting them to the conditions and equipment capabilities, (6) properly plan, organize and conduct study, (7) respects the work of others and are oriented towards the effective and secure collaboration, (8) cares about the safety of their own work and the others, (9) are open to resolving the problems of research with the use of the latest technologies.

Prerequisites: none

Course content: the first part of the course contains information about study methods i.e. – trapping, preserving and maintaining the mammalian collection, marking, radio-tracking and using data loggers. During its second part the protection status of mammals in Europe is revealed and the procedures of applying for licenses are described. The next part contains the information about taxonomy, species diversity and role in ecosystems of particular mammalian orders. The last part is composed of the field trip including the practical course of radio-tracking.

Recommended literature: 1. Corbet, G. B., J. E. Hill. 1991. A world list of mammalian species, Oxford Univ. Press, London. 2. Kunz, Thomas H., M. Brock Fenton (red.). 2003. Bat Ecology. 3. Mitchell-Jones, i in. 1999. Atlas of European Mammals. Academic Press, London. 4. Nowak, R. M. 1994. Walker's Bats of the World. 5. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Vol. 1-2. 6. Pucek, Z. (red.). 1984. Klucz do oznaczania ssaków Polski: Mammals, PWN, Warszawa. 7. Pucek, Z., J. Raczyński. 1983. Atlas rozmieszczenia ssaków w Polsce. PWN, Warszawa

Assessment methods: Tutorials: the current score (on the basis of oral statements) progress in knowledge and activity. Assessed is also a report of the results of measurements of the skulls (performed in triple groups), including the statistical analysis of data, presented in the electronic form as PowerPoint presentation. The presence on the tutorials is obligatory; the student can have only one unjustified absence. The field course is compulsory. In the case of justified absence, the passing of the relevant part

Comment: specialization: Environmental Biology