Systematics and Evolution of Marine Invertebrates

Teaching semester

Autumn, every second year (even years).

 This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. Application deadline is Wednesday in week 33 for the autumn semester. Please see this page for more information: https://www.uib.no/en/matnat/53431/admission-courses-limited-capacity

You will receive confirmation of whether you received a spot in Studentweb no later than Tuesday the week after the deadline.

The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on the Mitt UiB learning platform.

It is mandatory to attend the first lecture.

Objectives and Content

Obtaining a comprehensive overview of the diversity of invertebrate animals (phyla) and their morphological traits.

Discuss about animal evolution (metazoans) and become familiar with the latest hypotheses of evolutionary relationships based on molecular phylogenetics.

Teaching activities include lectures, seminars and laboratory activities with hands-on anatomical dissections, optical and scanning electron microscopy sessions.

Learning Outcomes

The students:

• To describe the morphology and anatomy of the different phyla of invertebrate animals and how they are adapted to the living environment.

Acquire knowledge on taxonomy and phylogeny of marine animals, from sponges to protochordates.

Explain the concepts and terms that underlie phylogenetic classifications and hypotheses.

Acquire competences on basic anatomical dissection and drawing techniques.

Acquire competences to understand and discuss conflictive hypotheses on the evolution of the Metazoa tree-of-life.

Recognize the potential of electron microscopy for morphological and evolutionary studies of animals.

Develop a critical attitude towards scientific literature (papers).

To organize, structure, and put together an oral communication.

To understand the dynamics of the scholar process that underlies the "making" of Science.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Basic courses in Biology.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

None

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Lectures, laboratory activities, all 5-daily activities. Approved mandatory activities are valid for 6 semesters.

Forms of Assessment

Approved laboratory report (35%) + seminar (15%) + written exam (50%).

Grading Scale

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

Course Evaluation

Students will evaluate the course in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the Department. You can find courseevaluations in the Quality Assurance Reports.