BIOS4215 – Evolution and Systematics of Organismal Groups: The Animal Kingdom
Course description
Course content
The animal kingdom provides by far the largest proportion to Earth's biodiversity and they have occupied all habitats on Earth including other organisms. In this subject, we will present the recent knowledge across different animal groups concerning the evolution of their diversity and adaptive solutions to similar ecological challenges in different groups. The evolution of these traits will be seen in light of the recent understanding of the animal phylogeny, and taxonomy. Hence, the subject will also comprise classes about career opportunities?as collection management or exhibition development.
Learning outcome
At the end of the subject you will have:
- Gained knowledge about different animal groups and their body plans.
- Gotten insight into the evolution and classification of animals as well as modern research methods and important fields of research.
- Learned to how to recognize a board diversity of animals.
- Know about both academic and non-academic career opportunities in this study area.
- Learnt how to present scientific knowledge, to write scientific papers like species descriptions and research papers.
- Developed competence in critical analyses and scientific thinking through the different forms of discussions, which are part of the teaching outline.
Admission to the course
Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may apply to take this course as a single course student.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Applicants are ranked by the following criteria:
1. Master students at the MN faculty who have the course as part of the approved curriculum.?Master's students at the Department of Biosciences are given priority.
2. Students with admission to single courses on master’s level and exchange students
?Applicants are ranked by credits in each group; all applicants within 1st rank before applicants in 2nd etc. If admission is limited to a fixed number of participants, admission will be decided by drawing lots for students who are ranked equally
Recommended previous knowledge
emne: BIOS3100 and BIOS5213 – Phylogeny and Classification
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with BIO4240 – Evolution and Systematics of Organismal Groups: The Animal Kingdom (continued).
Teaching
- Lectures
- Practical tasks
- Visits to collections and exhibitions
- Seminars discussing research papers
The teaching comprises classes about different animal groups, recent research areas in the field as well as collection management, exhibition development, and working with databases. The course will take place at Lids hus, Natural History Museum, T?yen. It is mandatory to attend 70% of all classes.
Attendance at the first lecture is mandatory, also for those on the waiting list. You will lose your seat on the course if notice is not given to the student administration?studieinfo@ibv.uio.no?prior to the first lecture.
The course is only given if four or more students meet at the first lecture.
Examination
The course is assessed through two different types of exams:
- A written species description which counts?40% towards the final?grade.
- A final exam where students have the option of either writing a summary article or creating an exhibition outline on a scientific topic from the course. This part accounts for 60% of the final grade.
Mandatory attendance must be approved before the student can attend the exam.?
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: BIO4240 – Evolution and Systematics of Organismal Groups: The Animal Kingdom (continued)
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.