This subject requires on campus attendance. Refer to Additional Requirements for more information.
Vertebrate Biology and Behaviour
UndergraduateMAQ-BIOX35102025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
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- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Vertebrate Biology and Behaviour
About this subject
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to
- Apply taxonomic nomenclature to vertebrate groups
- Relate anatomical and behavioural traits to the diversity of key vertebrate species
- Associate the major steps in vertebrate evolution to behaviour, body form and physiological function
- Evaluate different methods for determining evolutionary relationships
- Classify vertebrate behaviour to functional roles and interactions at community levels
- Communicate scientific information relevant to vertebrate biology in oral and in written format
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
Evolution is a dynamic process that has occurred over many millions of years (deep evolution) and continues to this day (contemporary evolution) shaping all aspects of vertebrate biology. This unit considers the major events in vertebrate evolution: invertebrate chordate to vertebrate; jawless to jawed; water to land; ectothermy to endothermy; and land to air. The newly emerging synthesis of evolutionary and developmental biology is having considerable impact on current vertebrate evolutionary theory, as are molecular techniques for constructing phylogenies. These topics are discussed in relation to deep and contemporary evolution of vertebrate groups. Lecture topics also discuss the main traits associated with each group of vertebrates including anatomy, physiology, brains and behaviour. The practical work reinforces the lectures by focussing on the comparative anatomy, morphology and behaviour of representative vertebrate groups.
Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Quality Education; Climate Action; Life of Land
- Science Communication (10%)
- weekly activities (10%)
- Prac report (20%)
- Lab notes (20%)
- Final Examination (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
one of
Others
130cp at 1000 level or above including BIOX2310 or BIOX2210
Additional requirements
- Attendance requirements - On campus practical classes will be undertaken in blocks
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.