This subject requires on campus attendance. Refer to Additional Requirements for more information.
Vertebrate Biology and Behaviour
UndergraduateMAQ-BIOX35102024
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- 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.
- 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).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Elective
- MAQ-BSC-DEG-2024 - Bachelor of Science
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.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-BSC-DEG