Department of Zoology

 

Part IB Animal Biology

Fish heads by Nanna Evers

Aims and learning outcomes

Aims

  • To show how the form, function and behaviour of animals become adapted to the environment through evolution.
  • To elucidate general biological principles through the study of specialised or experimentally tractable systems.
  • To prepare students for Part II courses that requires knowledge of animal biology at the systems and organismal levels.
  • To develop students’ practical scientific skills.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be

  • able to appreciate the complexities of biological organisation and be able to address scientifically controversial issues in a rational way.
  • able to interpret material in terms of biological function and the effect of natural selection.
  • able to analyse and report on material learned.
  • able to assess the scope of animal biology and be able to select particular areas for further study.
  • aware of the breadth of studies on the biology of animals as they relate to the evolution, function, behaviour and behavioural ecology of animals. • able to integrate related topics from separate parts of the course.