Unit details

ANIM2207 Animal Form and Function

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	Online	Online Restricted
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 2 core unit in the Zoology; Wildlife Conservation; Biodiversity and Evolution major sequences
• Level 2 elective

Content

Animals provide evidence of the many and varied solutions to the challenges imposed on them by their changing environment. This unit builds on knowledge of the diversity of animals and interprets the differences and similarities within the framework of their evolutionary relationships to each other. While sometimes very different, animals provide many fascinating examples of solutions to the problems of gaining nutrients, removing wastes and surviving to reproduce the next generation. The unit provides a broad overview of animal function and structure and integrates this information with that introduced in earlier units of the major. It is a step leading to the units of Level 3 of the major where the underlying fundamental mechanisms and processes are revealed.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe the structures of animals from animals representing a broad cross-section of animal diversity; (2) demonstrate an understanding of the function of these structures; (3) demonstrate an understanding of the phylogenetic history of the animals; (4) describe the developmental pattern of the animals; and (5) apply the basic techniques in handling and working with animals in a laboratory environment.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) a theory examination; (2) a practical test; and (3) three reports. Further information is available in the unit outline.

For units commencing in May 2022 or later the availability of the supplementary assessment is subject to confirmation.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Except where supplementary assessment is not available in a unit, it will be offered to students in all units who:

• Are in good academic standing overall;
• Have passed over half the units taken in the teaching period concerned, except where they are only enrolled in two or less units in the period;
• Have submitted all assessment items in the unit;
• Have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit; and
• No finding of academic misconduct has been made against them in the unit concerned.

Additionally student may apply for supplementary assessment in any unit which is the final unit required for graduation in there course and where they have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Assoc. Prof. Theodore Evans & Assoc. Prof. Jennifer Rodger

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

Successful completion of Unit(s) EART1105 Dynamic Planet (ID 1247) or Unit(s) BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology (ID 1244) or Unit(s) BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology (ID 1254)

Co-requisites:

Nil

Incompatibility:

Nil

Contact hours

lectures: 2–3 hours per week; labs/practical classes: 3–4 hours per week

Text

Hickman Jr, C. P. et al. Integrated Principles of Zoology, 15th edn: McGraw-Hill Higher Education 2011