66955 - Zoology (A-L)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will acquire a good knowledge of the main body plans and the biology of the organisms of the Animal kingdom. In particular the student will be able to identify the phylum and the class of an animal and will relate the body plan to adaptive and evolutionary features

Course contents

• Properties of Living Organisms
• The Kingdoms of Life
• Characteristics of the Animal Kingdom
• Evolution: hypotheses, theories, and mechanisms; Lamarck, Darwin, and the Modern Evolutionary Synthesis
• Principles of Taxonomy
• Criteria for Defining Body Plans
• Organization and General Characteristics of the following animal phyla:
  • Porifera
  • Cnidaria
  • Ctenophora
  • Platyhelminthes
  • Nematoda
  • Rotifera
  • Annelida
  • Mollusca
  • Arthropoda
• Panarthropoda: Onychophora, Tardigrada, Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea, Hexapoda
• Echinodermata
• Chordata: Cephalochordata, Tunicata, Vertebrata

Readings/Bibliography

asiraghi - de Eguileor - Cerrano - Puce - ZOOLOGIA - Utet Editore - III EDIZIONE

Sabelli B. - Diversità e Morfologia degli Invertebrati - Piccin editore

Teaching methods

Lectures and compulsory laboratory practicals on zoological specimens.

Assessment methods

The examination focuses on the achievement of the formative purpose:
To know the anatomy of major animal phyla To know the pathways undertaken to achieve the extant animal diversity To know the grounds of biological classification To know the relationships of the studied animal phyla.

The grade is determined through:

1) The final grade (minimum passing mark: 18/30) is based on a written examination consisting of a 30-question test, including open-ended and/or multiple-choice questions. The examination may also include the completion of an unlabeled diagram or structure presented during the lectures. Unanswered or incorrect questions will incur a penalty of 0.25 points each. Duration: 30 minutes.

2) Passing the written (minimum 18/30) test allows access to the recognition and discussion phase of 3 zoological preparations presented in the laboratories. This phase is carried out by the laboratory tutor and requires the recognition and sufficient zoological characterization of at least 2 out of 3 preparations. (15 minutes)

3) Oral questioning on the course contents listed in the program. (15 minutes)

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible ( https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

• Multimedia projector
• Microsoft PowerPoint presentations
• Light microscopes

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Bonfitto