ONLINE VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY COURSE
"What are the characteristics that distinguish fish from reptiles, and birds from marsupials?"
Learn this and lots more, laying a foundation to identify and understand all types of vertebrateanimals. This course provides a thorough understanding of “higher” animals’: Zoology and Evolution, together with some principles on animal ecology and morphology.
You will learn with the help of highly qualified and experienced tutors.
The course is accepted by some professional associations as points for their Continuing Education Recording Scheme, category “Correspondence courses”.
COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is divided into ten lessons as follows:
Duration 100 hours
Lesson 1. Vertebrate Taxonomy and Diversity Taxonomic classifications
Phylum, Division, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species Vertebrata, Chordata (chordates), Acrania, Urochordata (Tunicata), Ascidia, Synacidiae, Thaliacea (Salpae), Appendiculariae, Cyclostomata (Lampreys and Hagfish), Chondrichthyes (Sharks, Skates and Rays, Elephant Fishes), Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes) (Choanichthyes (Lungfish), Amphibia (Amphibians – Frogs and Toads, Newts and Salamanders, Caecilians), Reptilia (Crocodiles, Lizards and Snakes, Turtles and Tortoises, Marine Iguanas), Aves (Birds), Mammalia (Mammals). Morphology and Evolution Environmental and Genetic Influences Speciation, Diversification Convergence Food types and distribution Terminology.
Lesson 2. Fishes: Fish Diversity - Covering major groups:
Class Agnatha (jawless fishes), Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes) and Class Osteichthyes (bony fishes).
Lesson 3. Ectotherms –Amphibians and Reptiles:
Definitions, Endothermy, Ectotermic, Tetrapods Urodela (Caudata) – Salamanders and Newts Order Anura (Salientia) – Frogs and Toads Order Apoda (Gymnophiona) – Caecilians Class Reptilia – Reptiles (turtles, lizards, snakes, crocodiles and the extinct Dinosauria) Order Rhynchocephalia – Tuatara Order Chelonia (Testudines) – Turtles Order Crocodilia – Crocodilians Order Squamata – Lizards and Snakes
Lesson 4. Birds
Physiology (Structure) and Anatomy, Feathers, Colour, Legs, Skeletal structure, Muscles, Senses, Behaviour (Flight, Diving, etc), Egg formation and Hatching. Bird Taxonomy Ratitae (flightless) birds; Carinatea (flying birds) Bird orders ( eg. Grebes, divers, Ducks, geese and swans, Storks, flamingoes and herons, Owls, Eagles, falcons and hawks, Pelicans, gannets and cormorants, Chickens, turkeys, game birds and mount birds, Rails, coots and cranes, Pigeons and sand grouse, Gulls, auks and plovers, Parrots, parakeets, Hummingbirds, swifts, Woodpeckers, toucans, Kingfishers, bee-eaters and hornbills, Trogonos, quetzals, plumed birds, Perching birds such as sparrows, starlings, swallows (Passeriformes), Diving birds, loons, Cuckoos, coucals Nighthawks, whippoorwills, Mousebirds, etc.
Lesson 5. Mammals (Mammalia)
Overview Taxonomy Sub classes P rototheria (egg laying animals) Subclass Metatheria (Marsupials) and Subclass Eutatheria (Placental mammals -these include such diverse forms as whales, elephants, shrews, and armadillos, dogs, cats, sheep, cattle, horses, monkeys and of course humans).
Lesson 6 . Marsupials
Subclass Metatheria (eg. kangaroos, koalas, wombats, bandicoots, opossums, phalangers, etc) Physiology Locomotion Reproduction
Lesson 7 . Grandorders Glires and Insectivora
Rodents, Rabbits, Pikas, Hedgehogs, Moles, Shrews and Tenrecs. Taxonomy Structure Adaptations.
Lesson 8 . Carnivores
Dogs, wolves, bears, racoons, cats, weasels, hyenas, seals, sea lions and walruses. Taxonomy Physiology Adaptations
Lesson 9 . Hoofed Mammals (Ungulata).
There are seven separate orders within Ungulata as follows:
Order Artiodactyla. This includes: Hippopotamus, Deer, Giraffe, Sheep, Cattle, Antelope, Camelids Order Cetacea. This includes: Dolphins, Porpoises, Whales Order Perissodactyla. This includes: Horses, Rhinoceros, Tapirs Order Tubulidentata. This includes: Ardvarks Order Hyracoidea. This includes: Hyraxes (or Conies) Order Proboscidea. This includes: Elephants Order Sirenia. This includes: Manatees and Dugongs
Lesson 10. Primates and other Archonta. This grandorder is sub divided into four sub orders:
Scandentia e.g. Tree Shrews Dermoptera e.g. Flying Lemurs, Colugos Chiroptera. This order comprises the bats. Primates (Or Order Primates and sub order Strepsirhini) e.g. humans, monkeys, apes and lemurs
AIMS
Describe the distinguishing characteristics of all major groups of fishes. To describe the distinguishing characteristics of all major groups of Ectotherms, Amphibians and Reptiles. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of major groups of birds Describe the distinguishing characteristics of all major groups of Mammals. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of animals in the order Marsupialia and compare mammalian specialisations with those of other vertebrates. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of animals within the grandorders Glires and Insectivora. Explain Ectothermy in a variety of different animals. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of animals within the order Carnivora. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of animals within the grand order Ungulata. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of animals within the grandorder Archonta.
WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE
During this course, the student will carry out the following activities. Where a student’s mobility is limited or there is a lack of facilities in the student’s home locality, an equivalent activity will be offered:
Visit an aquarium supply shop, marine park, fish retailer, or other facility where you can observe fish. If your mobility is restricted or you are unable to locate such a facility, look at the web site of an aquarium, and see what diversity of animals is to be seen on that web site. Identify animals from different orders and report on them. Research the anatomical characteristics of one species of fish Investigate the biological characteristics of one species of amphibian Investigate the biological characteristics of one species of reptile Research the biological characteristics of one species of bird Observe the behaviour of a bird or birds for 1 hour (in the wild, or captivity). Take notes Investigate the biological characteristics of one species of mammal. Research a particular family or genus of marsupial. Visit either a pet shop or zoo and observe any animals from the Glires or Insectivora that you find there. Observe a dog closely. Take note of its external features in the light of the things you have learned in this lesson. Notice the shape of the head, body and legs, the characteristics of the feet, etc. Make notes on your observations. Compile a scientific description of the anatomy of the dog you observed. Where possible, use technical terminology that you have learned during your course. Visit a farm, pet shop or zoo and observe any animals belonging to the grandorder Ungulata that you find there. Make a list of these animals. Research an order, family, genus or species of hooved Mammal (Ungulata). Try to find out about the characteristics of your chosen group Try to observe some monkeys and/or apes. You might do this by visiting a zoo, watching a video or looking on the Internet. Make notes of any similarities and dissimilarities you observe between these animals and humans. Research their physical and behavioural characteristics with a view to comparing these with human characteristics. SPECIAL RESEARCH PROJECT - Prepare a report on the relationship between environmental conditions and Mammalian evolution.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY HOME STUDY COURSE
"Study the dynamic field of vertebrate zoology"
If you love animals and want to learn more about them, if you are involved in animal care and protection, animal management, wildlife management and care, veterinary, science teaching, or environmental management and protection, this course is a great option.
