{"id":1605,"date":"2022-01-20T21:42:43","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T21:42:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=degree&#038;p=1605"},"modified":"2025-04-11T17:01:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T16:01:07","slug":"zoology","status":"publish","type":"degree","link":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?degree=zoology","title":{"rendered":"Zoology"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The BSc in Zoology is a four-year course run by the School of Biology. The programme begins with a broad foundation across the range of biology, and then progresses from modules in molecular, cellular and organismal biology to a choice of options across a range of topics such as animal behaviour, development, evolution, neurobiology, environmental physiology, sea mammal biology, and various more ecological topics.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside zoology, in the first year of your studies you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year, you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/subjects\/study-options\/ug\/degree-routes\/honours\/\">how academic years are organised<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In third year, there is a shift from core, broad-themed modules to more specialised modules that allow students to prepare for their Honours degree. In fourth year, students continue specific research in their chosen area through student-led, inquiry-based learning.<\/p>\n<p>The University of St\u00a0Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/subjects\/study-options\/ug\/flexible\/\">flexible degree structure web page.<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"alert alert-info\">\n<p>Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/subjects\/biology\/zoology-bsc\/direct\/\">directly into the second year of this course<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Centres of research within the School of Biology offer students the experience of working alongside experts and the opportunity to develop their own research in Honours years.<\/p>\n<p>These facilities include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/soi.st-andrews.ac.uk\/\">The Scottish Oceans Institute<\/a>\u00a0houses a modern aquarium and laboratories for molecular, developmental and physiological studies of marine systems. The institute is ideally placed on the seashore near grey and common seal colonies and bottlenose dolphin feeding areas.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk\/cbd\/\">The Centre for Biological Diversity<\/a>\u00a0has excellent facilities for behavioural, ecological and evolutionary research on small animals (including birds, insects and fish) and on plants.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.st-andrews.ac.uk\/bsrc\/\">The Biomedical Sciences Research Complex<\/a>\u00a0offers large multi-group laboratories that are focused on structural biology, molecular microbiology, virology, chemical biology and molecular medicine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The BSc in Zoology is a four-year course run by the School of Biology. The programme begins with a broad foundation across the range of biology, and then progresses from modules in molecular, cellular and organismal biology to a choice of options across a range of topics such as animal behaviour, development, evolution, neurobiology, environmental&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":400,"template":"","class_list":["post-1605","degree","type-degree","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"related_modules":[{"assessment_details":"Coursework = 100%","contributing_staff":[1452,1539,1660,1661,1663,1665,1666,1667,1668,1670,1671],"learning_outcomes":"The aim of this module is to introduce you to fundamental concepts in biology related to cells, biological molecules, genetics and evolution.\r\nThe module is divided into several sections covering: Cells &amp; Genetics, Biological molecules &amp; biotechnology, Energy &amp; metabolism, Evolution\r\n\r\nStudents completing module BL1101 successfully should be able to:\r\n\r\nUnderstand the basic structure and function of cells, how cells originated, and their organelles.\r\nUnderstand Mendelian genetics and its extensions, be able to map genes from linkage data.\r\nUnderstand the basic structure of DNA and RNA and their role in protein synthesis.\r\nHave a general understanding of bioinformatics.\r\nHave a general understanding of modern biotechnology, including uses of recombinant DNA.\r\nUnderstand what proteins are and how they function.\r\nUnderstand the usage of energy in living systems and the basic features of metabolism.\r\nUnderstand basic principles governing biological evolution.","module_code":"BL1101","programme":[1595,1533,1596,1597,1598,1599,1600,1601,1602,1603,1604,1605],"skills":[111],"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S1\/BL1101","credits":"20","semester":"1","module_organiser":1682,"pre-requisite_modules":false,"additional_information":"","ID":1606,"post_title":"BL1101 - Biology 1","post_content":"<span>This module is an introduction to molecular and cellular biology. It covers cell diversity and the origins of life, cellular structures and fundamental processes. The central dogma of molecular biology is investigated through the examination of the structure and function of DNA, RNA and proteins, and how this knowledge led to modern developments in biotechnology. The final section of the module gives an introduction into molecular and population genetics with an emphasis on the process of evolution. Throughout the module, the lecture material is complemented by practical classes where biological laboratory techniques are taught.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"96","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:47:33","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:47:33","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"bl1101-2","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-11 09:11:43","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-11 08:11:43","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1606","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1720","4","2022-05-18 16:37:23","2022-05-18 15:37:23","","BL1101","","inherit","open","closed","","bl1101","","","2022-05-18 16:37:23","2022-05-18 15:37:23","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/BL1101.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1720"],"post_format":false,"skill":[{"term_id":"111","name":"Agarose Gel","slug":"agarose-gel","term_group":"0","term_taxonomy_id":"111","taxonomy":"skill","description":"","parent":"102","count":"1","object_id":"1606","term_order":"0","pod_item_id":"111"}],"id":1606},{"assessment_details":"Coursework = 100%","contributing_staff":[1701,1703],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL1102 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Understand the basic conditions required for the origins of life and have a general understanding of the process of molecular evolution.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand the importance of the species contained in the Kingdoms Protista and Fungi.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand principles on which the immune system operates, and its component parts and how they function; and basic aspects of micro-organisms that cause infection.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand the basics of how a human brain interprets the world and controls movement.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand principles governing developmental biology and evolutionary development.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Have a general understanding of animal behaviour, including instinct and learning, the evolution of social behaviour and the evolution of mating systems.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Have a general understanding of the basics of marine biology and marine mammals.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand the principles of ecology.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand the classification and evolution of the flowering plants<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL1102","programme":[1604],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S1\/BL1102","credits":"20","semester":"2","module_organiser":1679,"pre-requisite_modules":false,"additional_information":"","ID":1607,"post_title":"BL1102 - Biology 2","post_content":"<span>This module provides an introduction to the diversity of life on Earth and will address key elements of organismal and ecological aspects of life. The module is divided into several sections beginning with the classification of life and an introduction to the kingdoms Monera, Fungi and Protista. Photosynthesis, respiration and the evolution and diversity of plants will be studied. Students will then look at the diversity of animals in the sea and the movement of some groups onto land. The module will also provide an introduction to animal behaviour and developmental biology, before finishing off by introducing ecology and the various factors promoting and threatening biodiversity. Throughout the module the lecture material is complemented by extensive practical classes introducing a variety of fieldwork and laboratory techniques.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:48:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:48:14","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"biology-2","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-06-29 14:44:50","post_modified_gmt":"2022-06-29 13:44:50","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1607","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["768","4","2017-08-09 15:30:11","2017-08-09 15:30:11","","current_student_0004_Layer 2","","inherit","closed","closed","","current_student_0004_layer-2","","","2017-08-09 15:30:11","2017-08-09 15:30:11","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2017\/08\/current_student_0004_Layer-2.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","768"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1607},{"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1802],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL2303 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Develop an understanding of Evolution and its history<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand Natural Selection and Genetic Drift<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Develop knowledge of Molecular Evolution and mutation<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand the evolution and consequences of sexual reproduction<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Know the relationship between speciation and Biodiversity<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand the basic principles of Phylogenetics<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the role of the study of evolution to contemporary society<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL2303","programme":[1605],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S1\/BL2303","credits":"15","semester":"1","module_organiser":1799,"pre-requisite_modules":[1606,1607],"additional_information":"","ID":1609,"post_title":"BL2303 - Evolutionary Biology","post_content":"<span>Evolution is a fundamentally important component of our understanding of all biological phenomena, from molecular to ecosystem scales. This module will give an overview of the history and major principles of modern evolutionary biology, aimed at contemporary biologists of all backgrounds.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:49:50","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:49:50","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"evolutionary-biology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 17:01:36","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 16:01:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1609","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1727","4","2022-05-18 16:37:28","2022-05-18 15:37:28","","BL2303","","inherit","open","closed","","bl2303","","","2022-05-18 16:37:28","2022-05-18 15:37:28","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/BL2303.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1727"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1609},{"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1791,1452],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL2308 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Demonstrate an overview of vertebrate phylogeny<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the controversies involved in phylogenetic reconstruction<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Identify the defining features of the key vertebrate groups<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate how representatives from the key vertebrate groups carry out basic animal functions in similar or different ways<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Discuss sensory and behavioural capacities of vertebrates<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Discuss the use of vertebrates in research and the ethical implications<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL2308","programme":[1605],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL2308","credits":"15","semester":"2","module_organiser":1791,"pre-requisite_modules":[1606,1607],"additional_information":"","ID":1611,"post_title":"BL2308 - Vertebrate Biology","post_content":"<span>This module will explore the diversity of vertebrate animals, beginning with the closest relatives of vertebrates and the evolutionary origins of the group. A detailed look at the defining characteristics of the body plans and lifestyles of the key vertebrate groups will illustrate how they carry out basic animal functions in similar or different ways. This will be put in an evolutionary context to reveal the patterns and trends in the vertebrates as a whole, while also highlighting current phylogenetic controversies. The module will then explore some common themes across the key groups, starting with the developmental biology of some vertebrate model systems and the lessons we can learn from these. We will also see how the highly developed brains of vertebrates have allowed the evolution of astonishing sensory capacities and of complex behaviours, and how these are different (or not) from invertebrates.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:51:18","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:51:18","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"vertebrate-biology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-19 08:57:26","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-19 07:57:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1611","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1778","4","2022-05-18 16:38:33","2022-05-18 15:38:33","image: A group of meerkats (Suricata suricatta), one of the most cooperative vertebrates with a complex social structure and highly developed parental care (AnetaPics\/Shutterstock)","Group-of-meerkats","image: A group of meerkats (Suricata suricatta), one of the most cooperative vertebrates with a complex social structure and highly developed parental care (AnetaPics\/Shutterstock)","inherit","open","closed","","group-of-meerkats","","","2022-05-19 08:53:54","2022-05-19 07:53:54","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/Group-of-meerkats.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1778"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1611},{"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1791,1820],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL2310 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Understand and describe the fundamentals of differing physiological control systems<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Compare the structure and function of the different physiological systems<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand how the integration of physiological control mechanisms permits the maintenance of homeostasis<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand the physiological basis of organismal adaptations to environmental challenge<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use quantitative methods to analyze, and permit interpretation of, important physiological phenomena<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL2310","programme":[1605],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL2310","credits":"15","semester":"2","module_organiser":false,"pre-requisite_modules":[1606,1607],"additional_information":"","ID":1608,"post_title":"BL2310 - Comparative Physiology","post_content":"<span>A comparative physiologist studies organisms to explore the origins and nature of physiological diversity. This module covers the principles of physiological adaptation in a range of animals, including examples from all major taxa and from all habitats. The specific topics and components include: (1) the physiological consequences of body size and scaling effects; (2) respiratory and circulatory systems in vertebrates and invertebrates; (3) thermal physiology: (4) water balance in aquatic and land animals; (5) the mammalian kidney and its functioning; (6) sensory systems in different environments; (7) neural signaling and vertebrate senses; (8) control systems - hormones and pheromones; and (9) immunity and the maintenance of physiological integrity.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:49:09","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:49:09","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"comparative-physiology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-19 09:16:04","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-19 08:16:04","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1608","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1733","4","2022-05-18 16:37:43","2022-05-18 15:37:43","image: Nephila clavata Koch - the Japanese golden web spider. This large bodied (3 cm) spider is a voracious predator and shows marked sexual dimorphism (small males, large females) plus complex mating behavior - including sexual cannibalism.","BL2310","image: Nephila clavata Koch - the Japanese golden web spider. This large bodied (3 cm) spider is a voracious predator and shows marked sexual dimorphism (small males, large females) plus complex mating behavior - including sexual cannibalism.","inherit","open","closed","","bl2310","","","2022-05-19 09:13:54","2022-05-19 08:13:54","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/BL2310.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1733"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1608},{"assessment_details":"3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1790,1680,1791],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL3309 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>List and explain the functional basis of the types of relationships between organisms and abiotic factors<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describe how diversity arises from the physical processes that limit this<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describe how ecosystem functions result from how other organisms ameliorate or intensify limiting abiotic conditions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Give specific detailed examples of how relationships between organisms at an ecosystem level, and ecosystem processes, arise from combinations of abiotic and biotic factors and how organisms and communities themselves then affect abiotic factors.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand the concept of ecosystem services<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand how humans are affecting ecosystem functions and processes and so ecosystem services.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Give specific detailed examples of how humans can change and manage ecosystem services.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate that how humans affect ecosystem functions and processes is fundamental to future quality of life, and how conservation, urban planning and sustainable development can lead to positive solutions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Analyse and interpret complex ecological data sets typical of environmental monitoring.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL3309","programme":[1605],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL3309","credits":"20","semester":"2","module_organiser":false,"pre-requisite_modules":[1810,1609,1804,1611],"additional_information":"","ID":1613,"post_title":"BL3309 - Ecosystems and Conservation","post_content":"<span>This module will examine how ecosystems function and how they provide services for humans: information which is essential for ecologists, conservationists and land managers. The module will consider examples of natural systems being altered by man to demonstrate how ecosystems function and the consequences of anthropogenic change. Disturbance and regulation in ecosystems, atmospheric and hydrological regulation (including the greenhouse effect and acidification), soil ecology, conservation and management of natural resources, agricultural and grazed ecosystems (including GMOs), urban ecosystems and aspects of sustainable development will also be discussed<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:53:26","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:53:26","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ecosystems-and-conservation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-19 09:52:56","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-19 08:52:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1613","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1739","4","2022-05-18 16:37:50","2022-05-18 15:37:50","","BL3309","","inherit","open","closed","","bl3309","","","2022-05-18 16:37:50","2022-05-18 15:37:50","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/BL3309.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1739"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1613},{"assessment_details":"3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1681,1796,1682],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL3315 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Understand the principles and historical background that underpin modern cell &amp; developmental biology.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Appreciate the place of cell &amp; developmental biology in biological science and the rapid new advances being made.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL3315","programme":[1605],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL3315","credits":"20","semester":"2","module_organiser":1681,"pre-requisite_modules":[1794,1637,1804,1611],"additional_information":"","ID":1615,"post_title":"BL3315 - Genes, Cells and Development","post_content":"<span>This module deals with the fascinating and rapidly changing field of developmental biology from a genetic and cellular perspective. It examines how an organism develops from an egg to an adult, how the cell types and organs are specified, and how lost or damaged body parts can be regenerated or replaced. There will be a focus on some of the typical model species used in cell and developmental biology, including fruit flies, nematodes, mice and frogs, but this will be expanded to include other valuable comparative models, such as chickens, sea squirts, annelids, cnidarians and flatworms. The course will encompass multiple biological levels, from genes, through cells and embryos, to the organism's evolutionary history. As such this module is of wide relevance to a range of other biological disciplines, particularly biomedicine.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:54:26","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:54:26","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"genes-cells-and-development","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-19 10:00:47","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-19 09:00:47","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1615","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1742","4","2022-05-18 16:37:52","2022-05-18 15:37:52","image: Homeotic four-wing fly","BL3315","image: Homeotic four-wing fly","inherit","open","closed","","bl3315","","","2022-05-19 09:59:52","2022-05-19 08:59:52","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/BL3315.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1742"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1615},{"assessment_details":"3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1802,1680,1852,1801],"learning_outcomes":"","module_code":"BL3316","programme":[1605],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL3316","credits":"20","semester":"2","module_organiser":1668,"pre-requisite_modules":[1804,1810,1608],"additional_information":"","ID":1614,"post_title":"BL3316 - Co-evolution: living together","post_content":"<span>This module considers coevolution: how organisms influence the evolution of other organisms around them. Some of the most exquisite and remarkable adaptations in the natural world are the products of coevolution, from the elaborate displays of birds-of-paradise to the sexual mimicry of orchids. We will consider coevolution within a species, focusing in particular on the interactions between males and females, and also coevolution between species, including animal-plant interactions, host-parasite interactions, and predator-prey interactions. Topics to be considered in detail will be sexual selection, pollination biology, herbivory, prey defences, the evolution of virulence, and the ecology of coevolution, focusing in particular on tritrophic interactions between animals, plants and fungi. Finally, we will consider broader themes in coevolution, including the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution and applied aspects of coevolution.<\/span><span class=\"data_sources_star\">*<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:53:52","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:53:52","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"evolution","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-19 10:05:16","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-19 09:05:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1614","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1777","4","2022-05-18 16:38:31","2022-05-18 15:38:31","image: Tropical Marine Reef System","DSC06892_1-1-2","image: Tropical Marine Reef System","inherit","open","closed","","dsc06892_1-1-2","","","2022-05-19 11:21:21","2022-05-19 10:21:21","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/DSC06892_1-1-2.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1777"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1614},{"assessment_details":"3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[1799,1857,1816],"learning_outcomes":"Students completing module BL3319 successfully should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Be able to summarise Tinbergen\u00c3\u00af\u00c2\u00bf\u00c2\u00bds Four Questions about the mechanism, function, development and evolution of behaviour.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Be able to discus and critique the quantitative approaches that researchers have developed to study how animals deal with challenges such as learning about the environment, avoiding predators, finding and competing for food and mates and rearing young.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Be familiar with concepts such as game theory and foraging theory and discuss how these can be used to quantify the fitness pay-offs of different behavioural strategies.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Be confident in devising and carrying out your own research into animal behaviour and analysing your own data.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Be able to present your own research findings in written form and as a poster, and be confident in explaining your work to your peers.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","module_code":"BL3319","programme":[1605],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL3319","credits":"20","semester":"2","module_organiser":1799,"pre-requisite_modules":[1609,1810,1608],"additional_information":"","ID":1612,"post_title":"BL3319 - Animal Behaviour: A Quantitative Approach","post_content":"<span>This module is designed to provide a broad and multifaceted perspective on animal behaviour, emphasising contemporary theoretical, mathematical and statistical approaches to the discipline. Nobel-Prize-winning ethologist, Niko Tinbergen, pointed out that to understand behaviour fully researchers had to answer four types of questions, about its causation, function, development and evolution. All four areas are covered in the course, which includes lectures on the genetic, neural, physiological and experiential (i.e. learning) influences on behaviour; behavioural development; foraging; sexual behaviour, sexual selection and mate choice; communication, cooperation and culture. The course contains extensive material of a formal theoretical nature, and emphasises quantitative skills throughout. Students will be introduced to new mathematical and statistical approaches within the field.<\/span>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:52:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:52:44","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"animal-behaviour-a-quantitative-approach","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-19 10:16:33","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-19 09:16:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1612","menu_order":0,"post_type":"module","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["1743","4","2022-05-18 16:37:53","2022-05-18 15:37:53","image: southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa) and red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus)","BL3319","image: southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa) and red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus)","inherit","open","closed","","bl3319","","","2022-05-19 10:14:29","2022-05-19 09:14:29","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/05\/BL3319.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","1743"],"post_format":false,"skill":false,"id":1612}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/degree\/1605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/degree"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/degree"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}