{"id":1611,"date":"2022-01-20T21:51:18","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T21:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=module&#038;p=1611"},"modified":"2022-05-19T08:57:26","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T07:57:26","slug":"vertebrate-biology","status":"publish","type":"module","link":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/module\/vertebrate-biology\/","title":{"rendered":"BL2308 &#8211; Vertebrate Biology"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><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><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1778,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","skill":[],"class_list":["post-1611","module","type-module","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"assessment_details":"2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%","contributing_staff":[{"user-id":"vdb","role":"Lecturer (Education Focused)","module_organiser":1810,"phone":"","ID":1791,"post_title":"Dr Verena Dietrich-Bischoff","post_content":"","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 16:43:48","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:43:48","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"dr-verena-dietrich-bischoff","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 16:43:48","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:43:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=staff_member&#038;p=1791","menu_order":0,"post_type":"staff_member","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"id":1791},{"user-id":"mb273","role":"Lecturer","module_organiser":1606,"phone":"7199","ID":1452,"post_title":"Dr Marcus Bischoff","post_content":"","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-01-18 15:10:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-18 15:10:25","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"dr-marcus-bischoff","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 11:55:29","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 10:55:29","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=staff_member&#038;p=1452","menu_order":0,"post_type":"staff_member","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"id":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":[{"related_modules":[1606,1607,1609,1611,1608,1613,1615,1614,1612],"ID":1605,"post_title":"Zoology","post_content":"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.\r\n\r\nAlongside 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>.\r\n\r\nIn 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.\r\n\r\nThe 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>\r\n<div class=\"alert alert-info\">\r\n\r\nWell-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>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nCentres 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.\r\n\r\nThese facilities include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<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>\r\n \t<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>\r\n \t<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>\r\n<\/ul>","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"96","post_date":"2022-01-20 21:42:43","post_date_gmt":"2022-01-20 21:42:43","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"zoology","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-04-11 17:01:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-04-11 16:01:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=degree&#038;p=1605","menu_order":0,"post_type":"degree","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"_thumbnail_id":["400","10","2015-10-06 21:29:38","2015-10-06 21:29:38","","12036757_10153688467833787_4618725925346231596_n","","inherit","closed","closed","","12036757_10153688467833787_4618725925346231596_n","","","2015-10-06 21:29:38","2015-10-06 21:29:38","","0","https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2015\/10\/12036757_10153688467833787_4618725925346231596_n.jpg","0","attachment","image\/jpeg","0","400"],"id":1605}],"skills":false,"timetable":"","module_code_year":"2021_2\/S2\/BL2308","credits":"15","semester":"2","module_organiser":[{"user-id":"vdb","role":"Lecturer (Education Focused)","module_organiser":1810,"phone":"","ID":1791,"post_title":"Dr Verena Dietrich-Bischoff","post_content":"","post_excerpt":"","post_author":"4","post_date":"2022-05-18 16:43:48","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:43:48","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"dr-verena-dietrich-bischoff","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-05-18 16:43:48","post_modified_gmt":"2022-05-18 15:43:48","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/?post_type=staff_member&#038;p=1791","menu_order":0,"post_type":"staff_member","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","comments":false,"id":1791}],"pre-requisite_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}],"additional_information":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/module\/1611","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/module"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/module"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"skill","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biology.st-andrews.ac.uk\/students\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/skill?post=1611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}