Warning! This subjects requires on campus attendance. Refer to Special Requirements for more information.

Undergraduate RMI-SCB301-2023

Animal Diversity

Take a virtual trek into the natural world and study the structures, lifecycles and functions of different animal groups. Explore animal reproduction and body processes. Identify the characteristics in fauna as varied as amphibians, worms, mammals and birds.

From

$1,987 $2,237

Your upfront cost: $0

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Duration

13 weeks

Study method

Online & on-campus

Available loans

HECS-HELP
FEE-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Not required

Start dates

28 Aug 2023

One of Australia's largest dual-sector institutes, offering both TAFE and higher education, RMIT University proudly delivers work-related education and practical research relevant to current business and community needs. More than 96,000 students study with RMIT, and many of their degrees are available through Open Universities Australia.

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2023

Subject details

What you'll learn

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

Know characteristics of important groups of animals;
Recognise unknown animals to major groups (phylum, order or family);
Identify relevant structures for critical body processes and reproduction;
Identify unknown animals to family, genus (or species) using keys and other aids;
Work independently and in teams to achieve these goals.

Topics covered

- Animal Classification and phylogeny
- Sponges and Cnidaria
- Worms (flatworms, roundworms, segmented worms)
- Molluscs
- Arthropods - Insects, Spiders, Crustaceans, etc.
- Echinoderms and Chordates, Echinoderms and Invertebrate Chordates
- Fishes
- Amphibians and Reptiles
- Birds
- Mammals
- Lesser phyla
- Animal Evolution

Entry requirements

Others

This is an introductory subject requiring no formal prerequisites but students will find that knowledge of biology and chemistry at VCE level will be an advantage.

Additional requirements

Attendance requirements - Mandatory lab practical's are scheduled to run for this subject at the RMIT City Campus (Melbourne, Australia) to be advised

Description

Gain an understanding of animal identification for future employment in agricultural, horticultural and environmental areas. You will finish the subject being able to examine animal structure and identify animals in phylum or better level using appropriate techniques. You will study invertebrates (sponges, cnidarian, flatworms, molluscs, annelids, anthropods, nematodes, echinoderms, etc.) and the vertebrates (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals). You will also learn about lifecycles, structure, function and reasons for importance of different groups of animals.

Assessments

Assessment Task 1: Online Quizzes Weighting: 20% Assessment Task 2: Practical Activities Weighting: 35% Assessment Task 3: End of Semester Report Weighting: 45%

Online Quizzes (20%)
Practical Activities (35%)
End of Semester Report (45%)

Textbooks

For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).