Duration
35h Th, 25h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS) | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
"Taxonomical classifications are theories about the basis of natural order, not dull catalogues compiled only to avoid chaos."
Stephen Jay Gould (1990), "Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History".
This course will aim to present animal diversity, the organisation of the associated tree of life, as well as methods necessary to study those topics.
This course will not be an exhaustive presentation of all animal groups, but rather an integrative approach aiming to put forward the fundamental importance of systematics, constantly evolving discipline and "scaffolding" of biology.
To do so, the course will be, as its name implies, structured in two parts.
First, a part devoted to systematics and taxonomy, including essential rules of those disciplines, key-concepts (species, taxa, characters, etc.) and methods used to build animal classifications.
Second, a part presenting a wide overview of the diversity of heterotrophic organisms, from unicellulars to vertebrates, and emphasizing the phylogenetic relationships linking them together.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
After taking this class, you'll be able to
· Understand how systematics and taxonomy are necessary disciplines for organismal biology, and how they interface with other domains;
· Understand why taxonomical classifications are tools as much as finalities, and why and how they are so often modified;
· Understand how biological innovations (morphological, ecological, physiological or other) can drive animal diversification;
· Develop awareness of links between phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary biology;
· Place most animal taxa on the tree of life, and understand the similarities and differences between groups that make building and developing this tree possible.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
For this course to be profitable, it is important that you master the language in which it will be given (French), but also that you have elementary knowledge (e.g. introductive bachelor courses) of zoology, including animal anatomy, physiology, biodiversity and ecology, as well as evolutionary biology.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The theoretical part will consist in ex cathedra lectures, complemented as often as possible by other media or material (video, numerical resources, etc.).
The practical part will be a supervised group project. Split in groups of 3-4, you will prepare a presentation of an animal group. This project will be realized during the afternoons devoted to practical work. Presence at each session will not be an obligation, but a minimal participation will be mandatory. I will be present during those sessions to answer your questions, help you with the project, and give you access to some books and resources.
The practical part's organizational details will be discussed and submitted to student approbation during the 06/10/2023 class session.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
In order to maximize and facilitate interactions between students and teachers, all sections of the course will be organized in person as long as it remains possible. If required by the circumstances (e.g. sanitary situation), some parts will be taught remotely. In this case, recordings will be shared with the students, and specific time slots will be dedicated to discussion.
Recommended or required readings
All the material used during classes (presentations and complements) will be made available to students after each session, through the eCampus platform.
Although it is by no means necessary, students willing to complement information presented during the course or to begin their learning on their own can refer to:
Richard D. et al. Atlas de Phylogénie. La classification du vivant en fiches et images. Dunod, Paris, 2014.
Lecointre G & Le Guyader H. Classification phylogénétique du vivant. 4e édition. Belin, Paris, 2017.
Ruppert EE, Fox RS, Barnes RD. Invertebrate Zoology. 7th edition. Thomson Brooks Cole, 2004.
Le Garff B. Dictionnaire étymologique de zoologie - Comprendre facilement tous les noms scientifiques. Delachaux et Niestlé, 2001.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Out-of-session test(s)
Other : Project presentation
Additional information:
Assessment will be twofold. The theoretical part will be evaluated through an in-session oral exam. The practical part assessment will consist in the group project presentation, as well as questions linked with this project. The group project presentations could be, if students wish so, organized outside the exam session.
Work placement(s)
There is no field training or work placement for this course. However, the theoretical concepts learned in this course will be used for the "Field Training: biodiversity, phylogeny and ecology (SSTG0024)" course, organized in the Master in Biology of Organisms and Ecology (block 1).
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Course schedule and rooms: see Celcat.
Improvements to the course are made yearly according to new developments on relevant topics and to formal and informal feedback from the students.
Contacts
Course responsible:
Loïc MICHEL
Animal Systematics and Diversity
Institute of Chemistry, B6c, Sart-Tilman
Email: loic.michel@uliege.be
Administration & organization:
Mariella LUNETTA
Department of Biology, Ecology & Evolution,
Institute of Chemistry, B6c, Sart-Tilman
Phone : +32 4 366 50 62
Email : M.Lunetta@uliege.be