Chordates
- Sciences
- 200 level
- 3 credit units
- 193 pages
- 21 units
This course introduces students to the world of chordates, covering their general characteristics, classification, evolution, adaptive radiation, and zoogeography. It explores both invertebrate and vertebrate chordates, including fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The course emphasizes the transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments and the adaptations that accompany this change. Students will gain an understanding of chordate origins, ecological niches, and global distribution patterns.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 45 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Basic Biology
- In text questions
- Self assessment exercises
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of BIO209, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
BIO209 · UNIT 1: GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CHORDATES
It must be emphasized that although chordates are said to have these four basic features in common, some of these characteristics may not be retained throughout the life of an animal but must be present or manifest in an individual at some time during its development.
What you should be able to do
- Describe the general characteristics of chordates
- Classify chordates into their respective subphyla and classes
- Explain the evolution and adaptive radiation of chordates
- Recognize and describe the major groups of vertebrates
- Understand the zoogeography of chordates
- Appreciate the diversity of chordates and their adaptations
What it prepares you for
- Zoologist
- Wildlife Biologist
- Conservationist
- Environmental Scientist
- Research Scientist
- Wildlife conservation
- Environmental management
- Zoological research
- Animal husbandry
- Ecotourism
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Vertebrate Chordates (I)
Unit 2: Gnathostomata
Understanding the evolutionary relationships and unique adaptations within jawless and jawed fish requires integrating diverse anatomical and physiological concepts.
- Module 3: Vertebrate Chordates(II)
Unit 2: Eutherians: Proboscidea, Sirenia, Carnivora
Classifying the diverse orders of eutherian mammals requires detailed knowledge of specific anatomical features and evolutionary relationships.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 61 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Chordates
Unit 1: General Characteristics of Chordates · 3 hours
Define chordate characteristics: notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, post-anal tail.. Identify examples of chordates in your local environment..
Unit 2: Classification of Chordates · 2 hours
Outline the classification of chordates into subphyla and classes.. Differentiate between invertebrate and vertebrate chordates..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Chordates
Unit 3: Hemichordata · 3 hours
Describe the characteristics of Hemichordata, including body division and stomochord.. Compare and contrast Enteropneusta and Pterobranchia..
Unit 4: Urochordata · 2 hours
Explain the characteristics of Urochordata, focusing on the tunic and larval stage.. Differentiate between Ascidiacea, Thaliacea, and Larvacea..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction to Chordates
Unit 5: Cephalochordata · 5 hours
Describe the characteristics of Cephalochordata, emphasizing the notochord and gill slits.. Compare Cephalochordata with other protochordates..
- Week 4Module 2: Vertebrate Chordates (I)
Unit 1: Vertebrata · 4 hours
Describe the characteristics of Vertebrata, focusing on the vertebral column and brain.. Compare and contrast Agnatha and Gnathostomata..
- Week 5Module 2: Vertebrate Chordates (I)
Unit 2: Gnathostomata · 5 hours
Describe the characteristics of Gnathostomata, focusing on jaws and paired appendages.. Differentiate between Placodermi, Chondrichthyes, and Osteichthyes..
- Week 6Module 2: Vertebrate Chordates (I)
Unit 3: Amphibia · 4 hours
Describe the characteristics of Amphibia, focusing on moist skin and life cycles.. Differentiate between Anura, Urodela, and Gymnophiona..
- Week 7Module 2: Vertebrate Chordates (I)
Unit 4: Reptilia · 4 hours
Describe the characteristics of Reptilia, focusing on dry skin and amniotic eggs.. Differentiate between Crocodilia, Testudinata, Squamata, and Rhynchocephalia..
- Week 8Module 2: Vertebrate Chordates (I)
Unit 5: Aves (I) · 3 hours
Describe the characteristics of Aves, focusing on feathers and flight.. Differentiate between Archaeornithes and Neornithes..
Unit 6: Aves (II) · 2 hours
Describe the characteristics of Neognathae, focusing on beak diversity.. Identify examples of birds from different orders..
- Week 9Module 3: Vertebrate Chordates(II)
Unit 1: Mammalia · 4 hours
Describe the characteristics of Mammalia, focusing on mammary glands and hairy skin.. Differentiate between Prototheria and Theria..
- Week 10Module 3: Vertebrate Chordates(II)
Unit 2: Eutherians: Proboscidea, Sirenia, Carnivora · 5 hours
Describe the characteristics of Proboscidea, Sirenia, and Carnivora.. Compare and contrast the adaptations of each order..
- Week 11Module 3: Vertebrate Chordates(II)
Unit 3: Eutherians: Edentata, Artiodactyla, Cetacea · 5 hours
Describe the characteristics of Edentata, Artiodactyla, and Cetacea.. Compare and contrast the adaptations of each order..
- Week 12Module 3: Vertebrate Chordates(II)
Unit 4: Eutherians: Perissodactyla, Chiroptera, Insectivora · 5 hours
Describe the characteristics of Perissodactyla, Chiroptera, and Insectivora.. Compare and contrast the adaptations of each order..
- Week 13Module 3: Vertebrate Chordates(II)
Unit 5: Eutherians: Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Primata · 5 hours
Describe the characteristics of Rodentia, Lagomorpha, and Primata.. Compare and contrast the adaptations of each order..
Preparing for the exam
- Review the general characteristics of chordates (Unit 1) and their classification (Unit 2).
- Create a table summarizing the key features of each vertebrate class (Units 1-6 of Module 2 and Units 1-5 of Module 3).
- Focus on understanding the evolutionary relationships between chordate groups (Module 4, Unit 1).
- Study the adaptive radiation of chordates and how they have adapted to different environments (Module 4, Unit 2).
- Familiarize yourself with the zoogeographic regions and the characteristic fauna of each region (Module 4, Units 3-5).
- Practice classifying different animals into their respective chordate groups based on their characteristics.
- Review all tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and self-assessment exercises.
- Create concept maps linking key concepts from different modules.
- Allocate sufficient time for revision and practice questions in the weeks leading up to the examination.
Questions students ask about this course
What is BIO209 about?
This course introduces students to the world of chordates, covering their general characteristics, classification, evolution, adaptive radiation, and zoogeography. It explores both invertebrate and vertebrate chordates, including fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The course emphasizes the transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments and the adaptations that accompany this change. Students will gain an understanding of chordate origins, ecological niches, and global distribution patterns.
How many units does BIO209 have?
BIO209, Chordates, has 21 units across 4 modules, over 193 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is BIO209?
BIO209 carries 3 credit units, at 200 level in Sciences.
Is BIO209 hard?
BIO209 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does BIO209 take to study?
About 45 hours of study, spread across its 21 units.
How is BIO209 assessed?
BIO209 is assessed by in text questions, self assessment exercises, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What do I need before starting BIO209?
Basic Biology
What can I do with BIO209?
Zoologist, Wildlife Biologist, Conservationist, Environmental Scientist and Research Scientist.