Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Advanced Techniques in Zoology
Code LIFE230
Coordinator Dr SU Voelkel
School of Life Sciences
Svoelkel@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 5 FHEQ Second Semester 7.5

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE109; LIFE107 None 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 1
Introductory lecture
  2
This refers to optional small group tutorials
28
Practical sessions, 4 x 7 hrs
    31
Timetable (if known) One scheduled lecture will explain the organisation of the practical, including safety regulations. Students are also expected to watch four 15 minute online lectures on VITAL to introduce each of the
  		  This tutorial offers an opportunity for students to get further feedback on their reports and to discuss any open questions.
  		This refers to practical sessions in laboratories. Students work in groups of 3-5.
  		     
Private Study 44
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  1.5hrs  Semester 2  50  Yes    Exam 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  2 reports, each appr  Semester 2  30  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Reports 
Practical Assessment  Completed in practic  Semester 2  20  No reassessment opportunity    Participation in the practical There is no reassessment opportunity, This cannot be reassessed because the practical classes cannot be repeated. Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 1 will be an objective assessment (e.g. multiple choice and extended matching questions) under examination conditions. Assessment 2 consists of two reports: the first report is to be completed as a group, the second report is to be completed individually. The group report will be worth 10%, the individual report 20%. The group-report mark will be adjusted following peer-assessment of the contributions of individual students. Assessment 3 will be based on satisfactory preparation for, and completion of the laboratory work in each of the four practical sessions and will be adjusted following peer-assessment of the contributions of individual students. The marking of this cannot be done anonymously.  

Aims

  1. To provide students with practical experience of a number of techniques used in zoology

  2. To develop students’ ability to plan and execute experiments and to use appropriate controls

  3. To develop knowledge and understanding in zoology, and ability to apply, evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve zoological problems.

Learning Outcomes
To present, evaluate critically and interpret qualitative and quantitative zoological data, and record procedures and protocols
To plan and execute a series of experiments employing techniques used in zoology, use laboratory equipment correctly and safely to generate data 

To analyse data, interpret validity and apply statistical analyses

 

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - Introductory lecture

One scheduled lecture will explain the organisation of the practical, including safety regulations. Students are also expected to watch four 15 minute online lectures on VITAL to introduce each of the four practicals.

Laboratory Work - Practical sessions, 4 x 7 hrs

This refers to practical sessions in laboratories. Students work in groups of 3-5.

Tutorial - This refers to optional small group tutorials

This tutorial offers an opportunity for students to get further feedback on their reports and to discuss any open questions.

Syllabus
1 

A series of practical exercises will be conducted each week using a ''problem-solving'' format. 


Practical 1:Histological, electrolyte and hormone changes associated with the female mammalian reproductive cycle
- Microscopy of vaginal smears
- Uterine electrolyte analysis
- Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
 
Practical 2: Control of cholesterol levels in starved and fed locusts
- Haemolymph sampling f rom locusts 
- Determination of cholesterol
- Lipid extraction from fat bodies
 
Practical 3:Temperature tolerance
- Behavioural observations of periwinkles
- Spectrophotometric enzyme activity measurements
 
Practical 4: Energetic costs of osmoregulation in the shore crab Carcinus
- Closed-system respirometry
- Winkler titration
- Determination of Na+ by emission spectrophotometry
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: