BL4278 Biology of Dinosaurs and Other Extinct Vertebrates

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof G D Ruxton

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof G Ruxton

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

It seems natural to use our understanding of extant biology to make inferences about the past. This allows us to test ideas about evolution and biodiversity in a wider context. Additionally, rewilding is an active but controversial strand of conservation biology that suggests that where keystone species have gone extinct, we should introduce an analogous species. Vertebrates fossilise well, and so offer a good foundation of source material. They are generally large and complex organisms, and we particularly focus on the large representatives of each taxonomic group; this allows us to explore the physical constraints on the functioning of organisms.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

PERMISSION OF BIOLOGY HONOURS ADVISER REQUIRED

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour seminar (x 10 weeks).

Scheduled learning hours

20

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

130

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.