Biology of Invertebrates I

Code:

MA127

Acronym:

BI_I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	General and Aquatic Biology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 3T (of 17-02-2025 to 04-04-2025)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Aquatic Production
Course/CS Responsible:	Aquatic Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCMA	31	Official Study Plan	1	-	5	49	135

Teaching language

Portuguese
Obs.: Algum material poderá estar apenas em Inglês (artigos, vídeos)

Objectives

Expose the students to the biodiversity of invertebrate animals and to lead them to reflect on their evolution,  morphology, physiology,  applicability, and ecological relevance.

Learning outcomes and competences

Acquire knowledge about the biodiversity of invertebrate animals. Have the ability to identify invertebrate organisms and recognize their main characteristics as well as aspects of their applicability and ecological relevance. Understand the phylogenetic relationships between different invertebrate organisms. Acquire observation, analysis and communication skills about these organisms as well as developing a critical and inquisitive mind.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Introduction to the course
Introduction to the theoretical and practical components of the course and assessment methods.

2. Introduction to Invertebrates
Origin and evolution of Metazoa with reflections on their organizational level, symmetry and embryonic development. Useful concepts for the morphological description/characterization of invertebrate animals. Introduction to classification, systematics and phylogeny

3. Phylum Porifera
General characteristics and main classes (Calcarea, Hexactinellida, Demospongiae, Homoscleromorpha)

4. Phylum Cnidaria
General characteristics and main classes (Hydrozoa, Scyphozoa, Cubozoa and Anthozoa)

5. Phylum Ctenophora
General characteristics

6. Phylum Platyhelminthes
General characteristics and main classes (Turbellaria, Monogenea, Trematoda, Cestoda)

7. Phylum Nematoda
General characteristics and main classes (Rotifera, Gastrotricha, Kinorhyncha, Priapulida and Nematomorpha)

8. Phylum Annelida
General characteristics and main classes (Oligochaetes, polychaetes and hirudines)

9. Phylum Mollusca
General characteristics and main classes (Aplacophora, Monoplacophora, Polyplacophora, Scaphopoda, Bivalvia, Gastropoda and Cephalopoda)

10. Other phyla and minor classes
General characteristics (ex. Phylum Tardigrada, for example)

Mandatory literature

Jan A. Pechenik; Biology of the Invertebrates, McGraw Hill, 2014. ISBN: 978-0073524184
Richard C. Brusca; Invertebrates, Sinauer Associates (an imprint of Oxford University Press), 2022. ISBN: 978-0197554418
Cleveland P. Hickman, Susan L. Keen, David J. Eisenhour, Allan Larson, Helen l'Anson; Integrated Principles of Zoology, McGraw Hill, 2023. ISBN: 978-1266577246

Teaching methods and learning activities

In-person with theoretical classes and practical classes. Project-based learning.
B-learning or e-learning methods may be adopted if necessary.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biodiversity
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Aquatic biology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Taxonomy
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Evolutionary biology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	20,00
Exame	80,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	66,00
Frequência das aulas	49,00
Trabalho de campo	4,00
Trabalho escrito	16,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

The student cannot exceed the limit number of absences corresponding to 25% of the scheduled classes (in accordance with the “Pedagogical Regulations and Assessment of Student Achievement” of ICBAS, Art. 19, Point 2).

Calculation formula of final grade

A - Final exam (80%)
B - Preparation and presentation of a scientific work (20%)
Final grade - A x 0.80 + B x 0.20

Examinations or Special Assignments

Preparation and presentation of scientific work.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Examination the same as other students, benefiting from the special periods provided for in the ICBAS regulations. For student workers, exempt from practical classes and respective reports, the exam grade corresponds to the final grade (A - 100%).

Classification improvement

Carrying out a new final exam in accordance with ICBAS rules, maintaining the grades for the remaining components.