Vertebrate Zoology
Our Online Courses Australia Vertebrate Zoology course is perfect for individuals that are already working with animals. It will cover a broad range of species and you will learn how animals with backbones are classified and the different characteristics of the various groups from birds and mammals to fishes and reptiles. You will also learn principles on animal ecology and morphology.
The aims of the Vertebrate Zoology course are:
- Distinguish between major groups of vertebrates through a demonstrated understanding of their taxonomic classification and diversity.
- Describe the distinguishing characteristics of all major groups of fishes.
- To describe the distinguishing characteristics of all major groups of Ectotherms, Amphibians and Reptiles.
- Describe the distinguishing characteristics of major groups of birds
- Describe the distinguishing characteristics of all major groups of Mammals.
- Describe the distinguishing characteristics of animals in the order Marsupialia and compare mammalian specialisations with those of other vertebrates.
- Describe the distinguishing characteristics of animals within the Grandorders Glires and Insectivora.
- Explain Ectothermy in a variety of different animals.
- Describe the distinguishing characteristics of animals within the order Carnivora.
- Describe the distinguishing characteristics of animals within the Grand order Ungulata.
- Describe the distinguishing characteristics of animals within the Grand order Archonta.
Career Prospects
- Zoo Keeper.
- Employment at a wildlife park or aquarium.
- Animal caretaker of fish, sharks, mammals, marsupials, ungulates, birds or primates.
- Animal Technician or Animal Researcher.
- Veterinary Assistant, Nurse or Professional.
- Farming or pet industry work.
- Employment at bird sanctuaries, aviaries or aviculture centres and companies.
- Employment at an animal theme park, aquarium, reptile centreor zoo.
Course Delivery
This course is delivered 100% online. Upon enrolment students are issued with a login and password, providing access to OCA's e-learning centre. For a full demo of the OCA student experience from enrolment to graduation click here.
Recognition and Accreditation
Upon successful completion of this course you will receive an OCA Certificate of Achievement in Vertebrate Zoology. There are no pre-requisites to this course.
Units of Study
This course has 10 units of study.
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1. Vertebrate Taxonomy and Diversity Taxonomic Classifications (Kingdom, Phylum, Division, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species)
- Morphology and evolution.
- Environmental and genetic influences.
- Speciation.
- Diversification.
- Convergence.
- Diet.
- Habits.
- Distribution.
- Terminology.
2. Fish Diversity (Major Groups)
- Class Agnatha (jawless fishes).
- Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes).
- Class Osteichthyes (bony fishes).
3. Ectotherms - Amphibians and Reptiles
- Definitions - endothermy, ectotermic, tetrapods.
- Class Amphibia.
- Order Anura (Salientia) - frogs, toads, salamanders and newts.
- Order Apoda (Gymnophiona) - Caecilians.
- Class Reptilia - turtles, lizards, snakes, crocodiles and the extinct Dinosauria.
- Order Rhynchocephalia - tuatara.
- Order Chelonia (Testudines) - turtles, tortoises.
- Order Crocodilia - Crocodilians.
- Order Squamata - lizards and snakes.
4. Birds - Physiology (Structure) and Anatomy, Feathers, Colour, Legs, Skeletal structure, Muscles, Senses, Behaviour (Flight, Diving), Egg formation, Hatching
- Bird taxonomy.
- Ratitae (flightless birds).
- Carinatea (flying birds).
- Water birds (e.g. Grebes, divers, ducks, geese and swans, storks, flamingoes and herons, pelicans, gannets and cormorants).
- Owls, eagles, falcons and hawks.
- Chickens, turkeys, game birds and mount birds.
- Rails, coots and cranes.
- Pigeons and sand grouse.
- Gulls, auks and plovers.
- Parrots, parakeets, hummingbirds, swifts, woodpeckers, toucans, wingfishers, bee-eaters, hornbills, trogonos, quetzalsand plumed birds.
- Perching birds such as sparrows, starlings and swallows (Passeriformes).
- Diving birds, loons, cuckoos, coucals, nighthawks, whippoorwills and mousebirds.
5. Mammals (Mammalia)
- Overview - taxonomy
- Sub class Prototheria (egg laying animals) - echidna and platypus.
- Sub class Metatheria (Marsupials) - koala, kangaroo and opossum.
- Sub class Eutheria (Placental mammals) - whales, elephants, shrews, armadillos, dogs, cats, sheep, cattle and horses. Humans are also placental mammals.
6. Marsupials - Subclass Theria
- Kangaroos.
- Koalas.
- Wombats.
- Bandicoots.
- Opossums.
- Phalangers.
- Marsupials physiology, locomotion and reproduction.
7. Grandorders Glires and Insectivora
- Rodents.
- Rabbits.
- Pikas.
- Hedgehogs.
- Moles.
- Shrews and tenrecs.
- Taxonomy, structure and adaptations.
8. Carnivores
- Dogs.
- Wolves.
- Bears.
- Racoons.
- Cats.
- Weasels.
- Hyenas.
- Seals, sea lions and walruses.
- Taxonomy, physiology and adaptations.
9. Hoofed Mammals (Ungulata: Includes Seven Orders)
- Order Artiodactyla - hippopotami, deer, giraffe, sheep, cattle, antelope and camelids.
- Order Cetacea - dolphins, porpoises and whales.
- Order Perissodactyla - horses, rhinoceroses and tapirs.
- Order Tubulidentata - ardvarks.
- Order Hyracoidea - hyraxes (or conies).
- Order Proboscidea - elephants.
- Order Sirenia - manatees and dugongs.
10. Primates and Other Archonta (This Grandorder is Sub Divided into Four Sub Orders)
- Scandentia - tree shrews.
- Dermoptera - flying lemurs, colugos.
- Chiroptera - bats.
- Primates (or order Primates and sub order Strepsirhini) - humans, monkeys, apes and lemurs.
How Long Does The Course Take?
This short course should take approximately 100 hours.
Each unit should take approximately 10-12 hours. Maximum six months access to this online course.
Course Costs
Purchase this course online and complete it at your own pace in your own time.
Pay Now
To purchase this course, simply click on add to cart.
Save at least 15% if paid in full
Pay Now Cost$499
Payment Plan
You may pay for this course via a flexible payment plan. To do so simply select this option and click on add to cart.
$50 Deposit
$50/Week for 12 Weeks
Total Payment Plan Cost $650
