This course gives a rigorous and most complete vision of the animal kingdom and protozoa. The approach followed is evolutionary and comparative. The students should be able to rely on the notions of zoology seen during this course in order to understand and reframe the more specialised courses that they will follow later, notably parasitology, embryology or animal physiology
- provide an overview of the animal kingdom - compare the structures and functions of the major zoological groups - understand the basis of evolution and phylogenetic relationships between zoological groups - understand the life cycles of the main pests - understanding the ontogeny of a vertebrate
The main structures and functions of the major animal groups will be seen and compared with each other. Students should be able to answer questions such as: what is a diploblastic/triploblastic, acoelomate/pseudocoelomate/coelomate, protostomian/deuterostomian, radial symmetry/bilateral symmetry, what is a chordate, splanchnocranium/neurocranium, basic structures of the vertebrate nervous system, embryology of an amphibian, etc. Numerous examples will be taken from among the parasitic organisms.
The theoretical course consists of an ex-cathedra lecture given by the teacher in an audience. The course is also fully accessible in the form of commented and recorded powerpoint presentations, available throughout the year. A discussion forum allows students to ask questions and debate issues. Additional resources, whether multimedia or scientific articles, are available to complement the learning process. Exercises are also offered (MCQ exercises, etc.). Practical work allows the student to complete the theoretical courses through microscopic observations and dissections.
The theoretical exam takes the form of a multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ). Examples of questions are reviewed during the theoretical course. The exam consists of 30 questions, each with 6 possible answers, only one of which is correct. Students have 90 minutes in total. Three grading scales are applied: 8 questions with a +6 / 0 scale; 14 questions with a +4 / 0 scale; 8 questions with a +2 / 0 scale. There are no negative marks. Practical work is assessed throughout the year and accounts for 30% of the final grade. There is no separate practical exam as such.
A student who obtains at least 10/20 in either the theoretical or practical component in the first session, but fails the final grade, may be exempted from the part successfully completed, but only between the two sessions of the same academic year. No partial exemption of the theoretical course or practical work will be granted from one year to the next (e.g., a student with a grade below 10/20 for the course unit, but who obtained 10/20 in the theoretical exam, will have to retake both the theoretical and practical exams).
Attendance at practical sessions is mandatory. If a student fails to attend, they will receive an absence grade, which will be included in the final grade for this course unit (regardless of the grade obtained in the MCQ).
- Campbell and Rice. Biology. 7th edition, Pearson. - Beaumont and Cassier. Animal biology. From protozoa to epithelial metazoa. Tome 1. Dunod. - Beaumont and Cassier. Animal biology. Les cordés: anatomie comparée des vertébrés. Dunod. - Ruppert and Barnes. Invertebrate zoology. Brooks Cole. - Lecointre and Le Guyader. Phylogenetic classification of living organisms. Belin.
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine | Standard | 0 | 5 | |
| Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine | Standard | 1 | 5 |