NCBS Courses

VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY:

Description:

This paper would give a comprehensive introduction to the radiation, diversity

and distribution of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals and comparative account of the digestive systems, reproductive biology, life history and social and mating systems. We would also have taxa-specific ecological accounts. There would be an emphasis on taxa in the Indian sub-continent.

Objectives:

By the end of this paper, you are expected to have a good understanding of the following aspects of vertebrates:

1. Radiations and extinctions, global diversity and current threats

2. The diversity and regional biogeography

3. Digestive systems and feeding ecology

4. Reproductive biology of vertebrates

5. Life history and reproductive modes

6. Social and mating systems

7. Commonly used methods to study vertebrates

Structure:

For each major topic, we would ask one major question which we would try to answer through:

(a)    Review of audio-visual media

(b)   Literature review – followed by student presentations, discussions and/or written assignments

(c)    Collection and analysis of secondary data – followed by student presentations, and discussion

(d)   Collection and analysis of primary data – followed by presentations and written reports

Although there would be short lectures introducing a topic and guest talks on case studies, the learning would be primarily driven by the three processes described above.

Basic Ecology

MSc  Wildlife batch 2018-2020

Introduction to R

MSc  Wildlife batch 2018-2020