Call us: +44 (0)1227 789 649 - Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Vertebrate Zoology
Vertebrate Zoology 100 Hours Certificate Course
Contact us
Learn About Vertebrate Zoology
Vertebrate Zoology Online Course
This Vertebrate Zoology Online Course is “experiential based” and designed to provide you with practical components to make the course as interactive as possible.
It will also provide an opportunity to learn from industry professionals, while exploring the fundamental principles of vertebrate zoology. It will give you a thorough understanding of “higher” animals’ Zoology, Taxonomy and Biology, together with some principles on animal ecology and morphology.
You will learn the essentials of Vertebrate Zoology, giving you a solid foundation to understand animals. It will benefit anyone who is working with animals or it will build a sound foundation for further studies whether in farming, wildlife, veterinary or pet care industries.
The Academy for Distance Learning has a history of supporting wildlife projects.The world renowned Conservationist David Youldon, Chief Operating Officer of AFRICA NEEDS LIONS www.lionalert.org, completed our Advanced Certificate in Wildlife Management and with previous qualifications, went on to study a Masters in Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health at Edinburgh University. He was also accepted for a short course in Data Analysis in Ecology at the University of Oxford.
Currently we have the Primate Naturalist: Karin Saks, studying our Primatology course. Karin has been fostering and rehabilitating orphan baboons, caring for injured monkeys returned to the wild, plus promoting a harmonious co-existence between primates and humans since 1997. She also founded The Darwin Primate Group as a non-profit organisation in 2008 and in 2014, moved to Kwazulu Natal to research the endangered samango monkey populations in the Midlands.
Watch “A Day in the Life of a Trail Camera”, the latest video on the Samango Vervet Monkey Research Project by clicking HERE.
Course Information
Other Categories
Lessons
Lesson Structure: Vertebrate Zoology BEN104
There are 10 lessons:
1 Vertebrate Taxonomy and Diversity Taxonomic classifications (Kingdom, Phylum, Division, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species).
- Morphology and Evolution
- Environmental and Genetic Influences
- Speciation
- DiversificationConvergence
- Diet
- Habits
- Distribution
- Terminology
2 Fishes Fish Diversity (major groups):
- Class Agnatha (jawless fishes)
- Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes) and
- Class Osteichthyes (bony fishes).
3 Ectotherms – Amphibians and Reptiles:
- Definitions, Endothermy, Ectotermic, Tetrapods
- Class Amphibia
- Order Anura (Salientia) Frogs and Toads, Salamanders and Newts
- Order Apoda (Gymnophiona) Caecilians
- Class Reptilia: Reptiles (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, etc), Egg formation, Hatching.
- Bird Taxonomy
- Ratitae (flightless) birds
- Carinatea (flying birds)
- Water Birds (eg. 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, Kingfishers, bee-eaters and hornbills, Trogonos, quetzals, plumed birds
- Perching birds such as sparrows, starlings, swallows (Passeriformes),
- Diving birds, loons, Cuckoos, coucals Nighthawks, whippoorwills, Mousebirds, etc.
5 Mammals (Mammalia)
- Overview – Taxonomy
- Sub class Prototheria (egg laying animals) – echidna and platypus
- Sub class Metatheria (Marsupials) eg. koala, kangaroo and opossum
- Sub class Eutheria (Placental masmmals -these include such diverse forms as whales, elephants, shrews, and armadillos, dogs, cats, sheep, cattle and horses. Humans, of course, are also placental mammals).
6 Marsupials -Subclass Theria
- kangaroos
- koalas
- wombats
- bandicoots
- opossums
- phalangers, etc
- Marsupials Physiology and locomotion, Reproduction
7 Grandorders Glires and Insectivora
- Rodents
- Rabbits
- Pikas
- Hedgehogs
- Moles
- Shrews and Tenrecs
- Taxonomy, structure, Adaptations
8 Carnivores
- dogs
- wolves
- bears
- racoons
- cats
- weasels
- hyenas
- seals, sea lions and walruses
- Taxonomy, Physiology, Adaptations
9 Hoofed Mammals (Ungulata: Includes seven orders)
- Order Artiodactyla. This includes: Hippopotami, Deer, Giraffe, Sheep, Cattle, Antelope, Camelids
- Order Cetacea. This includes: Dolphins, Porpoises, Whales
- Order Perissodactyla. This includes: Horses, Rhinoceroses, Tapirs
- Order Tubulidentata. This includes: Ardvarks
- Order Hyracoidea. This includes: Hyraxes (or Conies)
- Order Proboscidea. This includes: Elephants
- Order Sirenia. This includes: Manatees and Dugongs
10 Primates and other Archonta. This grandorder is sub divided into four sub orders:
- Scandentia e.g. Tree Shrews
- Dermoptera e.g. Flying Lemurs, Colugos
- Chiroptera. This order comprises the bats.
- Primates (Or Order Primates and sub order Strepsirhini) e.g. humans, monkeys, apes and lemurs
Learning Goals
Learning Goals: Vertebrate Zoology BEN104
- 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 grandorder Archonta.
Practical (Set Tasks)
- During this course, the student will carry out the following activities. Where a student is mobility is limited or there is a lack of facilities in the student’s home locality, an equivalent activity can be offered
- Visit a Zoo, Wildlife Park or even a Pet Shop. Observe the range of animals present and report on them.
- Visit an aquarium supply shop, marine park, fish retailer, or other facility where you can observe fish. If your mobility is restricted or you are unable to locate such a facility, look at the web site of an aquarium, and see what diversity of animals is to be seen on that web site. Identify animals from different orders and report on them.
- Research the anatomical characteristics of one species of fish
- Investigate the biological characteristics of one species of amphibian
- Investigate the biological characteristics of one species of reptile
- Research the biological characteristics of one species of bird
- Observe the behaviour of a bird or birds for 1 hour (in the wild, or captivity). Take notes
- Investigate the biological characteristics of one species of mammal.
- Research a particular family or genus of marsupial.
- Visit either a pet shop or zoo and observe any animals from the Glires or Insectivora that you find there.
- Observe a dog closely. Take note of its external features in the light of the things you have learned in this lesson. Notice the shape of the head, body and legs, the characteristics of the feet, etc. Make notes on your observations. Compile a scientific description of the anatomy of the dog you observed. Where possible, use technical terminology that you have learned during your course.
- Visit a farm, pet shop or zoo and observe any animals belonging to the Grandorder Ungulata that you find there. Make a list of these animals.
- Research an order, family, genus or species of hooved Mammal (Ungulata).
- Try to find out about the characteristics of your chosen group
- Try to observe some monkeys and/or apes. You might do this by visiting a zoo, watching a video or looking on the Internet. Make notes of any similarities and dissimilarities you observe between these animals and humans. Research their physical and behavioural characteristics with a view to comparing these with human characteristics.
- SPECIAL PROJECT: Prepare a report on the relationship between environmental change and mammalian evolution.
Examinations
Program Summary
More Information
Gain all important hands-on experience with wildlife animals, to add to your CV whilst you are studying your Vertebrate Zoology course with ADL, or after completing it. We are very happy to be associated with GVE, which offers an unforgettable volunteer experience in South Africa with their Game Capture and Vet Experience programs.
The program fee charged for the experience also acts as the main support for GVE’s non-profit clinic.
Interested in reading more information about both the Game Capture and Vet Experience programs? Then just click on the GVE logo below
Karin Saks – primate naturalist:
Since 1997, Karin Saks has been involved in the fostering and rehabilitation of orphan baboons, the caring of injured monkeys who have been returned to the wild and has worked towards a harmonious co-existence between these primates and humans. She has monitored wild baboon troops who raid human homes to research ways of baboon management and has observed wild troops in her area with a view to finding out damage done to troop structures and numbers because of human intervention. Due to legislation that allows for the persecution of vervet monkeys and baboons in South Africa, hundreds of orphaned primates currently reside in rehabilitation centres without much chance of being released back into the wild. The primate pet trade is also on the increase due to the amount of infants orphaned when mothers are killed. Educating the public on how to live harmoniously with these primates and appealing for new protective legislation – that is actively enforced – are crucial aspects to finding solutions.
The Darwin Primate Group – registered NPO 059-587: Like many who take on the task of rescuing these persecuted animals, Karin self funded her work until 2008 when she founded the Darwin Primate Group and registered it as a non-profit organization.
Research into endangered samango monkey (Cercopithecus mitis labiatus) populations: In 2014, Karin moved to Kwazulu Natal where she is researching the endangered samango monkey (Cercopithecus mitis labiatus) populations in the Midlands. (She is no longer working directly with rescued baboons or vervet monkeys.) As the samango monkey is restricted to forest habitat and is a seed dispersing species, it is listed as Vulnerable in the Red Data Book of the Mammals of South Africa (2004) with samango subspecies – C. m. labiatus – occurring on the IUCN (2007) Endangered list making research into populations necessary to identify if management and further protection is needed.
You are welcome to watch her online video: Co-existing Peacefully With Baboons/Monkeys and read her Blogspot on the Samango Monkey Project. If you want to support Karin in her work financially or practically, please contact us and we will happily pass your details on.
Assessment
Assessment is based on a combination of completing all assignments and sitting for a final short one and a half hour exam, in your own location.
If you don’t cope well with exams then you may elect to undertake a project instead. This is a popular option.
In addition, most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson placed before the assignment. This is an opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge and skills and practical experience. This ADL feature is an added bonus not found at most online schools. Set Tasks are not required for assessment.
Some courses also have optional Self-Tests which are available on our online learning platform. These are not available by correspondence or by USB, and do not form part of your overall grade.
How our courses work
- Choose Your Learning Method
You choose how you would like to receive your course material, i.e., Online, USB or Correspondence. The choice is yours. You may also work on online or offline. - Tutor Allocation
Every student is assigned their own dedicated tutor who is an expert in their subject area. They provide as much or as little individual contact as you require. You can contact your tutor whenever you need – your hours are not limited. - Feedback and Assignments
Tutor Feedback is an essential component in helping you understand the subject matter. Tutor feedback is given in the form of notes written on the assignment. We encourage you to contact your Tutor where help with clarification and understanding of course material may be required.
Your assignments are located at the end of each lesson. You submit them for marking whenever you are ready. There is no time limit. - Set Tasks and Self-Tests
Most modules have a Set Task at the end of each lesson before for the assignment. This is where you get the opportunity to undertake practical work to help you acquire knowledge, skills and practical experience. Many modules also have short Self-Tests. - Exams
Once all assignments have been completed you may then elect to sit for a one and half hour exam in your own location. If you prefer not to take the exam you do have the option to undertake a project instead.
Once the exam or project part of the course is completed, your Certificate is then processed. Please allow approximately 4 weeks for this. - Design Your Own Qualification
ADL offers students the flexibility to self-design their own qualification – bundling together a combination of 100-hour modules into a qualification higher than a certificate.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.
General
Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.
Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.
Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.
Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.
Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.
Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.
Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.
Enrolment
Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.
Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.
Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.
Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.
Assessment
Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.
Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.
Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –
Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.
Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.
Qualifications
Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.
Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.
Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.
Tutors
Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.
Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.
Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.
Career Options
What's Included
What your tuition fees include
- All Course Material via Online, USB or Correspondence
- Assignments Marked
- Professional Tutor Feedback
- Set Tasks - Practical Exercises to help you develop skills
- Self-Tests – multiple choice questions at the end of lessons in most modules
- Unlimited Personal Tutor Support – via our student classroom
- Committed and Friendly Admin Support – vital to your success
- All ADL Exam or Project fees (exception RHS exams)
- Qualification Certificate
- Official Transcript with assignment grades
- Student Manual
Plus FREE
- Academic Writing course (optional - 10 hours only)
- Critical Thinking course (optional - 10 hours only)
- Job Seekers Careers Guide
- Study Tips on How To Study Better
- Career Counselling by ADL Staff
- CV Writing Help, Tips and Advice
There are no hidden extras
Career Opportunities
FAQ - RHS Theory Qualifications
GENERAL
If you require further details about any of the RHS industry recognised qualifications please, call one of our friendly RHS Course Advisors on +44 (0)1227 789 649 or email: [email protected]
Q: When can I Enrol/Start My RHS Course With ADL?
A: Anytime, Anywhere. There are no enrolment deadlines.
Q: I live Overseas. Can I Study From Overseas?
A: You can study any of the RHS theory qualifications overseas. All courses are offered in English. You will need to email RHS Qualifications direct to arrange sitting for your examination overseas.
Q: Is There a Time Limit for Completing an RHS Qualification?
A: At present there are no time limits. However, RHS is contemplating in the future, the introduction of course time-lines.
Q: Are There Any Entry Requirements (Pre-Requisites)?
A: The RHS Theory courses do not require prerequisites, previous experience or any knowledge of horticulture. You just need passion for all things horticulture.
Q: What Course Should I Start With First? I Am New To RHS Qualifications.
A: We highly recommend that you start with Level 2 – Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance.
Q: What Does ADL Course Material Include?
A: Includes Power Point Presentations, Videos and written course lessons.
RHS EXAMS
Q: When Do Exams Take Place?
A: Exams are held on fixed dates in February and June of each year. You should register as a candidate at least 3 months before these dates, so please do not leave exam registration to the last minute
Q: Where Do I Take My Exams?
A: UK: You take the exams at the RHS Wisley Centre, located between Cobham and Ripley in Surrey or at other authorised RHS centres around the UK.
Overseas: please email RHS qualifications direct for centre information.
Q: Exam Pass Marks?
A: Module – pass 50%. Commendation 70%.
Qualification: 50% pass for all modules.
Commendation awarded for all modules.
Each question carries a value of 10 marks.
Q: I’m Not Happy With My Exam Results?
A: You have the opportunity to re-sit your exam at the next opportunity.
There are no restrictions on the number of re-sits you can take. The highest mark you achieve will remain.,