Zoology & Ecology

semester 1

Have you always wondered about animals and their origins on earth? Then you should choose Zoology and Ecology! You'll learn about all the weird and wonderful animals on this planet, such as how they are related to each other, how they have evolved and some cool adaptations they have that help them survive and thrive in their environment. Led by Meg in 2023, animal lovers will thrive while learning about the interactions within ecosystems such as abiotic factors and symbiotic relationships and how we can help protect ecosystems against natural and human-induced threats. 

With a range of diverse organisms found in the TC, Working with Animals program and our local Ruffey Creek, students will learn skills such as chemical water analysis, live collection and auditing of macroinvertebrates, sampling techniques using quadrats, viewing structures of organisms using microscopes and dissections, and scientific illustration techniques.

Key concepts will include:

• Origins of life on Earth and evolution

• Taxonomy (classification of animals)

• The ecological niche concept and animal adaptations

• Animal behaviour

• Patterns of animal distribution (zoogeography) and population

• Symbiosis

• Reproduction

• Community ecology

• Threats to biodiversity and extinction

• Conservation

To further develop their knowledge, students will also have the opportunity to go on an excursion to exciting places such as the La Trobe University Zoology Department, Philip Island Nature Park, Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre and local zoos!

Student Testimonials

"What I enjoyed most were the incursions and excursions. We also went to LaTrobe university to learn about bones. I learned a lot about animal behaviour and biology as well as how to tell if an environment is inhabitable or uninhabitable". 

Koby

"I really liked the hands-on activities, like the bee hotel and the dissections. We learned about mutual, commensalism and parasitic relationships, focusing on specific species like certain keystone species. We had an incursion on how humans bred certain dogs to carry out certain actions, like how a Golden Retriever has a weaker bite".

Zac