Fundamental knowledge of origin and evolution of vertebrates, examples of ecological specialisations within the vertebrates.

Overview of historical and ecological factors which help to explain current patterns in the geographic distribution of animals; principles and examples.

Identification and description of the relationship between habitat (abiotic factors) and different biocoenoses.

Overview of historical and ecological factors which help to explain current patterns in the geographic distribution of plants and animals; principles and examples.

Animal diversity: Understanding the most important animal groups in their ecological and phylogenetic context; the correlation between animal form and function.

Plant diversity: Mosses, ferns, gymnospers, and overview of angiosperms with selected families; introduction to morphology, systematics, and ecological significance of these groups.Animal diversity: Understanding the most important animal groups in their ecological and phylogenetic context; the correlation between animal form and function.

Overview over tasks, concepts and methods of biological systematics (taxonomy, nomenclature, phylogeny and classification)., with special emphasis on modern methods of inferring phylogenetic relationships.Discussion on phylogenetic approaches to better understand origin, evolution and ecological specialisations of selected groups.

Discussion on phylogenetic approaches to better understand origin, evolution and ecological specialisations of selected groups.

The systematic classification of animals and the characteristics of the most important animal groups, basic animal body plans.

Examples of selected animal groups and their characteristics; knowledge of basic methods: simple preparations, dissection, microscopy.