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Systematics and Phylogeny
GZ Biosystematik
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 14:59:33
Abstract
The lecture gives an overview over tasks, concepts and methods of the four fields of biological systematics (taxonomy, nomenclature, phylogeny and classification). Emphasis is put on modern methods of inferring phylogenetic relationships and on the high significance of biological collections for research in systematics.
Objective
(i) Basic knowledge on tasks, concepts and methods of biological systematics. (ii) Theoretical as well as practical knowledge on modern methods of inferring phylogenetic relationships based on molecular and morphological characters. (iii) Insights into the high significance of collections for research in systematic biology. (iv) Knowledge of the most important rules of nomenclature and classification.
Content
Definition of biological systematics and the tasks of its four fields taxonomy, nomenclature, phylogeny and classification. Methods of inferring phylogenies with a practical course on the collection and analysis of morphological and molecular characters. Use of biological collections in systematics and guided tour through the herbaria and the entomological collection of the ETH. Rules of nomenclature and classification.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Handouts on the powerpoint presentations and detailed instructions for the practical parts are handed out at the start of each lecture.
Literature
No further literature needed. For those students who are especially interested in the topic references are given in the handouts.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 20 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | GZ Biosystematik |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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5. oder 7. Semester, Testatpflicht für U, G, P (Prüfungsfächer im Schlussdiplom: Bezeichnung, zugehörende Lehrveranstaltungen und Prüfungs- umfang siehe Wegleitung.Obligatorische Prüfungsfächer: Die zugehörenden Lehrveranstaltungen sind bei den zutreffenden Fachrichtungen aufgeführt (siehe Wegleitung).Wahlfächer: Wahlfachempfehlungen siehe Wegleitung bzw. Beratervorschläge; Lehrveranstaltungen zu den Prüfungsfächern für alle Fachrichtungen im Wintersemester siehe Abschnitt IV.)
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IV. Lehrveranstaltungen zu den Prüfungsfächern im Schlussdiplom für alle Fachrichtungen (Prüfungsfächer und zugehörende Lehrveranstaltungen siehe Wegleitung.)
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