Animal Diversity - Vertebrates
Vertebrates – fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals make up over 60 000 living species distributed globally. This is a course for all biologists. With the evolutionary tree as a backbone, you will examine the evolution and characteristics of vertebrates from fishlike animals 300 million years ago to the present diversity.
This is an advanced full-time course dedicated to the diversity and evolution of vertebrates, a.k.a craniates. It can be taken as a standalone course or as a component of the NABIS Master programme. The course language is English. The course covers all aspects of vertebrate phylogeny and evolution, starting with early chordates, and proceeding with information from both fossils and extant taxa, emphasizing character evolution along the phylogenetic tree, exploring the diversification expressed in all the other fish, the reptiles and amphibians, the birds and the mammals, and everything in between. In the end you will be confident to navigate up and down the phylogenetic tree and recognize vertebrate taxa.
Information for admitted students spring 2025
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
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Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
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Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
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Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from the department - courses
Welcome to spring term 2025 at BIG! Open here, read and let us know if you have any questions.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are registered on the correct course. If you do not register then your place can go to a reserve. However, it is important that you only register on courses that you do intend to take, or you are taking a place from another student.
Registration period for spring 2025
Note! In order for us to efficiently be able to help all students, before registering make sure to carefully read our information to admitted students.
- Registration for all courses opens 7th January and closes Sunday just over a week before the course starts.
- Traineeships, research traineeships and degree projects are open for registration throughout the semester (see more information in the link above).
If you have trouble registering, please contact our student office latest on the last registration day. Otherwise you will loose your place on the course.
Reserve place
If you have been given a reserve place you may be admitted if someone declines their place. In which case you must confirm that you want the place by attending the reserve roll call for each course. The exception is traineeships, research traineeships and degre projects where an apporved work plan is required to be admitted, for more information see the link below.
More information about your studies with us
On our website you will find more information about your studies with us.
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
Read more
For new international students
This is an advanced full-time course dedicated to the diversity and evolution of vertebrates, a.k.a craniates. It can be taken as a standalone course or as a component of the NABIS Master programme. The course language is English. The course covers all aspects of vertebrate phylogeny and evolution, starting with early chordates, and proceeding with information from both fossils and extant taxa, emphasizing character evolution along the phylogenetic tree, exploring the diversification expressed in all the other fish, the reptiles and amphibians, the birds and the mammals, and everything in between. In the end you will be confident to navigate up and down the phylogenetic tree and recognize vertebrate taxa.
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Course structure
Teaching format
Animal Diversity — Vertebrates is an on-line only course based on the Athena platform. E-techs are distributed as texts and PowerPoints covering specific moments. Teachers are present during regular sessions and presentations by ZOOM or chats in Athena. Students are assigned two compulsory home assignments during the course. Attendance to teacher presentations is compulsory.
Assessment
Examination for the course takes place through a written examination at the end of the course.
Examiner
Daniela C. Kalthoff
E-mail: Daniela.Kalthoff@nrm.se
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
No mandatory course book.
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Course reports
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Contact
Student office- Visiting address
Arrheniuslaboratory, room E315
Svante Arrhenius väg 20C
- Office hours
Mon-Thur: 13.00-15.00
- Irregular office hours
Closed Thursday November 21!
Study counsellor for advanced level
- Visiting address
Arrheniuslaboratoriet, room E315
Svante Arrhenius väg 20 C
- Office hours
By request
