The methodology used to achieve the learning process is based on the combination of lectures, seminars, personal study, and individual and group work.

Theory

With these classes the students acquire the basic theoretical knowledge of the subject, which must be complemented with the personal study of the topics explained by the teacher. These classes highlight and address the essential points of each teaching unit. Subsequently, the student will have to supplement the conceptual map established during the classes with the information from different sources that will be provided to them. Classes last 50 minutes and in them audiovisual material prepared by the teacher will be used.

Seminars

The aim of the seminars is to promote the capacity for analysis and synthesis, critical reasoning, and the capacity to solve problems. The seminars are designed for students to work in small groups, so that they mainly acquire the skills associated with this type of activity. During the seminars, topics related to the theoretical program will be actively worked and some of the following activities may be carried out: oral and/or written presentation of a topic, resolution of questions and problems, analysis and discussion of articles, cases or problems.

Practices

The objective of the practical classes is to complete and reinforce the zoological knowledge acquired in the theoretical classes and seminars. In the practical sessions, specific skills will be stimulated and developed, such as the ability to observe, analyze and interpret anatomical structures, detect adaptive or phylogenetically important characters, and taxonomic identification of specimens. For its correct execution, students will be provided withlearning materials for each of the established sessions. During the laboratory practice sessions, students will work on zoological material and complement their knowledge with the study and questions posed by the teacher. Field practices will allow students to acquire techniques of observation and identification of terrestrial vertebrate species in the natural environment, learn the environments that these species occupy, and know how to interpret the morphology of these species in an ecological and adaptive context. To achieve these objectives, non-invasive sampling techniques will be used (such as direct observation with binoculars and terrestrial telescopes, phototrapping and the study of acoustic signals and tracks) and live capture techniques (such as Sherman traps), attempting thus minimizing the impact on fauna while raising awareness among students about the need for conservation and consideration of the ethical aspects of research with animals. In some of the taxonomic groups, such as amphibians or micromammals, standardized sampling protocols will be used to monitor common species that are currently in operation (SACC and SEMICE, respectively). This will allow students to become familiar with these programs and understand the importance of citizen science. In addition, the data obtained will be compiled and entered into a citizen science portal so that they are available to students in subsequent courses, to the scientific community and to the general public.

Tutorships

Tutorships will serve to clarify concepts, to establish acquired knowledge, to facilitate the study to the students and to solve possible eventualities that can arise during the development of the subject. The schedule of individualized tutorships will be specified with the teacher via email or orally.

The evaluation of this subject will be carried out by means of the the following procedures:

Evaluation of the theoretical contents

The theoretical knowledge acquired by the students will be assessed individually. This evaluation will be carried out by means of two midterm exams (each with a weight of 30% of the final mark) that will contain test-type questions and/or short or medium development questions. Students who do not obtain a minimum mark of 4 (out of 10) will have to recover them in a final exam that will contain questions of the same type as those of the midterm exams. Likewise, students who wish to improve the mark of any of these exams will have the opportunity to do it in the final exam, but the previously obtained mark will be lost. The evaluation of the theoretical contents has an overall weight of 60% (corresponding to the sum of the percentages of each midterm exam) of the final mark. In order to be able to average with the other evaluative activities (seminars and practices) the average mark of the two exams must be equal or greater than 4. To participate in the final exam, students must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities, which weight equals a minimum of two thirds of the total mark of the subject. Therefore, the students will obtain the \"Not Evaluable\" qualification when the evaluation of the activities performed have a weight lower than 67% in the final mark.

Evaluation of the seminars

The content and quality of the works presented on the seminar days will be evaluated, as well as the evaluation tests (group and individual) that will be carried out during the course of the seminars. The grade corresponding to seminars has an overall weight of 15% of the final grade.

This activity has no possibility of recovery.

Evaluation of practices

Attendance to laboratory practice sessions and field trips is mandatory. After each practice, students will takean individualtest that assesses the use and achievement of the specific skills of each practcie.

The grade corresponding to the practices has an overall weight of 25% of the final grade.

This activity has no possibility of recovery.

Single assessment

Students opting for the single assessment system must attend the laboratory practical sessions (PLAB) and field practical sessions (PCAM) in person. These activities will account for 25% of the final grade. Whenever required, attendance at seminar sessions (SEM) will also be mandatory, with the same weighting as in continuous assessment (15%).

The single assessment will consist of a comprehensive examination including multiple-choice and essay questions covering all theoretical course contents.

The comprehensive examination will account for 60% of the final grade, while practical sessions will account for 25% and seminars for the remaining 15%.

The single assessment examination will take place on the same date scheduled for the final continuous assessment examination, and the same reassessment system will apply. The review of final grades will follow the same procedure as for continuous assessment.

To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum final grade of 5 out of 10 overall and a minimum grade of 4 out of 10 in the theory component. The same “not assessed” criteria used in continuous assessment will apply.

Final considerations

The minimum overall grade required to pass the course is 5 out of 10. Students who, for justified reasons (illness, death of a family member, accident, etc.), are unable to attend an individual assessment activity and provide the corresponding official supporting documentation will be entitled to complete the assessment on an alternative date.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI): restricted use. In this course, the use of artificial intelligence tools is permitted only as support for tasks such as bibliographic or information searches, language correction, or translations. Students must explicitly indicate which parts of the work have been produced with the support of these tools, specify the technologies used, and include a brief critical reflection on their influence on the preparation process and the final outcome of the activity.

Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total penalty in the grade for the activity, as well as additional sanctions in more serious cases.

Any irregularity in an assessment activity (including academic fraud, plagiarism, or misuse of AI) that may lead to a significant alteration of the assessment outcome will result in the activity being graded with a 0. If such irregularity occurs in an assessment activity for which a minimum grade is required, or if multiple irregularities are detected throughout the course, the final course grade will be 0. Regardless of the grade obtained, the university may initiate the corresponding disciplinary procedures in accordance with academic regulations.