The program offers the professional highly qualified training in the Program’s two main lines of research (1. Phylogeny and Evolution; and 2. Taxonomy and Animal Biodiversity). The teaching and learning processes implemented in these courses include: the realization of practical classes in most courses (in laboratory and in the field); elaboration of courses’ term papers besides the constant writing of scientific articles and works to be presented in scientific events; presentation of lectures and seminars; bibliographic survey; collection, preparation and preservation of specimens; activities that simulate technical reports with direct application in environmental consultancies such as EIA/RIMAs. In addition to serving our students, many of our courses have attracted graduate students from other programs and the demand is gradually increasing.
Our courses are divided into four basic types:
1. Theoretical – Courses that present and work the fundamental concepts and theoretical approaches related to each of the Program’s two lines of research. In the first of these lines (Phylogeny and Evolution), the theoretical courses are: “MZP5002 – Systematic Phylogenetics”, “MZP5007 – History of Evolutionary Thinking in the 19th Century”, “MZP5005 – Historical Biogeography”, “MZP5032 – New Perspectives in Molecular Systematics”, and “MZP5008 – The Role of Natural History Museums in the 21st Century”. In the second line of research (Taxonomy and Animal Biodiversity), the theoretical courses are: “MZP5003 – Biogeographic Standards of Terrestrial Biota and its History”, “MZP5034 – Principles of Taxonomy and Zoological Nomenclature”, and “MZP5013 – Evolutionary History of Insects”.
2. Methodological or instrumental – Courses focused on methodological approaches, techniques, and analyses used to advance knowledge in the program’s three lines of research. In the first of these lines (Phylogeny and Evolution), the methodological courses are: “MZP5028 – Phylogenetic Analysis of Phenotypic Characters: Theory and Practice”, “MZP5033 – Fundamentals of Molecular Systematics”, and “MZP5029 – Collections Curatorship in Natural History Museums”. In the second line of research of the program (Taxonomy and Animal Biodiversity), the methodological courses are: “MZP5030 – Zoological Publications: Fundamentals and Practical Basis”, “MZP5029 – Collection Curatorship in Natural History Museums”, “MZP5027 – Systematics and Evolution of Tetrapods (Module 2): Diversity and Field Practice”, “IMU5006 – Natural History Museums: Origins, History, and Functions”, and “MZP5036 – Evolution of the Musculoskeletal System in Actinopterygii”.
3. Deepening knowledge in specific zoological groups – They offer in-depth knowledge about various aspects of different taxonomic groups, embodied in the scientific collection of the Museu de Zoologia of USP. These courses include practical classes in the field or in the laboratory, and are: “MZP5026 – Bone Fish Comparative Myology”, “MZP5031 – Evolution and Diversity of Marine Actinopterygii”, “MZP5010 – Origin and Evolution of Arthropoda”, “MZP5017 – Dipterology”, “MZP5009 – Origin and Evolution of Social Behavior in Insects”, “MZP5012 – Immature Insects: Metamorphosis and Identification”, “MZP5014 – Systematics and Biodiversity of Insects I”, “MZP5015 – Systematics and Biodiversity of Insects II”, “MZP5016 – Systematics and Biology of Isoptera (Insecta)”, “MZP5019 – Systematics and Biogeography of Decapoda Crustaceans”, “MZP5021 – Systematics of Neotropical Freshwater Fish”, “MZP5023 – Paleontology of Vertebrates”, “MZP5020 – Brazilian Marine Fish: Taxonomy, Geographical Distribution and Environmental Distribution”, “MZP5024 – Ornithology: Anatomy, Evolution and Conservation of Birds”, “MZP5018 – Diversity and Evolution of Mollusca”, “MZP5025 – Systematics, Taxonomy and Diversity of Lepidoptera”, “MZP5022 – Taxonomy and Evolution of Mammals of South America”, “MZP5035 – Biogeography of Freshwater Fish”, and “MZP5037 – Systematics and Evolution of Porifers”.
4. Special Topics – The course “MZP5004 – Special Topics in Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity” corresponds to a cycle of seminars or lectures that present and promote the debate on current topics in Zoology.
To consult the courses offered in the semester, click here.
To see the complete and updated courses catalog offered at STBio, click here
