Invertebrate zoology is an examination of animal organisms without a backbone. This group of organisms, invertebrates, makes up 96% of all described species on Earth. Thus, they are an important group to study the evolution and diversity of life. The focus of the course is on morphological and functional differences among the major groups of invertebrates and current research on evolutionary relationship hypotheses. We’ll concentrate on the organization of invertebrates to illustrate: 1) evolutionary relationships within and among taxa; 2) morphology, reproduction, development, and physiology of major phyla; and 3) adaptations that permit species to inhabit particular environments.