Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor Darrell Kemp darrell.kemp@mq.edu.au Consultation via appointment Practical coordinator Ryan Nevatte ryan.nevatte@mq.edu.au Ryan Nevatte ryan.nevatte@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 10
Prerequisites	Prerequisites
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status BIOX1310
Unit description	Unit description This unit introduces students to the essential concepts in current biology. BIOL1310 forms the first step for students pursuing a career in the biological sciences, and provides a basis for students in other disciplines who wish to maintain an interest in this dynamic field. The theme of this unit is evolution. The first part of the unit is concerned with the origin of life and discusses current theories on how life may have arisen on a previously lifeless planet. We discuss evolutionary theory in detail including some of the genetic principles that underlie evolution. In the second part we introduce the major groups of organisms examining their diversity and how they function. In the final part we discuss the ecological interactions between organisms from the small scale to global patterns. Throughout the unit, these core concepts are illustrated with examples from current research. BIOL1310 is designed as a companion unit to BIOL1110 in Session 2.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

ULO1: Define evolution and describe its main mechanisms
ULO2: Define the the major evolutionary transitions of organisms on earth
ULO3: Differentiate the main groups of organisms and interpret their evolutionary relationships
ULO4: Contrast major ecological processes and describe biogeographical patterns
ULO5: Synthesise experimental results and information from the scientific literature to prepare a scientific report
ULO6: Demonstrate foundational learning skills including active engagement in the learning process

General Assessment Information

1. Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit you must:

(a) Participate in, and undertake all hurdle activities for, a minimum equivalent to 7 of the 10 weekly practical classes, and

(b) Achieve an overall assessment mark equal to or greater than 50%

Hurdle assessment - participation in unit practicals

The development of knowledge and skills requires continual practice at authentic problems in a laboratory-based setting. This unit has weekly laboratory classes and you must demonstrate your progress in developing and communicating knowledge and skills in a minimum equivalent to 7 of the 10 scheduled classes. This is a hurdle assessment, meaning that failure to meet this requirement may result in a fail grade for the unit. Students are permitted up to three absences: additional absences will require you to apply for Special Consideration (see further below).

2. Late Assessment Submission Penalty Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern. For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special consideration.

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted: Assessment 1 (Research report) – standard late penalty applies.

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment.

Practical-based tasks: To pass the unit you need to demonstrate ongoing development of skills and application of knowledge in the equivalent of 7 out of 10 weekly practical classes. For infrequent students this typically means participation in all three days of scheduled on-campus practicals. If you will miss any of these sessions due to a serious, unavoidable and significant disruption, contact the unit’s tutorial convenor ASAP (via email: biol1310@mq.edu.au) as you may be able to attend one or more of the weekly classes.

Note that it is not neccessary for you to apply for special consideration for missing part of the on-campus practical schedule unless you have (or will) miss the equivalent of 3 or more weekly classes (i.e., roughly one day of the on-campus session).

4. Assessment activities and other information

Infrequent attendence students should complete pre-practical quizzes each week and according to schedule of practicals as conducted for regular weekday students. This will be clearly communicated via the unit's iLearn site. Quizzes and the mid-semester test will be administered online via this site, and you will submit your assignment via a link provided on the site.

Assessment outcomes and feedback will be provided via the iLearn "gradebook" function.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Research Report	30%	No	24 May 2024
Weekly practical class	5%	Yes	OCS: 23 Mar & 23-24 Apr
Mid-semester test	15%	No	9 Apr 2024
Final Exam	40%	No	TBA
Pre-practical Quizzes	10%	No	Weekly (in practical weeks)

Research Report

Assessment Type ¹: Report
Indicative Time on Task ²: 20 hours
Due: 24 May 2024
Weighting: 30%

In this assignment you will write a short research report on an experiment we have conducted in the practicals. The report will be in the style of a scientific paper, but somewhat shorter. It will contain a title, introduction, methods, results (with figures and/or tables), discussion and reference list. Prior to this, a practical will be dedicated to explaining all elements of the research report, and the marking rubric. Note that while you will work in a group to conduct the practical, all written work is expected to be your own.