Students

BIOL260 – Science of Sex

2016 – S3 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Kate Barry
Contact via kate.barry@mq.edu.au
E8B111
Tutor
Ingrid Errington
Tutor
Damaris Torres Pulliza
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
12cp or admission to GCertBiotech
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
BIOL607
Unit description Unit description
Topics related to sex pervade our culture, media, politics, relationships and everyday life. Despite this, many of us have never had the opportunity to learn why sex evolved. What are the real differences between males and females? What is the chemistry that makes partners attractive? Why are the sexual strategies and behaviours of different species so diverse? What hormones control our maturation, reproductive cycles and pregnancy? This unit takes a broad approach, using examples (some quite bizarre) from the animal and plant worlds. At the same time, we cover in depth the sexual biology and behaviour of our own intriguing species.

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:

  • Understand and use correct biological terminology
  • Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction, and have an understanding of why sexual reproduction has evolved
  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Outline and understand evolutionary processes, especially in relation to sexual selection (rather than natural selection)
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature
  • Work in pairs to create a poster that succinctly summarises information on a sexual selection topic

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Quiz 1 0% Dec 23
Textbook readings/questions 20% Dec 23 & Jan 27
Poster assessment 25% Jan 13
Peer review 5% Jan 20
Quizzes 50% Feb 3

Quiz 1

Due: Dec 23
Weighting: 0%

Compiled of 10 questions and completed in iLearn. A variety of question types are included, for example multiple choice, true/false, short answer matching. The quiz will test your general science skills knowledge eg. referencing, plagiarism, basic science communication, library searches. You have unlimited attempts at this quiz.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand and use correct biological terminology
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature

Textbook readings/questions

Due: Dec 23 & Jan 27
Weighting: 20%

You will be required to read the relevant section/s of the textbook for each topic (10 in total), complete a series of questions and submit them online for marking. Each submission is worth 2%, up to a maximum of 20%.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand and use correct biological terminology
  • Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction, and have an understanding of why sexual reproduction has evolved
  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Outline and understand evolutionary processes, especially in relation to sexual selection (rather than natural selection)
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature

Poster assessment

Due: Jan 13
Weighting: 25%

Based on a real data set, the idea is to take on the role of the researcher and present the research findings as if they are your own. There are two study species to choose from, and the assessment is done in pairs.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand and use correct biological terminology
  • Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction, and have an understanding of why sexual reproduction has evolved
  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Outline and understand evolutionary processes, especially in relation to sexual selection (rather than natural selection)
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature
  • Work in pairs to create a poster that succinctly summarises information on a sexual selection topic

Peer review

Due: Jan 20
Weighting: 5%

You will be required to assess five other students' posters, and your ability to review will be graded.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand and use correct biological terminology
  • Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction, and have an understanding of why sexual reproduction has evolved
  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Outline and understand evolutionary processes, especially in relation to sexual selection (rather than natural selection)
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature
  • Work in pairs to create a poster that succinctly summarises information on a sexual selection topic

Quizzes

Due: Feb 3
Weighting: 50%

Ten 25-min quizzes compiled of 26 marks each and completed in iLearn. Will test your knowledge of associated lecture content.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand and use correct biological terminology
  • Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction, and have an understanding of why sexual reproduction has evolved
  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Outline and understand evolutionary processes, especially in relation to sexual selection (rather than natural selection)

Delivery and Resources

CLASSES

Timetable

Lectures:                   Available online at Echo in iLearn

OnCampus Sessions:     

OCS1                        Friday Dec 16, 9am-1pm                    

OCS2                        Friday Jan 20, 9am-11am                     

 

 

Required unit materials

Textbook

Barry, K.L. & Holwell, G.I. 2012. The science of sex (third edition). McGraw-Hill Publishers, Sydney.

This textbook was designed specifically for BIOL260, and you can purchase a hardcopy of the 2nd/3rd edition from a previous student or the Coop Bookshop ($70 used), or an ebook of the 4th edition from the publisher ($60) http://www.mheducation.com.au/the-science-of-sex. Much of the lecture material corresponds with chapters in the text, and the associated readings and questions are taken directly from this book. There are also many copies held in the reserve section of the library. The second, third and fourth editions are suitable for this unit, but the first edition is not.

Software

The poster file must be created in PowerPoint, Keynote or Open Office only, so please make sure you own or have access to one of these software programs. You are also expected to create graphs for your poster presentation, so you should own or have access to Excel or another similar program.

 

UNIT WEBPAGE AND TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Website

iLearn™ is a web-based computer mediated communication package and can be accessed by most web browsers from inside or outside the University. iLearn and student email will be the principle methods of communication in this unit, so you should be checking each of them regularly (every 2 days at absolute minimum, every day is preferable). If you have a personal email account that you check more often, please forward your student email to that account.

You are expected to use iLearn for:

·               Regularly checking subject announcements;

·               Discussing lectures and readings with lecturers/tutors and other students;

·               Downloading lecture materials;

·               Downloading reference materials;

·               Completing/submitting assessment tasks (the online quizzes require a stable/fast internet connection)

·               Receiving feedback for assessment tasks;

·               Checking your grades.

How do you log in?

Use your Macquarie OneID to login. If you are having problems logging in after ensuring you have entered your username and password correctly, you should contact Student IT Help, Email: help@mq.edu.au, Phone: (02) 9850 4357 (in Sydney) or 1 800 67 4357 (toll-free outside Sydney).

Unit Schedule

Lecture

Lecturer

Specific topic

1

Kate B

Unit outline

2

Kate B

Assessment

3

Kate B

Evolution

4

Mike G

Why have sex?

5

Mike G

Sex determination

6

Mike G

Gonad development

7

Mike G

Development of human genitalia

8

Mike G

Hormones, cycles, puberty, pregnancy

9

Mike G

Gametes, fertilisation, contraception

10

Mike G

Love, neurobiology and orgasm

11

Mike G

Sexually transmitted infections

12

Mike G

Human mate choice

13

Kate B

Animal reproduction

14

Kate B

Animal mating systems

15

Kate B

Sexual selection & sex roles

16

Kate B

Mate competition

17

Kate B

Mate choice

18

Malin A

Current views on sex roles

19

Kate B

Sexual signals I

20

Kate B

Sexual signals II

21

Kate B

Sexual signals III

22

Kate B

Multiple mating & Genitalia

23

Kate B

Sperm competition

24

Kate B

Cryptic choice

25

Kate B

Sexual conflict & SAC

26

Kate B

Sexual cannibalism

27

 

NO LECTURE

28

Andy B

Sexual diversity I

29

Andy B

Sexual diversity II

30

Andy B

Sexual diversity III

31

Brian A

Plant reproduction I

32

Brian A

Plant reproduction II

33

Julia C

Sexual deception in orchards

34-37

Guests

TBA

 

OCS SCHEDULE 

OCS1 - Poster assessment details 

OCS2 - Poster session

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Extensions and penalties

10% of the mark allocated for each assignment will be deducted per day that any work is submitted late. Only a medical certificate or a letter with appropriate supporting documents outlining other serious, extenuating circumstances can be used to submit an assignment after the due date without penalty. All applications for special consideration or extension must be sought before the due date unless this is absolutely impossible (in which case you have 3 days from the due date). All applications for extensions of deadlines must be submitted to ask.mq.edu.au and an email advising the unit convenor of the submission is also requested.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one's own. Copying out part of any document, audio-visual material or computer-based material, is only acceptable if you use quotation marks, and you must still acknowledge the source of the information (you should always try and restate the information in your own words though, because you will be marked down for use of quotations).

Any of the following acts constitutes plagiarism unless the source of each quotation or piece of borrowed material is clearly acknowledged:

·               using or extracting another person's concepts, experimental results, or conclusions

·               summarising another person's work

·           submitting substantially the same final version of any material as another student in an assignment where there was collaborative preparatory work

·               submitting the same or substantially the same piece of work for two different tasks (self-plagiarism)

A full outline of the University Policy on plagiarism can be found on the official website at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html. The website includes a general discussion of plagiarism, definitions, examples drawn from concrete cases, procedures that will be followed by the University in cases of plagiarism, and recommended penalties. Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the website.

 

Depending on the level of plagiarism, penalties range from a loss of marks to awarding of a zero for the assessment. A note will be added to the student’s university file, and particularly extreme cases will be reported to a Faculty disciplinary committee.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Work in pairs to create a poster that succinctly summarises information on a sexual selection topic

Assessment tasks

  • Textbook readings/questions
  • Poster assessment
  • Peer review
  • Quizzes

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature

Assessment tasks

  • Textbook readings/questions
  • Poster assessment
  • Peer review

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Outline and understand evolutionary processes, especially in relation to sexual selection (rather than natural selection)
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature
  • Work in pairs to create a poster that succinctly summarises information on a sexual selection topic

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Textbook readings/questions
  • Poster assessment
  • Peer review
  • Quizzes

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand and use correct biological terminology
  • Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction, and have an understanding of why sexual reproduction has evolved
  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Outline and understand evolutionary processes, especially in relation to sexual selection (rather than natural selection)
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature
  • Work in pairs to create a poster that succinctly summarises information on a sexual selection topic

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Textbook readings/questions
  • Poster assessment
  • Peer review
  • Quizzes

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction, and have an understanding of why sexual reproduction has evolved
  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Outline and understand evolutionary processes, especially in relation to sexual selection (rather than natural selection)
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature
  • Work in pairs to create a poster that succinctly summarises information on a sexual selection topic

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Textbook readings/questions
  • Poster assessment
  • Peer review
  • Quizzes

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction, and have an understanding of why sexual reproduction has evolved
  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature
  • Work in pairs to create a poster that succinctly summarises information on a sexual selection topic

Assessment tasks

  • Textbook readings/questions
  • Poster assessment
  • Peer review
  • Quizzes

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand and use correct biological terminology
  • Explain the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction, and have an understanding of why sexual reproduction has evolved
  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Outline and understand evolutionary processes, especially in relation to sexual selection (rather than natural selection)
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature
  • Work in pairs to create a poster that succinctly summarises information on a sexual selection topic

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Textbook readings/questions
  • Poster assessment
  • Peer review
  • Quizzes

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Outline and understand evolutionary processes, especially in relation to sexual selection (rather than natural selection)
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature

Assessment tasks

  • Textbook readings/questions
  • Poster assessment
  • Peer review
  • Quizzes

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the various animal (and plant) mating systems and the strategies used by males and females from each
  • Recall specific examples of species from each of the mating systems presented during lectures
  • Read and understand scientific papers in the sexual selection literature

Assessment tasks

  • Textbook readings/questions
  • Poster assessment
  • Peer review
  • Quizzes

Changes since First Published

Date Description
21/11/2016 Textbook link was incorrect in last draft