To pass (P) this unit, students must achieve a standardized numerical grade (SNG) of at least 50, and make a genuine effort at completing all assessment tasks. The final decision regarding what constitutes a ‘genuine effort’ will be taken by the unit convener. Concessional passes (formerly known as PC grades) were phased out as of 2011. You also MUST ATTEND PRACS. If you miss more than one prac you will not be able to complete the unit. We take attendance at pracs.

 Unit schedule

Online unit delivery

 Lecture graphics and iLectures will be available on iLearn (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au). iLearn™ is a web-based communication package and can be accessed by most web browsers from inside or outside the University. iLearn and email are the primary methods of communication in this subject. Use iLearn for:

• Regularly checking subject announcements and communications;
• Downloading lecture, laboratory and reference materials;
• Uploading Assignments to TURNITIN via iLearn links;
• Checking your grades.

 How do I log in? The URL for the login page is: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/.

You must log in to iLearn each time you use it. Your user name is your student number, and your password is your myMQ student portal password, provided upon enrolment (unless you’ve changed it). If you are having trouble accessing your online unit due to a disability or health condition, please go to the Student Enquiry Services website at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/ for information on how to get assistance.

If you are having problems logging on, that is, if you cannot log in after ensuring you have entered your username and password correctly, you can also contact Student IT Help, Phone: (02) 9850 4357 (in Sydney) or 1 800 674 357 (outside Sydney).

Provisional lecture outline

This schedule may change slightly throughout the semester. Monday and Thursday lectures are in E7B-T2 (internals) and online.

Practical sessions

External students (All held in E8A-120/150/160, ground floor, Biology building E8A)

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

Required unit materials

The recommended textbook for this unit is:

Hickman CP, Roberts LS, Keen SL, Larson A, I’Anson H & Eisenhour DJ - Integrated Principles of Zoology. 17^th Edition. McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 9780073524214.

Copies of this text are available in the University bookstore.

The work carried out during practical classes is an integral part of the course. You will be required to maintain a comprehensive lab notebook which documents all of the work and discussion during the practical sessions. Thus, all notes, records, illustrations and results should be entered into your practical book during class. We suggest a blank (unlined notebook) because you will mostly use it for drawings. Alternatively, you can use a book that alternates between blank and lined pages. Your work in this lab book is checked before you leave the prac and this is when your attendance is recorded.

You will need a lab coat and enclosed shoes for every practical class in accordance with standard laboratory safety procedures. Without either of these you will not be allowed entry to the laboratory. You will also need to bring a dissection kit to every practical class which includes:

·   a pair of fine pointed scissors

·   a large pair of fine pointed forceps

·   one pair of fine (watchmaker's) forceps

The U@MQ Shop sells dissecting kits for around $25 (if you are going to buy one, make sure it includes fine pointed scissors forceps). It’s a good idea to own your own dissection kit because you can use them for other courses and during your own pursuits as a biologist. Also, because the refurbished biology teaching labs have full digital capture capabilities for the two microscopes at each workstation, you will be able to save images and screenshots of your work. Please remember to bring a USB flash drive as you won’t be able to keep images on the workstation computer’s hard drive.

Recommended readings

The following texts are also available in the library:

·    Biology of Animals by Hickman et al. (McGraw-Hill)

·    Biology of the Invertebrates by Pechenik (McGraw-Hill)

·    An Introduction to the Invertebrates by Moore (Cambridge)

·    Invertebrate Zoology by Barnes (Saunders College Publishing)

·    Vertebrate Life by Pough et al. (Prentice Hall)

·    Animal Physiology by Eckert (Freeman)

Please refer to iLearn for full Lecture and Practical schedule.