Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor Matthew Bulbert matthew.bulbert@mq.edu.au Contact via matthew.bulbert@mq.edu.au Caitlin Kordis caitlin.kordis@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 3
Prerequisites	Prerequisites
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This unit introduces students to the essential concepts in current biology. The unit 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. This unit is designed as a companion unit to BIOL115.

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:

Define the processes of evolution
Describe the major morphological characteristics of the main groups of organisms and compare and contrast their biology
Develop falsifiable hypotheses and design experiments to test them
Test a hypothesis by collecting and analysing appropriate data
Effectively communicate biology using written and oral media
Locate and critically assess scientific literature
Use digital microscopy technology to successfully visualise specimen

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Weekly Activities	5%	No	Weekly
Skills tests	3%	No	Variable
Oral presentation	5%	No	Prac 5
Midsemester test	15%	No	Intrl: Apr11th, Extrl: Apr15th
Scientific journal article	22%	No	Intrl: May 16, Extrl: May 23
Final exam	50%	No	TBA

Weekly Activities

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 5%

The Weekly Activities are accessible through iLearn and are designed to keep you up to date with the unit material and prepare you for assessments and Practicals. Weekly Activities are open for the week they are due as well as for one week prior to the week they are due (two weeks total). You have the option of two attempts and your mark will be the average of both. Due every week!

Note the Weekly activities have two components:

Component 1: Weekly quizzes: Multiple-choice quizzes based on content (2.5% calculated from the number of correct answers)

Component 2: Weekly tasks: Small tasks to help with understanding how science is communicated (2.5% calculated from the number of tasks completed).

On successful completion you will be able to:

Define the processes of evolution
Describe the major morphological characteristics of the main groups of organisms and compare and contrast their biology
Develop falsifiable hypotheses and design experiments to test them
Test a hypothesis by collecting and analysing appropriate data
Effectively communicate biology using written and oral media

Skills tests

Due: Variable
Weighting: 3%

Employers want to know students have a proficiency in a range of practical skills. Every second practical there will be a short skills test. They will range from how to search for scientific articles, how to set-up a microscope, how to apply the scientific method, how to plot data in excel, to how to interpret phylogenies. All skills tests will be based on skills that you have learnt in earlier practical’s. You will have a time limit to complete the task. During that time you can attempt the task as many times as you like until the tutor agrees the task has been completed satisfactorily. The mark will be on a pass/fail basis. For some items if you fail you will be excluded from using the apparatus until you show competency.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Locate and critically assess scientific literature

Oral presentation

Due: Prac 5
Weighting: 5%

Group activities are not students favour activities but they are very important. It is very rare in the workplace that you find yourself working in isolation. Instead you are more likely to be working as a team. As a group of four you will present a scientific journal article from PLoS ONE using powerpoint slides to a small group of students during the Practical. This exercise is designed to help you develop your communication skills and for you to critically assess scientific literature. The presentation will be prescribed as follows: Individual 1 will brief us on the topic area of the research; Individual 2 will give us background to why the experiment is being done and the hypothesis and predictions; Individual 3 will present one of the major results of the paper, in their description they must provide what was done to get the result; and finally individual 4 will present how did their findings compare with the predictions made by the researcher and how this research compared with others. Each individual in the group will talk for 2 minutes. Your tutor will assess you and you will receive written feedback on your presentation style. Internals will give their presentations during Practical5

On successful completion you will be able to:

Effectively communicate biology using written and oral media
Locate and critically assess scientific literature

Midsemester test

Due: Intrl: Apr11th, Extrl: Apr15th
Weighting: 15%

The mid-semester test will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions cover all Lecture material up to and including Lecture 10. The test will be conducted under exam conditions, that is, silently and with no communication between students. No written material, programmable calculators, mobile phones or electronic tablets may be brought into the exam room.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Define the processes of evolution
Describe the major morphological characteristics of the main groups of organisms and compare and contrast their biology

Scientific journal article

Due: Intrl: May 16, Extrl: May 23
Weighting: 22%

This challenging task is designed to develop your scientific writing style, and your numerical and graphing skills. During Practicals 2-4 you will collect data to statistically analyse and graphically present in this article. To write your scientific article you will have to locate, comprehend, discuss and cite scientific literature (and only scientific literature). You also have to submit your Scientific Journal Article to turnitin (instructions below). By the time this article is due you should be familiar with how to write each of the sections of a research paper, be apply to source original peer-reviewed articles and be familiar with adhering to formatting criteria for any given journal. For the purposes of this exercise you will be asked to submit to an in-house journal only available to Biol114 subscribers known as the Journal of Seedy Research.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Develop falsifiable hypotheses and design experiments to test them
Test a hypothesis by collecting and analysing appropriate data
Use digital microscopy technology to successfully visualise specimen

Final exam

Due: TBA
Weighting: 50%

A test on knowledge of lecture and practical material up to and including week 13

On successful completion you will be able to:

Define the processes of evolution
Describe the major morphological characteristics of the main groups of organisms and compare and contrast their biology
Develop falsifiable hypotheses and design experiments to test them
Test a hypothesis by collecting and analysing appropriate data
Locate and critically assess scientific literature

Delivery and Resources

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Website

Lecture graphics and iLectures will be available on iLearn http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

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 email will be the principle method of communication in this subject. We expect you to use iLearn for:

Doing the weekly quizzes;
Regularly checking subject announcements;
Discussing lectures and tutorials with lecturers and other students;
Downloading lecture materials;
Downloading reference materials;

How do you log in? The URL for the iLearn login page is: http:/i/learn.mq.edu.au/. You will need to log in to iLearn each time you use it. Your user name is your student number.

If you are having trouble accessing your online unit due to a disability or health condition, please go to the Student Services Website at http://students.mq.edu.au/campus_life/wellbeing/ for information on how to get assistance.

If you are having problems logging on after ensuring you have entered your username and password correctly, you should contact Student IT Help, http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.

LECTURE AND PRACTICAL TIMES

LECTURES

Lecture 1 Thursday 11 – 12 W2.4A Macquarie Theatre

Lecture 2 Friday 3 – 4 W2.4A Macquarie Theatre

All internal students are expected to attend both the Lectures each week! All externals must listen to both Lectures each week and attend if and when they can!

INTERNAL PRAC SESSIONS

Monday 12 – 3 E8A 120 & E8A 160

Monday 3 – 6 E8A 120 & E8A 160

Tuesday 9 – 12 E8A 120 & E8A 160

Tuesday 2– 5 E8A 120 & E8A 160

Wednesday 9 - 12 E8A 120 & E8A 160

Wednesday 12 –3 E8A 120 & E8A 160

Wednesday 3 - 6 E8A 120 & E8A 160

Internal students must attend ONLY ONE of the above Practical sessions per week. You must attend the practical group you were allocated at enrolment, and stay in that group! If there is unexpected enrolment numbers we will offer an additional Monday afternoon practical session. Attendance of practicals is compulsory!

EXTERNAL PRAC SESSIONS

On-campus session 1 15 March (Sat) 9am - 4pm E8A 120

On-campus session 2 14 - 15 April (Mon & Tues) 9am - 4pm E8A 120

On-campus session 3 24 - 25 May (Sat & Sun) 9am - 4pm E8A 120

External students must attend ALL on-campus sessions!

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS

Recommended unit materials

Textbook

The textbook for this unit is Principles in Biology by Nature Publishing - We are trialling a new e-textbook. Details for accessing and purchasing this text will be available via ilearn in the first week.

CHANGES SINCE THE LAST OFFERING OF THE UNIT

The unit has created a new skills test component which is meant to test the students proficiency at certain core research skills. Four practicals have been substantially modified to place a greater emphasis on selection, adaptation and their role in generation of diversity. A group assignment has been re-instated and the class experiment has been broadened in its score in an attempt to give students a greater appreciation of the role of competition.

Unit Schedule

LECTURE SCHEDULE

DATE LECTURER TOPIC

1. 06 / 03 / 14 Matthew Introduction to BIOL114

2. 07 / 03 / 14 Matthew The scientific process – how is it done?

3. 13 / 03 / 14 Matthew What is life and where did it come from?

4. 14 / 03 / 14 Matthew Evolution: What is it?

5. 20 / 03 / 14 Matthew Evidence for evolution and natural selection

6. 21 / 03 / 14 Matthew Basic genetic principles and genetic variation

7. 27 / 03 / 14 Matthew Evolutionary changeand how it is described

8. 28 / 03 / 14 Matthew The concept of species and speciation

9. 03 / 04 / 14 Matthew Cellular organisation and single-cell life

10. 04 / 04 / 14 Matthew Eukaryotes and multicellular life

11. 10 / 04 / 14 Matthew The “Left wall” of life

12. 11 / 04 / 14 Matthew Plants as living multi-cellular organisms

12 / 04 / 14 – 27 / 04 / 14 MIDSEMESTER BREAK

13. 01 / 05 / 14 Matthew Mid-semester Test

14. 02 / 05 / 14 TBA Curious plant biology

15. 08 / 05 / 14 Matthew Animals as living multicellular organisms

16. 09 / 05 / 14 Matthew Energy and growth in multicellular organisms

17. 15 / 05 / 14 Matthew Reproduction of multicellular organisms

18. 16 / 05 / 14 Matthew Life-history stages of plants and animals

19. 22 / 05 / 14 Matthew Behaviour of plants and animals

20. 23 / 05 / 14 Matthew Ecology and the environment

21. 29 / 05 / 14 James Woodford Milthorpe Lecture

22. 30 / 05 / 14 Matthew Population ecology

23. 05 / 06 / 14 Matthew Community ecology

24. 06 / 06 / 14 Matthew Ecosystems and the future of planet Earth

PRACTICAL TOPICS

Internals

Prac	Date	Activity	Assessment Dates
Pre-labs	NO LABS FIRST WEEK	Answer pre-prac questions in preparation for Prac 1	Weekly online activities Opens: 03/03/14 12 pm Closes: 10/03/14 12 pm *NB no quiz this week only task.
1	10 - 12/03/14	Introduction to practicals Safety induction Library challenges Induction to digital microscopy	Weekly online activities Opens: 10/03/14 12 pm Closes: 17/03/14 12 pm
2	17 – 22/03/14	Scientific method Applying the scientific method BIOL114 exp and set-up Writing materials and methods	Weekly online activities Opens: 17/03/14 12 pm Closes: 24/03/14 12 pm Skill test 1: Article search
3	24 – 26/03/14	Early life on earth Stromatolites Cyanobacteria Phylogenies - display evolution BIOL114 exp data collection	Weekly online activities Opens: 24/03/14 12 pm Closes: 31/03/14 12 pm Skill test 2: Microscope set-up
4	31/03 - 02/04/14	Natural selection How does selection work? Consequences of selection BIOL114 exp data collection	Weekly online activities Opens: 31/03/14 12 pm Closes: 07/04/14 12 pm
5	07 - 09/04/14	Cells, cells, and more cells Bacteria, Protozoa, Plant and Animal BIOL114 exp data collection	Weekly online activities Opens: 07/04/14 12 pm Closes: 14/04/14 12 pm Mini-oral presentation Mid-semester Test: lecture 11/04
Mid-semester break 12/04 to 27/04
6	28/04 – 30/04/14	Scientific Research Report Data collation and analysis Plagiarism Prac-report due: Internals: May 16^th @ 5 pm. Externals: May 23^rd @ 5 pm	Weekly online activities Opens: 28/04/14 12 pm Closes: 05/05/14 12 pm Skill test 3: Writing a paper
7	05 – 07/05/14	Organisms and their environment I Reproductive success Offspring survival Evolutionary trade-offs	Weekly online activities Opens: 05/05/14 12 pm Closes: 12/05/14 12 pm Skill test 4: Plotting data in EXCEL
8	12 – 14/05/14	Organisms and their environment II Offspring survival Evolutionary trade-offs Diversity	Weekly online activities Opens: 12/05/14 12 pm Closes: 19/05/14 12 pm Prac report due this week for: Internals: May 16^th @ 5 pm.
9	19 – 21/05/14	Organisms and their environment III The Arborgaine	Weekly online activities Opens: 19/05/14 12 pm Closes: 26/05/14 12 pm Prac report due this week: Externals: May 23^rd @ 5 pm Skill test 5: Interpreting phylogenies
10	26 – 28/05/14	Meet & greet researchers in department; Tutors return prac-report to students BIOL114 Synthesis & discussion of final exam	Weekly online activities Opens: 26/05/14 12 pm Closes: 02/05/14 12 pm

Externals

External Schedule	Dates	Practicals	Assessment
On Campus Session 1	15 March (Sat)	Pracs 1, 2	Do weekly quizzes with internals as they become available Skill test 1: Article search – Prac2
On Campus Session 2	14-15 April (Mon & Tues)	Pracs 3, 4, 6, 7	Do weekly quizzes with internals as they become available Skill test 2: Microscope set-up – Prac3 Mid Semester Test April 15^th @ 9 am Skill test 3: Writing a paper – Prac6 Skill test 4: Plotting data in EXCEL – Prac7
On Campus Session 3	24 – 25 May (Sat & Sun)	Pracs 5, 8, 9, 10	Do weekly quizzes with internals as they become available Mini-oral presentation – Prac5 Skill test 5: Interpreting phylogenies – Prac9 Prac report due May 23^rd@ 11 am

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

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

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

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.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/

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://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.

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

Graduate Capabilities

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.