Students

BIOL2520 – History of Life

2020 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Glenn Brock
glenn.brock@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
50cp including 10cp from ((BIOL1310 or BIOL114) or (GEOS2042 or GEOS204)) AND 10cp from (BIOL or ENVS or GEOS or (ANTH1051 or ANTH151) or AHIS190)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

The aim of this unit is to provide students with an introduction to the history and evolution of life on Earth. In this unit, students will be exposed to important core concepts in palaeonbiology such as evolution and extinction, functional morphology and biostratigraphy, and will investigate the morphology and evolutionary significance of the most important invertebrate and vertebrate animals groups (such as trilobites and dinosaurs) and plants in the fossil record. Combined with the opportunity to work with real fossil material during practical classes, students will also learn how fossils are used in applied palaeontology to solve various biological, ecological and geological problems. This approach gives students the opportunity to develop a deep time perspective to many of the environmental issues and challenges facing the world today. A voluntary, one day excursion to the Hunter Valley is also available and will allow students to observe fossils in the field and to collect their own fossil material.

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: Use fossils to interpret and reconstruct the history of life on Earth.
  • ULO2: Identify the major morphological features of important invertebrate and vertebrate groups preserved in the fossil record.
  • ULO3: Describe the significant evolutionary trends displayed by important animal and plant groups preserved in the fossil record.
  • ULO4: Use fossils to solve basic biological, ecological, environmental and geological problems.
  • ULO5: Undertake basic studies and interpretations of biostratigraphy, functional morphology, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and palaeoclimatic interpretation.
  • ULO6: Use both verbal and written communication techniques to present your own ideas, analyses and interpretations of scientific evidence presented in the primary scientific literature.

General Assessment Information

 

 

Task

 

Weight

 

Due Date

Linked Learning Outcomes

Linked Graduate Capabilities

 

Brief Description

 

iLearn Lecture Quizzes

 

 

15%

To be completed via the BIOL2520 iLearn page – see schedule for due dates

 

 

1-5

 

 

1-5, 7-9

iLearn weekly quizzes, 20 questions based on information presented in 2 Lectures/wk AND specific readings from the Textbook. Some questions will require independent research.

 

iLearn Laboratory Quizzes

 

 

20%

To be completed via the BIOL2520 iLearn page – see schedule for due dates

 

 

1-5

 

 

1-5, 7-9

iLearn weekly quizzes, 20 questions based on specific material presented during the laboratory sessions each week.

 

 

Discussion Topic/ Scientific Evaluation (800 words)

 

 

 

 

15%

 

Week 5: Day  students  to upload pdf to Turnit-in on or before 23:59 on FRIDAY 21 August

 

 

 

 

 

1, 3, 5, 6

 

 

 

 

2-6, 8, 9

Provides an opportunity to delve into the primary literature and formulate your own supported opinions on a hotly debated topic in palaeontology. There will be a discussion of the evidence in the Week 5 Lab and OCS Block 1. You will provide an 800 word evaluation on the Discussion Topic. Feedback will allow improvement in the Major Assignment

 

Major Assignment (2500 words)

 

 

 

30%

Week 9: All students upload to Turnit-in on FRIDAY 9 October before 23.59.

 

 

 

1, 3, 5, 6

 

 

 

2-6, 8, 9

Students must choose and submit ONE Major Assignment from the two possible topics. 2500 words. FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES! See iLearn page.

 

Zoom Seminar

 

20%

 

Weeks 11-13 –  Volunteer or be randomly allocated

 

1, 4-6

 

1-5

A 10 minute seminar [8 mins + 2 mins for questions] present via ZOOM. Focussed on an applied case study from the primary scientific literature.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Student talk 20% No Weeks 12-13
Lab Quiz 20% No Weeks 3-11
Lecture + Readings Quiz 15% No Weeks 1-11
Major Essay 30% No Week 9, 09/10/2020
Discussion Topic 15% No Week 5, 21/08/2020

Student talk

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Weeks 12-13
Weighting: 20%

 

Students will give a powerpoint presentation outlining a specific case study demonstrating the applied use of fossils to solve biological, ecological, environmental and geological problems

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Use fossils to interpret and reconstruct the history of life on Earth.
  • Use fossils to solve basic biological, ecological, environmental and geological problems.
  • Use both verbal and written communication techniques to present your own ideas, analyses and interpretations of scientific evidence presented in the primary scientific literature.

Lab Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Weeks 3-11
Weighting: 20%

 

There will be short quizzes associated with each Lab class. Students required to attend Labs to be able to answer Qs

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Use fossils to interpret and reconstruct the history of life on Earth.
  • Use fossils to solve basic biological, ecological, environmental and geological problems.
  • Undertake basic studies and interpretations of biostratigraphy, functional morphology, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and palaeoclimatic interpretation.

Lecture + Readings Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Weeks 1-11
Weighting: 15%

 

Weekly quizzes will be based on lectures and readings.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Use fossils to interpret and reconstruct the history of life on Earth.
  • Identify the major morphological features of important invertebrate and vertebrate groups preserved in the fossil record.
  • Describe the significant evolutionary trends displayed by important animal and plant groups preserved in the fossil record.

Major Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 9, 09/10/2020
Weighting: 30%

 

A scientific essay on a choice of 3 prescribed palaeo topics. A few core papers provided for each topic, student must data mine, read papers, formulate and organise text, write formal scientific paper.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the significant evolutionary trends displayed by important animal and plant groups preserved in the fossil record.
  • Use fossils to solve basic biological, ecological, environmental and geological problems.
  • Undertake basic studies and interpretations of biostratigraphy, functional morphology, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and palaeoclimatic interpretation.
  • Use both verbal and written communication techniques to present your own ideas, analyses and interpretations of scientific evidence presented in the primary scientific literature.

Discussion Topic

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 19 hours
Due: Week 5, 21/08/2020
Weighting: 15%

 

Students will develop a written response based on critical evaluation of evidence on palaeo topic with opposing views. Used as training for scientific writing that can be used to improve Major Essay

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Use fossils to interpret and reconstruct the history of life on Earth.
  • Use fossils to solve basic biological, ecological, environmental and geological problems.
  • Undertake basic studies and interpretations of biostratigraphy, functional morphology, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and palaeoclimatic interpretation.
  • Use both verbal and written communication techniques to present your own ideas, analyses and interpretations of scientific evidence presented in the primary scientific literature.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

2 x pre-recorded Lectures per week [weeks 1-11]

3 live zoom tutorials

8 x weekly Labs [Weeks 3-11]. OneWeek lost due to Labour day

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

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