Assessment details

Full details of assessments will provided on the BIOL2230 iLearn site and in class

Lab report submission

Lab reports should be submitted as Word documents (not PDFs or other formats) through the relevant Turnitin submission link on iLearn or as otherwise instructed. You must attend the relevant lab classes in order to receive marks for any lab reports that you submit for assessment; submissions will be checked against the attendance roll.

Academic honesty

Assessments must be written by the student and in the students own words. Unless otherwise indicated, all assessments must be submitted online through iLearn and will be scanned and assessed for plagiarism using the Turnitin software.  Penalties for plagiarism will be imposed as described in the assessment rubric.  Additional penalties may be imposed by the Faculty Disciplinary Committee as per the Macquarie University Academic Integrity Policy.

Extensions, late submissions, absences, and Special Considerations

If you experience a serious and unavoidable disruption to your studies and require an extension for an assessment you must submit an application for Special Consideration via Ask MQ and provide supporting documentation such as a Professional Authority Form. If you anticipate a potentially serious and unavoidable disruption (e.g. scheduled surgery) please contact the Unit Convenor (biol2230@mq.edu.au) as early as possible to apply for an extension before the due date.  Macquarie operates a "Fit to Sit" policy (see the policy document) and this applies to lab-based quizzes, the mid-semester and final examinations. Do not sit an exam if you are sick; instead, notify the Unit convenor immediately and submit a Special Consideration request via Ask MQ.  If you fail to submit an assessment by the due date or do not sit a scheduled exam, you will receive zero marks for that assessment item, unless a Special Consideration request is submitted and approved as per the policy.  Similarly, given that lab class attendance is a hurdle for completion of the Unit, any absences from lab classes must be accompanied by a Special Consideration request.

Unit completion

To pass the Unit you must achieve an overall mark of 50% and you must attend a minimum of 6 out of the 9 practical lab classes (this total excludes the compulsory mid-semester test), remembering also that if you do not attend a lab class for which there is an assessable component you will get zero marks for that assessment.

iLearn

The BIOL2230 iLearn site is the main point of contact used to disseminate information about the Unit, so please check this regularly.  You can also use the iLearn forum to ask questions and discuss topics directly with your peers.

Lectures

Lectures will be delivered on Monday from 12-2pm (12:00–14:00) at 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave - T4 Theatre (+Livestream). Lectures will be recorded with Echo360 and PDFs of the PowerPoint slides will be made available on iLearn (www.mq.edu.au/iLearn).  Please do not upload these lecture materials to course sharing websites such as StuDocu as this is a breach of copyright.

Laboratory classes for External students (see iLearn for further information regarding timing and content):

• Wednesday 15 April 09:00 - 17:00 in 4 Wallys Walk (F7B) Science labs 102, 105 & 110
• Thursday 16 April 09:00 - 17:00 in 4 Wallys Walk (F7B) Science labs 102, 105 & 110
• Saturday 16 May 09:00 - 17:00 in 4 Wallys Walk (F7B) Science labs 102, 105 & 110
• Sunday 17 May 09:00 - 17:00 in 4 Wallys Walk (F7B) Science labs 102, 105 & 110

Additional information about laboratory classes:

• Lab classes are compulsory and students must attend the class into which they have enrolled;
• This year, 4 of the lab classes have an assessable component in the form of a written lab report using information or data gathered during the lab class;
• Three short lab quizzes, the mid-semester test and an assessed group presentation exercise will also be held in the lab class slots;
• If through misadventure you are unable to attend a lab class you must apply for Special Consideration and where possible catch-up the lab class with the internal students.  If you do not apply for (or do not receive) a Special Consideration for an absence from any of the assessed lab classes and do not make these up through the internal class schedule (where timing permits) you will receive a mark of zero for that lab class report;
• Students must not exchange their lab class slot. However, in special circumstances, students may request a specific change. These requests are to be submitted by emailing Monika King (monika.king@mq.edu.au);
• An attendance register will be held and must be signed by all students at the start of each practical class. Please note that signing for someone else is a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and will be treated as such;
• Please remember that all lab classes and the mid-semester test will be held in the 4WW (F7B) Science Laboratories and you must wear enclosed footwear at all times when in the labs, including for exams. Due to WHS regulations, we are not allowed to let any student into the lab if they do not wear appropriate shoes;
• Several lab activities involve experimentation on invertebrates (crickets). If for religious or cultural reasons you are unable to participate in such experiments please contact the Unit Convenor (biol2230@mq.edu.au) to discuss this prior to the start of the Semester.
• Lab classes are also a great forum to discuss any concepts that you are struggling to understand or are particularly interested in with the tutors.

Recommended text

• Stanfield, C. L. (2017) "Principles of Human Physiology" (6th Edition). Pearson. ISBN: 9781292156484. Available through the Macquarie Co-Op Bookshop. The 5th Edition is also suitable.