Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Bruno Buzatto
8, Wally's Walk - room 209
Technical Officer
Winnie Man
Co-convenor
Mariella Herberstein
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces students to the essential concepts in current biology. BIOL1310 builds on the laboratory, statistical and communication skills obtained in BIOL1610. BIOL1310 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. BIOL1310 is designed as a companion unit to BIOL1110 in Session 2.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.
Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
BECOME A STUDENT REP IN BIOL1310!
What does a student rep do?
Works with students and convener to improve the unit experience for students
Communicates with students about any issues
Summarises feedback and issues for convener
Works with convener to find solutions
Meets with convener, other unit reps and Head of Department
Why should you nominate?
Develop your leadership skills
Develop your communication skills
Learn to receive and provide feedback
Network with other unit reps
Be an active contributor to Biology units
Express your interest by emailing the First Year Teaching Coordinator Kate Barry at biol1310@mq.edu.au!
iLEARN
The primary means of communication for this unit is via iLearnTM, which can be accessed by most web browsers from inside or outside the University.
We expect you to use iLearn for:
Doing the Weekly Quizzes
Regularly checking subject announcements (at least twice per week)
Discussing the unit and its content with staff and other students
Downloading Lecture and Practical materials
Logging in to iLearn
The iLearn login page is: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
Username: your student number
Problems? Please contact Student IT Help
Need extra help due to a disability/health condition? Please visit the Student Services
UNIT COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum requirements include:
Submit all assessments and attempt all exams
Attend and participate in all practical sessions (this is a hurdle requirement)
Missed Practicals
If you know you will miss a practical or if you missed one, please email the First Year Coordinator: biol1310@mq.edu.au
There may be alternative practical slots available for you to catch up on the missed practical, including attending the on-campus session. Please contact the First Year Coordinator to ensure there is room for you.
Overall grades
The University grading is: fail (F <50%), pass (P 50%-64%), credit (CR 65%-74%), distinction (D 75%-84%) and high distinction (HD 85%-100%).
Special Consideration
If you apply for Special Consideration for your final examination, you must make yourself available from mid July to the end of July, 2020. If you are not available at that time, there is no guarantee an additional examination time will be offered. Specific examination dates and times will be determined at a later date.
Assignment submission, Turnitin and Plagiarism
This is a paperless unit so no paper submissions will be required. All written assignments will be submitted through iLearn via a Turnitin link.
Turnitin is an online program that detects plagiarised pieces of work by comparing your writing with other published work including:
websites, books, journal articles
other submitted assignments - from across the world in the current or past years
Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one's own. To avoid plagiarism,
prepare your work well ahead of the due date,
write in your own words (no copy paste),
cite the source of the information you are writing about.
Do not under any circumstances lend your work to another student. If that student plagiarises your work you too may be liable.
The penalties imposed by the University for plagiarism are serious and may include expulsion from the University.
A full outline of the Universities policy on plagiarism is found at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/doc s/academic_honesty/policy.html.
The Academic Integrity Module for Students is an iLearn resource created by Learning Skills to help you learn about:
What ‘academic integrity’ is and why it's important,
Acceptable and unacceptable academic behaviours at university,
Your responsibilities in relation to academic integrity and your rights under the Macquarie University Academic Honesty Policy. Once you enrol in the Academic Integrity Module for Students, you can access it from your iLearn course list under the category 'Skill Building and Help Resources'.
Extensions and penalties
10% will be deducted for each day an assignment is late. If you are unable to submit the assignment by the due date, then an extension must be sought before the due date unless this is absolutely impossible. To support your extension you will be asked to submit a special consideration request via ask.mq.edu.au.
RESOURCES and SUPPORT
How to find the answers
Please read the unit outline.
Consult iLearn - often the majority of questions have already been asked and answered.
If the answer to a question will benefit others, please post it on iLearn. We will answer it in time.
First Year Coordinator: questions about practical class allocations, mark queries and organising alternative times for assessments or extensions.
Scientific officer: only during practical classes and only technical questions.
Tutor: questions throughout practical sessions and specific queries about assignments.
Unit convenors: lecture content, withdrawal, personal issues.
Unexpected adjustments made during the course will announced via announcements somake sure you check iLearn regularly.
EMAIL PROTOCOL
Always put the subject in the subject line i.e. BIOL1310 – if you do not do this you risk the email not being noticed.
Please be courteous and patient - we will endeavour to reply to your email within 48 hours.
Text Book
The textbook for BIOL1310 (and BIOL1610) is Campbell Biology (11th Edition, Australian and NZ edition).
The book is available in hard copy from the campus co-op shop (for around $170) or as ebook (for around $60).
The textbook comes with an electronic resource called 'Mastering Biology' (for an extra cost), which includes animations, exercises and a question bank for study. We recommend the use of Mastering Biology to fully engage with the material, but will not use it formally during the course.
The text book is also available in the library and there might be earlier editions available second hand that are also suitable.
WRITING AIDS
Pechenik’s guide to writing about biology is also recommended for this course as well as the following website.
http://abacus.bates.edu/~ganderso/biology/resources/writing/HTWsections.html
This website is comprehensive and will be incredibly useful throughout the semester.
OTHER HELP Macquarie University offers lots of help for your to develop your academic skills. Here is a list:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
See iLearn for the most current lecture and prac schedule.
Lectures |
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Lecture type |
Day |
Time |
Location |
Face to Face or iLearn recording |
Wednesday |
11am - 12pm |
14SCO T2 |
Face to Face or iLearn recording |
Friday |
9:00-10:00am |
23WW T2 |
iLearn Lecture (goes online on Friday) |
Monday-Friday |
from 9am |
Online Only |
Practicals (for internals only)
Practicals last for 2 hours and slots run from Wednesday 2-4 pm and finish Friday at 10am-12pm. When you enrol you have to select one slot that works with your timetable. If you cannot find a suitable slot, you can attend the practicals during the on-campus sessions as an external.
All pracs will be run in Science Labs 120 and 160, 14 Eastern Road (E8A).
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).
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 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
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
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.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
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
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.
Date | Description |
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13/02/2020 | Staff change |
12/02/2020 | The number of hours for practicals decreased from 3h to 2h, as per Department meeting about ways to reduce tutor time to save money. |
07/02/2020 | Kate taken off as contact |