Students

BIOL1320 – Biological Basis of Behaviour

2021 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Martin Whiting
Contact via BIOL1320@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

BIOL1320 is a suitable introductory science course of interest for all students, designed for the 'free' zone. Canvassing a range of topics relevant to today's society in a manner accessible to all students, this journey teaches students the skills to communicate to a general audience. In contents, it offers an integrative approach to the amazing world of behaviour. Basic mechanisms are covered, together with function and evolution. Lecture topics include explanations of behaviour, evolution, evolutionary origins of behaviour, basic neuroscience, perception, learning, brain and behaviour, and topics in animal behaviour. Lectures culminate with some reflections on the lives of humans in our modern world and the role of culture in human evolution.

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: Describe the basic functioning of the nervous system in animals, including the senses
  • ULO2: Explain the principles of evolution by natural selection and sexual selection
  • ULO3: Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts and principles in genetics, epigenetics, perception, learning, human evolution, explanations in animal behaviour, and the topics on the nature of science, ethics, study skills, animal behaviour and on evolution and human behaviour presented in the unit
  • ULO4: Apply knowledge and skills to collect, analyse, and interpret scientific data including those presented in graphic form
  • ULO5: Extract key points from scientific papers and other forms of presentation and accurately communicate these to a general audience
  • ULO6: Comment critically on scientific papers and other forms of presentation with regard to life on our planet today

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
quizzes in textbook 28% Yes 8 quizzes: 9,16,30 Aug, 6,27 Sept, 4,18 Oct, 7 Nov
Participation in pracs 4% No No due date
Essay 30% No 18/10/2021
Major lab quiz 3% No 25/10/2021
final examination 35% No Begins week 13

quizzes in textbook

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: 8 quizzes: 9,16,30 Aug, 6,27 Sept, 4,18 Oct, 7 Nov
Weighting: 28%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

quiz questions in each chapter of the e-textbook

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the basic functioning of the nervous system in animals, including the senses
  • Explain the principles of evolution by natural selection and sexual selection
  • Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts and principles in genetics, epigenetics, perception, learning, human evolution, explanations in animal behaviour, and the topics on the nature of science, ethics, study skills, animal behaviour and on evolution and human behaviour presented in the unit

Participation in pracs

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 1 hours
Due: No due date
Weighting: 4%

 

Submitting certain tasks in pracs, tasks that are not graded for quality, that is, assessed as done (gaining all allotted marks) or not done (no allotted marks at all).

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the basic functioning of the nervous system in animals, including the senses
  • Explain the principles of evolution by natural selection and sexual selection
  • Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts and principles in genetics, epigenetics, perception, learning, human evolution, explanations in animal behaviour, and the topics on the nature of science, ethics, study skills, animal behaviour and on evolution and human behaviour presented in the unit
  • Apply knowledge and skills to collect, analyse, and interpret scientific data including those presented in graphic form
  • Extract key points from scientific papers and other forms of presentation and accurately communicate these to a general audience
  • Comment critically on scientific papers and other forms of presentation with regard to life on our planet today

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 18/10/2021
Weighting: 30%

 

Commentary summarising a scientific article and topic, including incorporating other sources of primary literature.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply knowledge and skills to collect, analyse, and interpret scientific data including those presented in graphic form
  • Extract key points from scientific papers and other forms of presentation and accurately communicate these to a general audience
  • Comment critically on scientific papers and other forms of presentation with regard to life on our planet today

Major lab quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: 25/10/2021
Weighting: 3%

 

quiz in iLearn on reading information from graphs in scientific articles

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply knowledge and skills to collect, analyse, and interpret scientific data including those presented in graphic form

final examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Begins week 13
Weighting: 35%

 

examination in the final exam period

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the basic functioning of the nervous system in animals, including the senses
  • Explain the principles of evolution by natural selection and sexual selection
  • Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts and principles in genetics, epigenetics, perception, learning, human evolution, explanations in animal behaviour, and the topics on the nature of science, ethics, study skills, animal behaviour and on evolution and human behaviour presented in the unit

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

Lectures online, pracs in person with an option for online. See iLearn for details and details on the course book (an eBook).

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

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.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
12/08/2021 Added BIOL1320@mq.edu.au as a contact address for this unit, as directed by Sharyon O'Donnell.

Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook