Students
BIOL8760 – Climate Change Biology: Impacts and Adaptation
2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jessica Boomer
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MConsBiol or GradDipConsBiol or GradCertConsBiol or MEnv or MEnvPlan or GradDipEnv or MMarScMgt or MSusDev or GradDipSusDev or MSc or MPlan or MSocEntre or GradCertSusDev or GradDipSIA or MScInnovationBioConsMgmt or BBioConsMConsBiol
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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 explores the impacts of climate change on the biosphere, and adaptation options. Topics include biodiversity and conservation, invasive species and their management, impacts on agriculture and urban ecosystems, and the consequences for human health and well-being in both developed and developing countries. Students will explore what is projected to happen if the international target of restricting global temperature rise to no more than 2 degree Celcius is not met, and why even this target will have critical impacts. Students will meet guest scientists and government and industry experts who are at the forefront of solving the immense challenge that climate change brings to the biosphere.
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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: Analyse, critique and synthesise knowledge about the impacts of climate change on a broad range of sectors, drawing connections across fields of knowledge
- ULO2: Utilise research skills to identify impacts of climate change on a given sector, and interpret the likely consequences of these for the selected sector.
- ULO3: Demonstrate creative problem solving skills to develop adaptation strategies that increase resilience to climate change
- ULO4: Evaluate areas of scientific uncertainty and complexity in different sectors, and account for this in adaptation strategies
- ULO5: Identify barriers and challenges to implementing adaptation responses, and communicate creative approaches to bridge these barriers.
- ULO6: Transfer knowledge and skills regarding adaptation planning to industries/sectors beyond your personal experience
General Assessment Information
Requirements to Pass this Unit
To pass this unit you should attempt all assessments, and you must achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration.
Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted
Assessment Quiz - NO, unless Special Consideration is Granted
Assessment: Presentation – NO, unless Special Consideration is Granted
Assessment: Impacts and Adaptation Report – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies, to avoid these please apply for Special Consideration
Assessment: Adaptation Plan – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies, to avoid these please apply for Special Consideration
Special Consideration
The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | 15% | No | Ongoing |
| Quiz | 21% | No | Week 5, 9, 12 |
| Impacts and adaptation | 24% | No | Week 7 |
| Adaptation Plan | 40% | No | Week 13 |
Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 15%
You will be assessed on your ability to research, summarise and communicate scientifically rigorous information on climate change impacts and adaptation, on a sector of your choice.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse, critique and synthesise knowledge about the impacts of climate change on a broad range of sectors, drawing connections across fields of knowledge
- Utilise research skills to identify impacts of climate change on a given sector, and interpret the likely consequences of these for the selected sector.
- Demonstrate creative problem solving skills to develop adaptation strategies that increase resilience to climate change
- Evaluate areas of scientific uncertainty and complexity in different sectors, and account for this in adaptation strategies
- Identify barriers and challenges to implementing adaptation responses, and communicate creative approaches to bridge these barriers.
- Transfer knowledge and skills regarding adaptation planning to industries/sectors beyond your personal experience
Quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 5, 9, 12
Weighting: 21%
Three quizzes throughout the semester will test your knowledge on climate change theory, impacts and interactions with the biosphere, and adaptation actions. These will be open book quizzes undertaken via iLearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse, critique and synthesise knowledge about the impacts of climate change on a broad range of sectors, drawing connections across fields of knowledge
- Evaluate areas of scientific uncertainty and complexity in different sectors, and account for this in adaptation strategies
- Identify barriers and challenges to implementing adaptation responses, and communicate creative approaches to bridge these barriers.
- Transfer knowledge and skills regarding adaptation planning to industries/sectors beyond your personal experience
Impacts and adaptation
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 24%
Through a blog-style essay, you will be assessed on your ability to identify the impacts of climate change on a given sector, and communicate knowledge gaps, appropriate adaptation actions and barriers to adaptation to a non-science audience
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse, critique and synthesise knowledge about the impacts of climate change on a broad range of sectors, drawing connections across fields of knowledge
- Utilise research skills to identify impacts of climate change on a given sector, and interpret the likely consequences of these for the selected sector.
- Demonstrate creative problem solving skills to develop adaptation strategies that increase resilience to climate change
- Evaluate areas of scientific uncertainty and complexity in different sectors, and account for this in adaptation strategies
- Identify barriers and challenges to implementing adaptation responses, and communicate creative approaches to bridge these barriers.
- Transfer knowledge and skills regarding adaptation planning to industries/sectors beyond your personal experience
Adaptation Plan
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
This written report will assess your understanding of the breadth of climate impacts on an appropriate sector you have not previous explored, and your ability to research solutions and develop a logical adaptation plan for that sector that accounts for uncertainty and knowledge gaps.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse, critique and synthesise knowledge about the impacts of climate change on a broad range of sectors, drawing connections across fields of knowledge
- Utilise research skills to identify impacts of climate change on a given sector, and interpret the likely consequences of these for the selected sector.
- Demonstrate creative problem solving skills to develop adaptation strategies that increase resilience to climate change
- Evaluate areas of scientific uncertainty and complexity in different sectors, and account for this in adaptation strategies
- Identify barriers and challenges to implementing adaptation responses, and communicate creative approaches to bridge these barriers.
- Transfer knowledge and skills regarding adaptation planning to industries/sectors beyond your personal experience
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 will begin in Week 1, workshops will begin in Week 3. Please see the BIOL8760/7760 iLearn site for details.
Methods of Communication
- We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements on iLearn. Queries to the convenor can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to jessica.boomer@mq.edu.au from your university email address.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
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 from Previous Offering
We value student feedback to be able to continually improve the way we offer our units. As such we encourage students to provide constructive feedback via student surveys, to the teaching staff directly, or via the FSE Student Experience & Feedback link in the iLearn page.
Student feedback from the previous offering of this unit was very positive overall, with students pleased with the clarity around assessment requirements and the level of support from teaching staff. As such, no change to the delivery of the unit is planned, however we will continue to strive to improve the level of support and the level of student engagement.
Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook