Students

BIOL3310 – Invertebrate Biology and Behaviour

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-infrequent, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ajay Narendra
ajay.narendra@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including BIOL2310 or BIOL2210
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit explores the fascinating world of invertebrate animals. The unit starts by briefly outlining the diversity and key features of the major groups of invertebrate animals (excluding unicellular organisms), and using phylogenetic analysis to explore evolutionary relationships. Once this is established, we move away from a development and taxonomic focus to discuss major topics including: mating systems, communication, host-parasite relationships, predator-prey interactions, sociality, biological control, climate change, and conservation. These major topics draw on examples from research papers on various groups of invertebrates. This unit is suitable for students who are interested in whole animal biology or biological education, or for students who are interested in further research.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Quality Education; Climate Action; Life on Land

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: Competently use microscopy and imaging techniques to classify invertebrates into major taxonomic groups on the basis of morphological traits
  • ULO2: Identify morphological, behavioural, and physiological adaptations that allow invertebrates to survive in distinct habitats
  • ULO3: Assess how adaptations of invertebrates influence species and community interactions, and ecosystem function
  • ULO4: Create hypotheses and design experiments to test those hypothesis by analysing appropriate data
  • ULO5: Critically evaluate scientific hypotheses by statistically analysing data, and accurately interpreting results of those analyses
  • ULO6: Effectively communicate biological research findings and concepts to diverse audiences including scientists and the general public

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit you need to:

Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50% across all assessments.

Attendance and Participation to Pass this Unit

We strongly encourage all students to actively participate in all learning activities. Regular engagement is crucial for your success in this unit, as these activities provide opportunities to deepen your understanding of the material, collaborate with peers, and receive valuable feedback from instructors, to assist in completing the unit assessments. Your active participation not only enhances your own learning experience but also contributes to a vibrant and dynamic learning environment for everyone.

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. 

Late submission penalty holds for all assessments, unless special consideration is granted.

 

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.

Written Assessments: If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the written assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au. 

If you miss a practical class due to a serious, unavoidable and significant disruption, contact your convenor ASAP.

Pracs for this unit will be held in 2 blocks, one in August (30, 31) and another in September (25, 26, 27), Practicals will be from 9-12 and 1-4pm on all five days.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Final Assessment 25% No Exam Period
Mid-Session Test 20% No 25/09/2025
Scientific Journal Article 25% No 23/10/2025
Microscopy and Imaging 20% No 11/09/2025
Early assessment quiz 5% No 21/08/2025
Practical assessment 5% No 25/09/2025

Final Assessment

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 25%

 

A multiple choice, short and medium answer format questions on knowledge of course content (lectures, pracs and readings) for the second half of semester.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify morphological, behavioural, and physiological adaptations that allow invertebrates to survive in distinct habitats
  • Assess how adaptations of invertebrates influence species and community interactions, and ecosystem function

Mid-Session Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: 25/09/2025
Weighting: 20%

 

A multiple choice, short and medium answer format questions on knowledge of course content (lectures, pracs and readings) for the first half of semester.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Competently use microscopy and imaging techniques to classify invertebrates into major taxonomic groups on the basis of morphological traits
  • Identify morphological, behavioural, and physiological adaptations that allow invertebrates to survive in distinct habitats
  • Assess how adaptations of invertebrates influence species and community interactions, and ecosystem function

Scientific Journal Article

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 23/10/2025
Weighting: 25%

 

Students will complete a scientific research report, written in their own words. You will develop a hypothesis, design an experiment, analyse data, prepare figures and write a manuscript. The report will follow the format of a Current Biology paper - details of which will be provided in class and online in iLearn.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Create hypotheses and design experiments to test those hypothesis by analysing appropriate data
  • Critically evaluate scientific hypotheses by statistically analysing data, and accurately interpreting results of those analyses
  • Effectively communicate biological research findings and concepts to diverse audiences including scientists and the general public

Microscopy and Imaging

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: 11/09/2025
Weighting: 20%

 

Students will develop skills in imaging and measuring features in specimens from images acquired using light and scanning electron microscopes; build an image portfolio with appropriate descriptions of the features they image. Further details will be provided on iLearn and in the practical classes.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Competently use microscopy and imaging techniques to classify invertebrates into major taxonomic groups on the basis of morphological traits
  • Identify morphological, behavioural, and physiological adaptations that allow invertebrates to survive in distinct habitats
  • Effectively communicate biological research findings and concepts to diverse audiences including scientists and the general public

Early assessment quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: 21/08/2025
Weighting: 5%

 

This is an early assessment quiz to help you know how you are doing early on in the unit. It will cover material in the first 3 weeks of semester.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify morphological, behavioural, and physiological adaptations that allow invertebrates to survive in distinct habitats
  • Assess how adaptations of invertebrates influence species and community interactions, and ecosystem function

Practical assessment

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 4 hours
Due: 25/09/2025
Weighting: 5%

 

One of the practical session will involve building hypothesis, carrying out observations, statical analyses and learn to prepare figures. Students will prepare a report based on the outcomes of the practical.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Assess how adaptations of invertebrates influence species and community interactions, and ecosystem function
  • Create hypotheses and design experiments to test those hypothesis by analysing appropriate data
  • Critically evaluate scientific hypotheses by statistically analysing data, and accurately interpreting results of those analyses

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

The first lecture of the Unit will be live on zoom. July 30, 3-4pm. Details on iLearn. Recorded lectures and slides will be available on ECHO 360.

Pracs for this unit will be held in 2 blocks, one in August (30, 31) and another in September (25, 26, 27), Practicals will be from 9-12 and 1-4pm on all five days.

Methods of Communication

We will communicate with you via your university email and through announcements on iLearn. Queries to the convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to the unit convenor via the contact email on iLearn.

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 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/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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:

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 2025.03 of the Handbook