Students

BIOL3530 – Ecophysiology and Adaptation

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Simon Griffith
simon.griffith@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Martyna Kotowska
martyna.kotowska@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
BIOL2110 Genetics
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Species are facing an unprecedented rate of environmental change. Physiological processes underpin the capacity of species to respond to climate change and other environmental pressures. The diverse and distinct roles that physiology plays in species distributions and persistence has profound consequences for ecosystem structure and function. This unit provides an applied understanding of the principles and applications of comparative ecophysiology, enabling students to critically analyse and interpret the physiological adaptations of organisms in relation to their environment.  

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: Explain the physiological mechanisms that give organisms the capacity to respond to a changing world
  • ULO2: Investigate how the interaction between physiology and environment influences species distributions at local to global scales
  • ULO3: Investigate the role of physiology in shaping organismal growth, survival, and reproduction
  • ULO4: Relate physiological strategies to ecosystem structure and function
  • ULO5: Design and execute experiments to investigate specific questions related to comparative ecophysiology, collecting and analysing relevant data
  • ULO6: Critically evaluate current research and literature in comparative ecophysiology, including primary scientific articles and case studies
  • ULO7: Communicate scientific findings and interpretations related to comparative ecophysiology effectively, both orally and in written formats, to diverse audiences

General Assessment Information

To pass this unit you need to achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50% across all assessments.

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 submissions for both the LabArchive Report, and the Research Project submission will be accepted. For both assessments the Standard Late Penalty applies, unless Special Consideration has been requested and approved. 

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 https://connect.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Scientific report 30% No 05/06/2026 Individual Yes Open
Final exam 50% No Exam Period Individual No Observed
Laboratory and experimental results 20% No 15/05/2026 Individual No Observed

Scientific report

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 05/06/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

You will submit a formal report of your project. Note that although this is based on group work, everyone must submit an individual report.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the physiological mechanisms that give organisms the capacity to respond to a changing world
  • Design and execute experiments to investigate specific questions related to comparative ecophysiology, collecting and analysing relevant data
  • Critically evaluate current research and literature in comparative ecophysiology, including primary scientific articles and case studies
  • Communicate scientific findings and interpretations related to comparative ecophysiology effectively, both orally and in written formats, to diverse audiences

Final exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

The final exam will be held during the formal examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the physiological mechanisms that give organisms the capacity to respond to a changing world
  • Investigate how the interaction between physiology and environment influences species distributions at local to global scales
  • Investigate the role of physiology in shaping organismal growth, survival, and reproduction
  • Relate physiological strategies to ecosystem structure and function
  • Communicate scientific findings and interpretations related to comparative ecophysiology effectively, both orally and in written formats, to diverse audiences

Laboratory and experimental results

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 15/05/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

Keeping a lab book is an essential part of working in a laboratory. It allows you to record experimental procedures, observations, and data, ensuring a comprehensive and organised record of research activities, and facilitating reproducibility as well as protecting intellectual property. This will be submitted at a single time point towards the end of the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the physiological mechanisms that give organisms the capacity to respond to a changing world
  • Investigate how the interaction between physiology and environment influences species distributions at local to global scales
  • Investigate the role of physiology in shaping organismal growth, survival, and reproduction
  • Communicate scientific findings and interpretations related to comparative ecophysiology effectively, both orally and in written formats, to diverse audiences

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Learning material will be posted weekly on ilearn and will remain available for the rest of the session.

Practical classes will be held in laboratories and as time-tabled. There is no online equivalent to the material presented during the practical classes.

Unit Schedule

Practical classes will be held weekly (from Week 1). Details of each practical will be posted a week earlier on ilearn. Reading and preparation for each practical class is required so that you understand the concepts and approaches to be addressed in each practical class. 

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

This is the first offering of BIOL3530.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
16/02/2026 We have shifted the deadline for one assessment from 8th May to 15th May as a result of a slight rescheduling of practical classes for logistical reasons.

Unit information based on version 2026.04 of the Handbook