ENV BIOL 2503 - Zoology II
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code ENV BIOL 2503 Course Zoology II Coordinating Unit Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 6 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Incompatible ENV BIOL 2530 Assumed Knowledge BIOLOGY 1101 or BIOLOGY 1401 & BIOLOGY 1201 or BIOLOGY 1202 or BIOLOGY 1001 Assessment Practical work, essay, online assessments Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Jeremy Austin
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
A successful student in this course should be able to: 1 Understand the diversity and evolutionary relationships among animals 2 Explain the basic structure and function of different groups of invertebrates and vertebrates 3 Identify common organisms to broad groups (e.g. Phyla) 4 Explain the mechanical function of the skeleton 5 Describe principles of gas exchange and energetics of animals 6 Synthesise and evaluate information from readings to write an essay University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-6 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1-6 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Access to a laptop or desktop computer with internet access.
Microsoft Office 365 software (Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint) or equivalent - available for FREE from /technology/your-services/software/software-for-students#microsoft-office-365
Laboratory coats and closed shoes are compulsory in practical sessions.Recommended Resources
Text Books
There are no mandatory textbooks for this course. The following textbooks provide useful background, additional information and "test your knowledge" sections that will enhance your understanding and critical thinking in this course.
Hickman, Keen, Larson, Eisenhour and Roberts (2021) Animal Diversity, 9th Edition
Online version available through the University Library
Campbell Biology, 12th Edition
Online version available through the University LibraryOnline Learning
Additional resources (e.g. further reading material) will be provided in lectures and on MyUni. The Discussion Board (in My Uni) will be used for general questions and interaction. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course uses a combination of lectures, practicals and self-directed group and individual field-work.
Attendance at lectures is highly recommended; attendance at practicals is mandatory as they support the theoretical knowledge gained in the lectures and form part of the practical assessment. Participation in and completion of the two self-directed activities is also mandatory.
Lectures: 2-3 x 1 hr lectures per week
Practicals: 5 x 3hr practicals (week allocation depends on public holidays, but normally they are held in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10)
The two self-directed learning exercises relate to rocky reef marine invertebrates and the other a backyard arthropod exercise, which form part of the course and should be undertaken in students own time. The rocky reef marine invertebrates is undertaken in groups of ~ 4 people. All other assessment items should be done individually. The essay, self-directed learning exercises and practicals build on material covered in lectures.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required for the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision; self-directed learning exercises and essay).
Learning Activities Summary
Lectures
Lecture topics include
Animal diversity and body plans
Sponges
Cnidarians
Worms
Molluscs
Annelids
Echinoderms
Arthropods
Chelicerates and Myriapods
Insects
Hemichordates and vertebrate origins
Diversity of fishes
Amniote origins
Origins of birds and mammals
Bird diversity
Mammal diversity
Locomotion in vertebrates
Bioenergetics and homeostasis
Circulation and gas exchange
Feeding and digestion in vertebrates
Two live animal displays may also be included in the lecture time-slots (Bugs and Slugs, Animals Anonymous)
Practicals
The five practicals focus on
Practical 1. Introduction to Microscopy & Scientific Illustration
Practical 2. Molluscs: squid dissection
Practical 3. Insect adaptive radiation & diversity
Practical 4. Vertebrate evolution
Practical 5. Functional Morphology of Vertebrates
Specific Course Requirements
This may include specific requirements such as field trips. All requirements must comply with the relevant policies. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle (Yes/No) Outcome assessed/achieved Approximate Timing of Assessment 5x Practical MCQs (online) Formative/Summative 3% each (15% total) No 1-3 Week 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 Self-directed field exercises: rocky reef marine
invertebrates & arthropods in your backyardFormative/Summative 10% each (20% total) No 1-3 Weeks 5, 7 Essay Formative/Summative 25% No 1, 2, 3, 6 Week 8 4x lecture tests (online) Summative 10% each (40% total) No 1-5 Weeks 4, 7, 9 12 Assessment Related Requirements
The 5x practical MCQs and the 4x lecture tests are all conducted online via MyUni.
Students will require access to a computer with reliable internet access.
There may also be a requirement to install the LockDownBrowser software on your computer prior to undertaking any of the online tests.
Assessment Detail
Practical tests (total of 15% of course grades)
All five pracs will be assessed via online MCQ's run through MyUni. Each test is worth 3% and must be completed before the end of your assigned practical session.
Self-directed field exercises (total of 20% of course grades)
There are two self-directed field exercises each worth 10% each that students should complete in their own time. One is related to rocky reef invertebrates and the other to backyard arthropods. Both will expose students to a diversity of organisms, allow them to use a variety of methods for observing/collecting organisms and help them to collate observations and information related to different organisms. The rocky reef invertebrates one must be completed in groups of up to 4 people. The backyard arthropods one should be completed individually.
Essay (total of 25% of course grades)
A 1500-2000 word essay forms part of the assessment. Further details on the essay topic and guidelines for writing essays including information on the format and style will be provided in an essay writing video.
Requirements for the essay should be guided by Margaret Cargill & Patrick O'Connor (2009) Writing Scientific Research Articles: Strategy and Steps. Wiley-Blackwell.Lecture Tests (total of 40% of course grades)
Four online lecture tests will assess knowledge, problem solving and critical thinking abilities from the lecture material. Each test may comprise short answer and/or MCQ's and must be completed during a non-teaching lecture or practical slot.
Submission
Late submission of assessments
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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