ENV BIOL 3560 - Evolution of Australian Biota III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This course aims to provide advanced theoretical understanding of modern advances in techniques for systematics, evolution and the fossil record and the application of these to the study of the evolution and conservation of biodiversity. Students will investigate a range of key topics in evolutionary biology and apply critical thinking by assessing current literature in the area. Topics will include: past climates and habitats and how they have shaped the present day Australian biota; evolutionary trees; morphological and molecular systematics, ancient DNA; molecular clocks; biogeography; extinction; and computational challenges for processing and interpreting large-scale genomic data in phylogeography. Several themes will be explored in detail throughout the course; in particular, adaptations displayed by native animals and plants to arid, nutrient-stressed, aquatic and/or marine environments.

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Course Details

Course Code	ENV BIOL 3560
Course	Evolution of Australian Biota III
Coordinating Unit	Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 12 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	ENV BIOL 2501
Incompatible	ENV BIOL 3230, ENV BIOL 3122, ENV BIOL 3123 or ENV BIOL 3550
Assumed Knowledge	ENV BIOL 2500 and ENV BIOL 2503 and (ENV BIOL 3545 or ENV BIOL 3510 or ENV BIOL 3535)
Assessment	Mid-term and final in-term tests and essays

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr John Conran

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1	Analyse, synthesise and critically evaluate theories of cutting-edge solutions to problems in evolutionary biology and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of evolutionary studies as a foundation of comparative biology
2	Understand the importance of the fossil record in evolutionary studies from a theoretical perspective and the role of phylogenetic studies in the wider context of biodiversity and conservation
3	Present information relating to the evolution of the Australian biota in a written form that aligns with conventions for scientific reports

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.	1-3
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.	1-3
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.	2-3
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1-3
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	3
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	2
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	1, 2, 3
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1-3

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course demonstrates theory through the direct exposure of logic, experimental design and experience of the natural environment from 3 x 1-hour lectures per week 8 x 1-hour specialist workshops on cutting edge current research topics and an in-depth literature-based assignment derived from workshop-related topics. Each component of the course is approached systematically so that by the end, all components have been brought together through individual reports and presentations.

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 should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

Learning Activities Summary

Lecture topics will include:

1.   Palaeontology, past climates and ecosystems and their impacts on the present-day biota, particularly focusing on, but not
limited to the Cenozoic (10 lectures);

2.   Evolution of the Australian Flora covering molecular and morphological approaches to the study of major angiosperm groups
as well as aspects of their evolutionary biology, focusing on pollination co-evolution and exaptation (11 lectures).

3.   Evolution of the Australian fauna, focusing on radiations, adaptations and specialisations throughout the changing Australian
environment over time, using morphological and molecular approaches to the study of phylogeny and phylogeography (14 lectures).

Students will learn to apply scientific techniques and approaches in tutorials which will expose students to cutting edge problem solving skills needed to advance knowledge and are presented by specialist academic staff on topics directly related to their own research. The aim is to give students an insight into the approaches and challenges of current evolutionary research and to encourage critical thinking on key issues via discussion with an academic expert in a research environment.

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	Learning Outcome	Due
Mid-term Test	Formative & Summative	2 x 20%	No	1-3	Weeks 4 & 7
Literature report	Formative & Summative	2 x 15%	No	1-3	Weeks 8 & 12
Final Exam	Summative	30%	No	3	Week 12

Assessment Detail

Progressive Tests: (40% of total course grade, 2 x 1 hours).

Test 1: (20%, 1 hour)
Comprises a combination of short answer and/or essay questions and will cover lectures 1–10 (week 4).

Test 2: (20%, 1 hour)
Comprises a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions to be assessed online and will cover lectures 11–21 (week 7)

Final In-term Test: (30% of total course grade, 1.5 hours)
It covers mainly lecture material from weeks 8–12, but to ensure summative knowledge of the course may also integrate concepts and theories from the entire course. It is mainly short answer and essay questions (week 12).

Literature report: (30% of course grade)
This will require in-depth literature-based explorations of two of the workshop topics (chosen by the student) and will comprise 2 x 15% essays of about 2000 words for each topic (due by weeks 8 and 12 respectively).

Submission

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 the assignment 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 late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

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 .

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.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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