Evolution (BIOL2201)

Course overview

"Evolution" provides an overview of the most significant evolutionary transitions in relation to the environmental changes associated with them, details the processes that contributed to these changes & thus develops an understanding of the principles of evolutionary biology. Human evolution is explored in relation to this background & in relation to the evolution of language & disease.

Nothing in biology makes sense without evolution. This course covers the fundamentals of evolutionary biology, both in terms of recognising and interpreting evolutionary patterns and understanding the processes that are thought to drive evolutionary change. We examine evolutionary theory and explore evolutionary processes, on both micro and macro scales, using a range of organisms from bacteria through to metazoans (plants and animals).

The courseﾠwill cover:

• Foundations of evolutionary biology
• Natural selection and adaptation
• The evolution of life histories
• Sex and sexual selection
• The evolution of sociality
• Coevolution
• Speciation and phylogeny
• The origins of life
• Regulatory Evolution
• Evolution and the fossil record
• Human evolution

Course requirements

Assumed background

A basic background in biological science is assumed BIOL1020 (prerequisite), BIOL1030 (recommended) and BIOL1040 (recommended)

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

BIOL1020

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

BIOL1030 + BIOL1040

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Aims and outcomes

This course considers the cascade of evolutionary transitions and associated environmental changes and challenges that have faced life on earth since cells first evolved and consequently gave rise to complex, multi-cellular organisms. The various evolutionary processes that contribute to change are considered in relation to organisms ranging from bacteria through to various plants and vertebrates. More specifically, human evolution is explored with reference to this background and in relation to the evolution of language, disease and modern medicine. An appreciation of evolution should help you to see every biological discipline in a new light.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Selection experiment

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

15%

Due date

4/09/2025 4:00 pm

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04, L06, L07

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

See the Additional assessment information section below for information relating to extension applications.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (the assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.

For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 

In-semester exam

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

25%

Due date

22/09/2025 2:00 pm

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04, L06, L07

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Book Club Presentation

• Team or group-based
• In-person

Mode

Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia

Category

Presentation

Weight

15%

Due date

15/09/2025 5:00 pm

Other conditions

Time limited, Peer assessed, Peer assessment factor.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L06, L07

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

See the Additional assessment information section below for information relating to group extension applications.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (the assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.

For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 

End of semester exam

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

45%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Assessment Hurdle

In order to pass this course, you must meet the following requirements (if you do not meet these requirements, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3):

You must obtain 45% or more on the End of Semester exam.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to the UQ website for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates

• Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.
• For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension
• For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D): https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=184
• Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/uq-policies-and-rules/requirements-medical-certificates

GROUP ASSIGNMENTS

• Students may be required to work in groups and submit an assessment item as a group.
• In some cases, students are expected to work in a group to gather data or generate ideas, but are expected to submit individual assessment items based on the group work. This means that you can use the group-generated ideas or data but you cannot collaborate to produce the individual written submissions. If the divisions are unclear, ask for clarification.

ﾠ

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.

A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

• Laboratory Occupational Health and Safety