Biodiversity & Systematics (BIOL3209)

Course overview

This course examines the processes that drive the diversity and distributions of plants and animals. It will cover topics about the basic units of biodiversity - species -and how new species are discovered, recognised and described. We cover the phylogenetic basis of classification systems, and the different methods used to reconstruct evolutionary history and to test the origin of traits, including those relevant for ecology and adaption. We discuss processes that are thought to contribute to lineage diversity, and how biodiversity has changed through time and over large geographic scales. Case studies come primarily from plants and animals (both terrestrial and marine), but with some reference to other organisms. Examples will largely be drawn from, but not limited to, Australian examples.

This course examines the processes that drive the evolution, diversity and distributions of plants and animals, and how organisms are named, described and classified. It will cover topics about the basic units of biodiversity—species—and how new species are discovered, recognised, described and classified (Systematics). We cover the phylogenetic basis of classification systems, and the different methods used to reconstruct evolutionary history and to test the origin of traits, including those relevant for ecology and adaption. We also consider biodiversity below the species level, includingﾠgenetic and morphological variation among populations, and speciation with and without gene flow.ﾠ

We include phylogenetic and comparative approaches that test hypotheses about the generation and maintenance of biodiversity. The course takes an evolutionary approach to addressing these questions, primarily for plants and animals. Examples will largely be drawn from, but not limited to, Australian examples.ﾠ

Systematics and comparative and phylogenetic approaches form the basis of our understanding of ecology and evolution. "Species" are the primary units of biodiversity and ecological studies, and conservation legislation. This course will provide the knowledge of how species are defined and categorised by taxonomists, which is critical for fully understanding and interpreting ecological and biodiversity studies. The course places emphases on phylogenetic analysis and comparative analyses, which are critical in inferences of trait evolution and assumptions of ecological associations.

Course requirements

Assumed background

A general biology background with completion of second level subjects in zoology, plant science, evolution, genetics or ecology.

Recommended prerequisites

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

BIOL2201, BIOL2205 and/or BIOL2204

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

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

Additional timetable information

It is expected that students will attend all lectures and practicals in person. Lectures will not be routinely recorded, although small sections of the session might be. Practicals are not recorded.

Aims and outcomes

The major aims of this course are to:

• explain how biodiversity is discovered, named and classified, 

• assess patterns of bioversity at local and global scales,

• explore evolutionary processes that lead to diversification above and below the species level, and

• examine the role of modern biological collections in understanding biodiersity.

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

Weekly in-class quizzes for each learning module

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique, Quiz, Reflection

Weight

50%

Due date

Week 1 - Week 13

During Class

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Submission is during class time.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Extensions or Deferral of this assessment are not permitted as these quizzes are completed in class each week based on the topic of the week. The best 8 of 11 quiz scores count toward your final mark so you may miss some sessions if you are unable to attend.

Project applying practical skills

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

50%

Due date

30/05/2025 1:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submission through Turnitin only.

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 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 (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).

Course grading

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

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 my.UQ 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

AI policy BIOL3209

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in learning. We encourage students to use AI as a tool in this course but the assessment items need to be their own work.

In-class non-assessed activities

·      Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing these activities.

Quizzes

·      This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Practicals

·      AI can be used for checking and modifying R code and for providing explanations of terms and concepts.

Project

·      This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of this assessment will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.

·      Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing some of this assessment task.

·      Acceptable use: generating ideas and R code, and checking spelling, grammar and flow.

·      Not acceptable: generating data, images or text.

·      Students must clearly reference all uses of AI or MT in the acknowledgments section of their report.

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

Assessment Submissionﾠ

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the on time, correct and complete submission of all assessment items.ﾠ

Please ensure you receive and save the submission confirmation for all submitted items, you may be asked to produce this as evidence of your submission.ﾠ

Turnitinﾠ

All written assessment must be submitted via the appropriate Turnitin submission portal, which can be found within the Blackboard site. You are responsible for ensuring that your submission is complete. It is wise to re-enter the Turnitin portal and confirm that your submission is there and that it has not been altered during the submission process.ﾠ

By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration “I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment”.ﾠ

Assessment/Attendanceﾠ

Please notify your Course Coordinator as soon as you become aware of any issue that may affect your ability to meet the assessment/attendance requirements of the course. The my.UQ website and the Electronic Course Profile (ECP) for your course also provide information about your course requirements, the rules associated with your courses and services offered by the University.ﾠ

A note for repeating students in this courseﾠ

Any student who enrols in a course must not be given exemption or partial credit from their previous attempt(s) for any individual piece of assessment. Instead, the student must successfully complete all of the learning activities and assessment items within the study period of enrolment (PPL Assessment - Procedures).ﾠ

If the same assessment item is set from one year to the next, repeating students are allowed to submit

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates

Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
• Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
• If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
• If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
• If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
• For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum timeframe applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for timeframes. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
• An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered, must not exceed four weeks in total. If you are incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, you are advised to apply for Removal of Course.
• If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
• Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
• There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.

Applications to defer an exam

In certain circumstances you can apply to take a deferred examination for in-semester and end-of-semester exams. You'll need to demonstrate through supporting documentation how unavoidable circumstances prevented you from sitting your exam. If you can’t, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam.

Deferred Exam requests are submitted online via mySi-net. Requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with deferred examinations, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Applications can be submitted no later than 5 calendar days after the date of the original exam.
• There are no provisions to defer a deferred exam. You need to be available to sit your deferred examination.
• Your deferred examination request(s) must have a status of "submitted" in mySI-net to be assessed.
• All applications for deferred in-semester examinations are assessed by the relevant school. Applications for deferred end-of-semester examinations are assessed by the Academic Services Division.
• You’ll receive an email to your student email account when the status of your application is updated.
• If you have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability and require alternative arrangements for your deferred exam you’ll need to complete the online alternative exam arrangements through my.UQ. This is in addition to your deferred examinations request. You need to submit this request on the same day as your request for a deferred exam or supplementary assessment. Contact Student Services if you need assistance completing your alternative exam arrangements request.

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

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Electronic notes and reading materials are provided for lectures and practicals.ﾠIt is preferrable that students bring a laptop or other smart device to activities.

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 - Students Policy and Procedure

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