Vertebrate Diversity & Evolution (BIOL3320)

Course overview

This course will cover of all aspects of vertebrate evolution and diversity through space and time, delivered with a focus on Australian species. It will explore the main living and extinct vertebrate groups (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) with Australian examples, based on lectures and matching hands-on pracs. Subsequently, lectures and hands-on pracs will examine the basic body plan, diversity/ taxonomy/ ID, evolution, phylobiogeography, biomechanics (feeding and locomotion), and current topics of interest (such as conservation or biomedical relevance).

Australia is the best place to study and observe vertebrate diversity! This course provides in-depth coverage of vertebrate diversity and evolution, with a particular focus on Australian vertebrates. There will be two modules: The first will present the dazzling diversity of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals in the context of their evolution and biogeography, supported by matching pracs and a 3D virtual reference museum. The second module uses this knowledge to delve into the diverse adaptations of the vertebrate body, focusing on locomotion, circulation, sensory and reproductive adaptations, and feeding and digestive strategies. The lectures will be accompanied by hands-on pracs, including dissections, identification exercises and virtual 3D exercises. We will also examine some of the current debates surrounding Australian vertebrate life in the context of conservation.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Students are expected to have completed BIOL2204 Zoology and BIOL2201 Evolution before attempting this course.

Recommended prerequisites

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

BIOL2204 or BIOL2201

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

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

Aims and outcomes

To gain a solid understanding of vertebrate diversity, evolution and form and function.

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

Evolution and diversity essay

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

20%

Due date

Essay is due on Wed 28 August at 14:00h.

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submission will be through Turnitin

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.

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.

Evolution and diversity poster

Mode

Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written

Category

Poster

Weight

10%

Due date

Poster is due on Wed 11 September at 14:00h.

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submitted BOTH as a electronic copy through Turnitin and a hard copy: A2 size poster. For the hard copy, a coversheet will be sent to you 1 week before the submission date. Please print, sign and attach it to your poster before submitting it to the SENV Help Desk - Steele Building.

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.

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.

Practical assessment - final practical exam

• Hurdle

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

30%

Due date

Students will be notified of Practical Exam date later in semester

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Diversity, evolution, comparative anatomy/function - final exam

• Hurdle

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

40%

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

Students are required to get a grade of at least 50% in the combined final and practical exams, and a grade of at least 50% overall to pass the course.

Students whoﾠachieve a mark of less than 47%ﾠon the hurdle mentioned above,ﾠwill achieve a grade of 2ﾠfor the course (regardless of their total percentage for all assessments in the course).

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

COURSE HURDLES

Students are required to get a grade of at least 50% in the combined final and practical exam, and a grade of at least 50% overall to pass the course.

achieve a mark of less than 47% on the hurdle mentioned above, will achieve a grade of 2 for the course (regardless of their total percentage for all assessments in the course).

Applications for Extensions

Information on applying for an extension can be found here - my.UQ Applying for an extension

Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.

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 Word document outlining why you cannot provide the documentation and upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.

Please note: While your extension request is being considered, you should work towards completing and submitting your assessment as soon as possible.

If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses. You might need to consider applying for removal of course. We strongly recommend you seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.

Extensions with Student Access Plans (SAP)

For extensions up to 7 days, your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, extension requests longer than 7 days (for any one assessment item) will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. A maximum of two applications may be submitted for any one assessment item, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.

SUPPLEMENTARY ASSESSMENTS

If you are awarded supplementary assessment then generally the supplementary assessment will be equivalent to the failed assessment piece. For example, If you failed the practical component, then you will be required to complete an additional practical report/exam. If you failed the exam component, then you will be required to complete an exam. If you failed both components, you will be required to complete both.

• A passing grade will be awarded only if you obtain at least 50% of the marks in all items of supplementary assessment that you undertake.
• The decision on the format of the supplementary assessment will be made by the course coordinator.
• For some assessment items, for example oral presentations, a different type of assessment may be substituted at the discretion of the course co-ordinator

Supplementary assessments will be designed to allow eligible students to demonstrate specific learning objectives of the course.

Information on supplementary assessment can be found on the MyUQ website.

APPLYING FOR A DEFERRAL OF AN EXAM

If you are unable to sit an exam you need to apply online through my-SiNet. Please read the information on theﾠMyUQ websiteﾠon how to apply for a deferral of your exam.

SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENTS

Unlike 1st and 2nd year courses,you can only submit your assignment ONCE through Turnitin - multiple submissions cannot occur. The Turnitin site will be open on the due date. Please make sure you submit only the final version through Turnitin

All appropriate assignments must be submitted through Turnitin. The course coordinator may also require a hard copy of the assignments. If a hard copy is required then both versions (electronic and hard copy) MUST be submitted by the due date. Late submission of EITHER version will result in the late penalty being imposed.

Turnitin submission (if appropriate eg essay, reports, reviews, bibliography etc)

1. Access the Assessment folder on the course Blackboard site
2. Upload an electronic version through the assessment Turnitin site
3. You will be sent a receipt, retain the receipt as proof of submission.
4. If you don't receive a receipt, your assessment wasn't submitted.

Failure to submit both a hard and electronic copy on time will result in the late penalty (10% per day) being applied – late submission of either version will result in the late penalty being imposed.

ﾠ

PLAGIARISM will not be tolerated: You should be aware that the University employs purpose built software to detect plagiarism. It is very important that you understand clearly the practical meaning of plagiarism.

Students are encouraged to read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policy (http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/index.html?page=25128) which makes a comprehensive statement about the University's approach to plagiarism, including the approved use of plagiarism detection software, the consequences of plagiarism and the principles associated with preventing plagiarism.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE (AI)

The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills, and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute 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.

Additional learning resources information

You will be provided with a Practical Manual.

For the pracs you will need to bring a lab coat and a science dissection kit. Both are available from the UQ stationery store.

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.