BIOL2021: Semester 1, 2023

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Units BIOL2021 Semester 1 2023 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

BIOL2021: Zoology

Overview

This unit of study provides an overview of the functional and phylogenetic diversity of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. The material is presented within the conceptual framework of evolution, the foundation of biology. Lectures explore the diversity of major functional systems and behaviour in the context of environmental challenges and the ecological roles of different animal groups. Laboratory classes include dissections and demonstrations of the functional anatomy of invertebrates and vertebrates, as well as experiments. This unit of study provides a suitable foundation for senior biology units of study.

Details

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Unit code	BIOL2021
Unit name	Zoology
Session, year ?	Semester 1, 2023
Attendance mode	Normal day
Location	Remote
Credit points	6

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions ?	BIOL2921 or BIOL2011 or BIOL2911 or BIOL2012 or BIOL2912
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff and contact details

Coordinator	Mathew Crowther, mathew.crowther@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Ashley James W Ward , ashley.ward@sydney.edu.au
	Murray Thomson, murray.thomson@sydney.edu.au
	Frank Seebacher, frank.seebacher@sydney.edu.au
	Mathew Samuel Crowther, mathew.crowther@sydney.edu.au
	Ros Suzanne Gloag, ros.gloag@sydney.edu.au
	Camilla Marie Whittington, camilla.whittington@sydney.edu.au
Administrative staff	Zeinab Hazime

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Online exam Multiple choice questions and short answers	45%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Laboratory book Record of lab activities - marked throughout semester at 3 random times.	15%	Multiple weeks	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Practical Exam Multiple choice questions and short answers	20%	Week 06	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Oral presentation Oral presentation	20%	Week 12	See canvas for details
Outcomes assessed:

Laboratory book: Records of all activates during practical classes must be kept in a dedicated laboratory book (usually an A4 hardcover notebook). This includes drawings, records of data and analyses, graphs, and answers to questions. Laboratory books will be checked randomly during semester and marked. Remote students will submit online
Practical exam: The practical exam will consist of short answer questions on the material that had been examined in the practical class. Material that has been used in the practical classes will be
presented to the student at stations within the laboratory, and the student supplies a short answer to the question. Remote students will do online version with the same learning outcomes
Oral presentation: Students will prepare an oral presentation to be given to the whole class during week 12. The topics for the presentation can be any aspect of Zoology covered during practical classes. Remote students will present via zoom.
Theory exam: The theory exam will consist of multiple choice and short-answer questions that cover any aspect of the lecture and practical material. The exam will be online with ProctorU Record+. This assessment is compulsory and failure to attend, attempt, or submit will result in the award of an AF grade. If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.
Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% / day for lab book

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic honesty, academic dishonesty, and the resources available to all students.

The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic dishonesty or plagiarism seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of dishonesty, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction to paleohistory; 2. Porifera and Cnidaria	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	1. Platyhelmintha and Annelida; 2. Mollusca	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Cnidaria and Porifera	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	1. Nematoda, Tardigrada and Arthropoda 2. More Arthroproda	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Worms	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	1. Echinodermata, Tunicata, Chordata and invertebrate conservation; 2. Fish	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Mollusca	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	1. Amphibia; 2. Reptilia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Arthroproda	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	1. Birds; 2. Mammals	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	1. Muscle function and movement 2. Homeostasis: salt and water balance	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Diversity of vertebrates	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	1. Thermoregulation 2. Cardiovascular dynamics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Cricket locomotion	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	1. Metabolism & temperature control	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Chordata: evolution of vertebrates	Practical (3 hr)
Week 10	1. Simple behavioural responses reflexes and innate behaviour; 2. Learned behaviour	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Decision making in cockroaches	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	1. Physiological basis of behaviour; 2. Ecology of animal behaviour	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	1. Nervous systems; 2. Sensory systems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	1. Endocrine systems; 2. Endocrinology and stress	Lecture (2 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University’s graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. appreciate evidence for evolution and phylogenetic relationships
LO2. recall the names of the major phyla and their major subdivisions
LO3. comment on the important evolutionary, ecological, and morphological features of each phylum
LO4. understand the major physiological and behavioural concepts and how these relate to animal diversity and function
LO5. use field guides and dichotomous keys in the identification of animals
LO6. apply practical skills, such as dissection, in the study of animals
LO7. apply information and computing skills to access appropriate databases and other resources to gather and assess information about animal biology
LO8. develop written and oral communication skills to disseminate knowledge relating to animal biology
LO9. participate in more advanced units of study involving animal biology.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Closing the loop

Cane toad dissection was removed and replaced with a vertebrate diversity lab that doesn't use live animals Canvas updated to be more user friendly

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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