Outline

Overview

The content of BIOL2921 will be based on BIOL2021 but qualified students will participate in alternative components at a more advanced level. The content and nature of these components may vary from year to year.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Annual average mark of at least 70 in previous year
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	BIOL2021 or BIOL2011 or BIOL2911 or BIOL2012 or BIOL2912
Assumed knowledge ?	BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mathew Crowther, mathew.crowther@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Ashley Ward, ashley.ward@sydney.edu.au
	Murray Thomson, murray.thomson@sydney.edu.au
	Frank Seebacher, frank.seebacher@sydney.edu.au
	Mathew Crowther, mathew.crowther@sydney.edu.au
	Ros Gloag, ros.gloag@sydney.edu.au
	Camilla Whittington, camilla.whittington@sydney.edu.au
	Nicholas Wu, nicholas.wu@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Online exam Multiple choice questions and short answers	45%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Online submitted laboratory book Marked throughout semester, at 3 random times during the lab	15%	Multiple weeks	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Practical Exam Multiple choice questions and short answers	20%	Week 06	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Scientific Report Literature review or Research Report on specialised topic	20%	Week 13	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
= Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

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
Scientific report: Students will write either a literature review or do a scientific study and submit a short report on the topic.
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+.

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.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see 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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity 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 integrity breaches seriously.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

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. Revision	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	1. Mammals; 2. Muscle function and movement	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Cricket locomotion	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	1. Homeostasis: salt and water balance; 2. Thermoregulation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	1. Cardiovascular dynamics; 2. Metabolism & temperature control	Lecture (2 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	Osmoregulation & anatomy of the cane toad	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	1. Physiological basis of behaviour; 2. Ecology of animal behaviour	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Decision making in cockroaches	Practical (3 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

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

There have been no changes since 2009

Additional information

Science student portal

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/

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

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BIOL2921: Zoology (Advanced)

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links