Outline

Overview

Qualified students will participate in alternative components of the BIOL3013 Marine Biology unit. The content and nature of these components may vary from year to year but generally involves an individual or group project, conducted with unit instructors, which takes the place of one of the practical-based assessments.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	An average mark of 75 or above in [12 credit points of BIOL2XXX] or [6 credit points of BIOL2XXX and (GEOS2X15 or MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)]
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	BIOL3013
Assumed knowledge ?	General biology, statistics
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	William Figueira, will.figueira@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Supervised exam Short answer	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 1 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 01	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 2 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 02	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 3 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 03	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Experimental design	Macrophytes data exercise Short responses to specific questions related to the practical activity.	15%	Week 04 Due date: 27 Aug 2025 at 23:59	4 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 4 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 04	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 5 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 05	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 6 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 06	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 7 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 07	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 8 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 08	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 9 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 09	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 10 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 10	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 11 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 11	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Advanced report Report based on data collection and analysis done as part of project.	30%	Week 12 Due date: 29 Oct 2025 at 23:59	8 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 12 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 12	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Data analysis	Fish and reserves data exercise Short responses to specific questions related to the practical activity.	15%	Week 13 Due date: 05 Nov 2025 at 23:59	4 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Week 13 - attendance Attendance and completion of related tasks.	0%	Week 13	3 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Data exercise: Data exercises are intended to assess students’ ability to develop and plan experiments or to manipulate, analyse, visualise and interpret data. Data exercises will typically require responses to a series of specific questions rather than any sort of full scientific report.
Report: Reports are intended give students practice in the full process of writing up scientific data. Students will typically use data derived from specific practicals and will have a hypothesis that they have either generated or has been supplied as part of the practical.
Final Exam: The final exam 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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Macroalgae and the Great Southern Reef	Lecture (1 hr)
	Macroalgae and the Great Southern Reef	Lecture (1 hr)
	Marine macrophytes - 1	Practical (3 hr)
Week 02	Macroalgae and the Great Southern Reef	Lecture (1 hr)
	Macroalgae and the Great Southern Reef	Lecture (1 hr)
	Marine macrophytes - 2	Field trip (4 hr)
Week 03	Introduction to marine environments	Lecture (1 hr)
	Marine diversity	Lecture (1 hr)
	Marine macrophytes - 3	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Marine diversity	Lecture (1 hr)
	Populations	Lecture (1 hr)
	Data analysis and writing	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Populations	Lecture (1 hr)
	Populations	Lecture (1 hr)
	Reef structure and damselfish	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Populations	Lecture (1 hr)
	Populations	Lecture (1 hr)
	Structural complexity - Field	Field trip (4 hr)
Week 07	Sea meets land	Lecture (1 hr)
	Sea meets land	Lecture (1 hr)
	Structural complexity - Lab	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	Sea meets land	Lecture (1 hr)
	Sea meets land	Lecture (1 hr)
	Estuaries	Field trip (3 hr)
Week 09	Sea meets land	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Marine mammals	Lecture (1 hr)
	Marine mammals	Lecture (1 hr)
	Back up field day (only use if another field day gets cancelled due to weather)	Field trip (4 hr)
Week 11	Marine mammals	Lecture (1 hr)
	Marine mammals	Lecture (1 hr)
	Fish & reserves - 1	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	Humans and the sea: fisheries	Lecture (1 hr)
	Humans and the sea: marine reserves	Lecture (1 hr)
	Fish & reserves - 2	Field trip (4 hr)
Week 13	Humans and the sea: climate change	Lecture (1 hr)
	Humans and the sea: urbinisation and ecoengineering	Lecture (1 hr)
	Fish & reserves - 3	Practical (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at all compulsory practicals is required to pass this unit and it is checked using a scanning system on the day. If you miss a practical, please lodge a special consideration application for the practical in question. If you have an excused absence via the special consideration process, you will need to contact the Unit Coordinator to receive instructions about making up the missed content.

While attendance at lectures is not required or checked, you are strongly encouraged to attend. Lectures are recorded and copies of slides made available but neither of these should be taken as complete study guides on their own. The only way to get all the information is to watch every lecture while taking notes. This is certainly most easily done in person, where you can also ask questoins and clarify things you do not understand.

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. describe and discuss the concepts associated with organismal and environmental processes in marine communities
LO2. identify and discuss some of the current topics in marine research
LO3. design and complete experimental and observational research in marine systems
LO4. critically read, evaluate and synthesise information from the primary literature
LO5. conduct analysis of data and communicate your findings concisely and scientifically in both written and graphical forms.

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.

Worked to streamline marking process to provide more timely feedback.

Additional information

Simple extensions

The University Coursework Policy (2021 amended 26 May 2023) on simple extensions (Part14.81 pp 58) is given below for reference.

While this unit of study will follow all University processes around the granting of simple extensions, where Unit Coordinator approval is requried, the only valid reasons considered will include: death of relative, close personal friend or pet; sudden change of carer’s duties due to illness, injury or misadventure. Paid or volunteer employment, other assessments or computer/software malfunctions are not appropriate grounds for simple extensions.

You should plan your work to submit by the stated due date. Do not assume your request will automatically be granted or get in the habit of requesting a simple extension on every assessment.

From University Coursework Policy 2021 (amended 26 May 2023)

81 Simple extensions – tasks other than assignments or examinations

A unit of study co-ordinator, who is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so, may permit a student to submit a non-examination task other than a task to which section 81A applies up to five calendar days after the due date with no penalty.
Such permission is an informal arrangement between the unit of study co-ordinator and the student which does not: (a) affect the student’s entitlement to apply for special consideration under this policy; (b) alter any time limits or other requirements relating to applications for special consideration; or (c) constitute an academic decision for the purposes of the University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021. Note: Any faculty resolution or local provision forbidding the granting of simple extensions is inconsistent with this policy.
In industry and community project units, the project supervisor will have the responsibilities of the unit of study coordinator specified in subclauses 81(1) and 81(2).

81A: Simple extensions – assignment tasks

The provisions of this clause will apply from the beginning of Semester 2, 2022 until the Academic Board determines that it is no longer necessary.
The special considerations unit may permit a student who has suffered illness, injury or misadventure to submit an assignment task up to five calendar days after the due date with no penalty if: Coursework Policy 2021 Page 59 of 103 (a) the student applies for the extension through the special consideration student portal; (b) the assignment is not a group work assignment; (c) the release time of the assignment is greater than 10 working days; and (d) the student provides a declaration in the form prescribed in Schedule 4 of the Assessment Procedures 2011.
An extension under this clause is an informal arrangement which does not: (a) affect the student’s entitlement to apply for special consideration under this policy; (b) alter any time limits or other requirements relating to applications for special consideration; or (c) constitute an academic decision for the purposes of the University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021. Note: Any faculty resolution or local provision forbidding the granting of simple extensions is inconsistent with this policy.
An application for an extension under this clause will not constitute an application for special consideration. A student seeking special consideration must submit a separate application.

Additional costs

Students must make their own way to field sites which may incur a small cost (public transport).

Site visit guidelines

Risk assessments for all field practicals will be made available. Acknowledgement of acceptance of conditions therein will be required as a condition of attendance.

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/

Field Safety Rules and Procedures

You will be provided with a risk assessment for each field trip practical in the class. You are expected to read and abide by its contents.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BIOL3913: Marine Biology (Advanced)

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links