ENV BIOL 3122 - Evolution and Palaeobiology of Animals III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course aims to provide advanced understanding of fundamental principles and modern advances in techniques for systematics, evolution and the fossil record, and the application of these to the study of the evolution and conservation of biodiversity. Topics include: evolutionary trees; morphological and molecular systematics, ancient DNA; molecular clocks, speciation, phylogeography, biogeography, phylogenetic approaches to biodiversity, conservation, epidemiology, extinction.

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Course Details

Course Code	ENV BIOL 3122
Course	Evolution and Palaeobiology of Animals III
Coordinating Unit	School of Earth and Environmental Sci(Inactive)
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 5 hours per week
Prerequisites	ENV BIOL 2501
Assessment	Exam, practical reports, laboratory assignments, essay

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Michael Lee

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

A successful student in this course should be able to:

1	understand the important of evolutionary studies as a foundation of comparative biology;
2	examine and understand the methodologies for the reconstruction and interpretation of phylogenetic and biogeogrpahic patterns and processes;
3	understand the importance of the fossil record in evolutionary studies and the role of phylogenetic studies in wider ontext of biodiversity and conservation;
4	demonstrate knowledge of cutting-edge solutions to problems in evolutionary biology related to expertise of the lectures;
5	examine and interpret freshly collected and previously unexamined sediments;
6	demonstrate an understanding of the nature of paleontological data through laboratory work.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1,3,4
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1-4
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	4
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	2,3,5,6
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1-6
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-6
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	4
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	4,5,6

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course will be delivered by the following means:

2 X 1-hour lectures per week
1 X 3-hour practicals/tutorials per week

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

Learning Activities Summary

**Schedule**
	Lectures	Practicals
Week 1	Introduction to course Evolutionary (phylogenetic) trees & Inferring trees part 1 & 2	Morphological characters: hand-analysis of Caminalcules. Demonstration of parsimony analysis, homology, homoplasy, reading trees.
Week 2	Inferring trees part 3 Evolution of the NZ biota	Morphological characters: Parsimony analysis and character mapping using Mesquite (Essay topics announced)
Week 3	Evolution of the NZ biota St Bathans and the origin of the modern NZ fauna	The St Bathans fauna – introductory practical with talk about the locality, history, fauna, and current work. Microscope stations set up with common taxa; students to learn how to identify and recognise common taxa.
Week 4	Ancient DNA and NZ fauna Ancient DNA and palaeoecology	Sorting fossils from sediment, identification, analysis and discussion group
Week 5	Ancient DNA and palaeoecology Ancient DNA and palaeoecology	Sorting fossils from sediment, identification, analysis and discussion group
Week 6	Biogeography and molecular dating – case studies Speciation and species concepts	Sorting fossils from sediment, identification, analysis and discussion group
Week 7	Diversification rates and patterns Forensics and wildlife crime – molecular techniques	Collation of results from all groups, and discussion of overall assemblage obtained over pracs 4-6
Week 8	Monitoring exploited wildlife – molecular techniques V Venom and snake evolution	Discussion and advice with lab leaders for group prac project report, to be written and marked individually.
Week 9	Bioprospecting and antivenoms Understanding diseases using evolutionary trees	Discussion group (individual lecturers to introduce background to their essay topic, and lead group discussion). (time and date can be varied to suit students/lecturers).
Week 10	DNA barcoding – problems and prospects Quantifying biodiversity	Tutorial sessions with lecturers for essay topics (time and date can be varied to suit students/lecturers).
Week 11	Extinction in geological past Current anthropogenic extinctions - phylogenetic insights	Tutorial sessions with lecturers for essay topics (time and date can be varied to suit students/lecturers).
Week 12	Course wind up, overview	Tutorial sessions with lecturers for essay topics (time and date can be varied to suit students/lecturers).

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Type of Assessment	Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes	Hurdle Yes/No	Outcomes being assessed/achieved	Due date
Essay	Formative and Summative	25%	Yes (45%)	1-5	Week after mid-semester break
Practical reports (x 2)	Formative and Summative	15%	No	1,2,4,5	Week 1 & 7
Group Laboratory/Practical assigment	Formative and Summative	10%	No	2,4,6	Due end of Swot Vac
Exam	Summative	50%	Yes (45%)	1-5

Assessment Related Requirements

To pass this course, students must achieve at least 45% in the essay and 45% in the final exam.
The essay is redeemable by way of replacement essay.

Assessment Detail

Essay (25% of total course grade)
To Integrate and evaluate critically the scientific evidence for the particular question in evolution that the essay topic addresses.

Practical Reports: (15% of total course grade).
Practical Reports are project based and are handed in weeks 1 and 7 and assessed promptly to provide continual feedback to students and a sense of progressive accomplishment in the course. Students will receive written feedback on each of the practical reports submitted for assessment.

Group Practical Assignment (10% of total course grades)
To learn practical techniques (e.g. sorting and identifying microfossils) and interpret and discuss raw data in a coherent written report. Students work in groups and the laboratory project but the students submit their individual work and it is marked invidually.

Exam (50% of total course grades)
The final exam is based on content from lectures and practicals.

Submission

Late Submission
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator