ENV BIOL 3122 - Evolution and Palaeobiology of Animals III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

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 Biological Sciences
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 5 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	ENV BIOL 2501
Assessment	Exam, practical reports, laboratory assignments, essay

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Simon Tierney

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 & Parsimony	No Practical.
Week 2	Molecular Phylogenetics & application to conservation	Phylogenetics 1.
Week 3	Functional morphology and biomechanics I; Tuatara & lizards.	Phylogenetics 2.
Week 4	Functional morphology and biomechanics II; biodiversity of Australian lizards.	Reptile Practical 1 - keys, ID, major groups.
Week 5	Biogeography of Australian invertebrates; insights from bees and beetles.	Reptile Practical 2 - tuataras versus lizards.
Week 6	Tertiary vertebrate history of Australia. Quaternary vertebrate history of Aust. & megafauna extinction. Vertebrate taphonomy and analysing animal bones. Megafauna deposits of Naracoorte Caves & recent research.	Osteology. Naracoorte field trip.
Week 7	No lectures, in lieu of field trip.	No practical, in lieu of field trip.
Week 8	No lectures, in lieu of field trip.	No practical, in lieu of field trip.
Week 9	Introduction to ancient DNA. Phylogeography, climate change & ancient ecosystems.	Essay consultation session.
Week 10	Next-Generation DNA sequencing. Human microbiome.	Ancient DNA.
Week 11	New Zealand Palaeoecology & Molecular Clocks. Ancient Humans.	Next generation DNA sequencing.
Week 12	Peopling of the Americas. DNA forensics.	Ancient humans.

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 10
Practical reports (x 1)	Formative and Summative	25%	No	1,2,4,5	Week 8
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.

Naracoorte Practical Assignment (25% 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