SCI102 Biodiversity and Ecology

What is this course about?

Description

In this course you investigate the nature and diversity of life, from microorganisms and fungi to plants and animals. You explore the mechanism of biodiversity: evolution through natural selection. You also learn how different groups of organisms interact and are dependent on their habitats and each other. You use and expand this knowledge in laboratory classes by observing and describing specimens representing the variety of organisms. You also develop practical skills including scientific drawing, microbial isolation techniques, and the use and construction of identification keys.

How will this course be delivered?

Course Topics

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

ENS102

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

High school level science

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

Details of early feedback on progress

You will receive feedback on your learning of tutorials and labs via weekly online quizzes starting from week 1.

Assessment tasks

Approx. 1 hr each

Approx. 500-1000 words

Approx. 1 hr each

2hr

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

Schedule

Week 1

Learning Material: Course introduction; Origins and patterns of global biodiversity
Tutorial: Evolution by natural selection

Week 2

Learning Material: Bacteria and archaea
Laboratory: Microbial techniques, microscopes and scientific drawing

Week 3

Learning Material: Fungi and protists
Tutorial: The role of ecology in the origin of new species

Week 4

Learning Material: Mosses and ferns
Laboratory: Mosses and ferns

Week 5

Learning Material: Gymnosperms and angiosperms
Tutorial: The role of genes in the origin of new species

Week 6

Learning Material: Invertebrates: Sponges and cnidaria
Laboratory: Gymnosperms and angiosperms

Week 7

Learning Material: Invertebrates: Lophotrochozoa
Tutorial: Extinction and evolution

Week 8

Learning Material: Invertebrates: Ecdysozoa
Laboratory: Arthropods and lophotrochozoans

Week 9

Learning Material: Birds
Tutorial: Where do all the species come from and how do they coexist?

week 10

Learning Material: Chordates
Laboratory: Freshwater biodiversity

Week 11

Learning Material: Population and community ecology
Laboratory: Classification and identification of vertebrates

week 12

Learning Material: Conservation of biodiversity
Laboratory: Population and community diversity

Week 13

Seminar: Course synthesis and exam preparation

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Specific requirements

Lab coat and safety glasses required for laboratory classes.
Personal laptop computer required for Week 12 laboratory classes.

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

• Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
• Review of Assessment and Final Grades
• Supplementary Assessment
• Central Examinations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Conduct
• Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

• UniSC Student Central
• UniSC Adelaide Student Central